Chinese Dynasties

By Fricke-Fruean duo
  • 2100 BCE

    Xia

  • Period: 2100 BCE to 1600 BCE

    Xia (Hsai) Dynasty

    This dynasty made one of the first efforts to organize public life in China on a large scale. It was an hereditary state that extended its control over progressively larger regions. Xia was a vigorous state that established a precedent for hereditary monarchical rule in China. The dynasty's founder, the sage-king Yu, has been credited with the organization of the effective flood-control projects. Encouraged the founding of cities and development of metallurgy.
  • 1600 BCE

    Shang

    Shang
  • Period: 1600 BCE to 1050 BCE

    Shang Dynasty

    One of the three main dynasties of china (Xia, Shang, Zhou), that rose to power from the Xia dynasty. characterized by its bronze technology and weapons, walled cities, writing systems in shells, horse-drawn chariots, and their religious practices in divination. the kings of this dynasty used surplus of agriculture to fund multiple things, like political and military operations and allies.
    The Shang empire revolved around local leaders being allies of the king and the moving of the capital.
  • 1046 BCE

    Zhou

    Zhou
  • Period: 1046 BCE to 256 BCE

    Zhou (Chou) Dynasty

    A hierarchical society in which the Zhou house was the center of the class. Certain lords and rulers were given power as rulers of certain domains through the "mandate of heaven". The Zhou stayed together due to its ancestral worship. This system eventually broke down into a war between rival states, known as the Spring and Autumn period. The dynasty also relied heavily on iron metallurgy.
    Rulers of this period relied on multiple courts, which lead to rebellion and its downfall.
  • 221 BCE

    Qin

    Qin
  • Period: 221 BCE to 206 BCE

    Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty

    Marked a unitary system imposed by centralized administration and a standardized writing script, weights and measures. Noted for its harsh methods of rule, which includes suppression of certain thoughts. This dynasty practiced legalism, which mainly focused on the decimation of aristocratic governments and individual rulers.
  • 206

    Han

    Han
  • Period: 206 to 220

    Han Dynasty

    Consolidated the foundation of the imperial order. Confucianism established and civil service examinations were introduced. Capitals near Zhengzhou and Anyang. Governmental bureaucracy grew stronger along with patriarchy. Trade along the Silk Roads increased. A time of peace across China. Government oversaw iron production and maintained canals and irrigation systems. Agriculture improved by the invention of ox-drawn plows, collars, and water-powered mills. Paper manufactured for the first time.
  • Period: 220 to 589

    Six Dynasties Period

    Fragmented era in which the north of China was dominated by invaders from the borderland and the steppes, while the south was ruled by successive "Chinese" dynasties. During this time, Buddhism spread significantly throughout the region. This period was mainly characterized by competing warlords fighting over territory. There was also a process sinicization toward non-Chinese arrivals in the state.
  • 581

    Sui

    Sui
  • Period: 581 to 618

    Sui Dynasty

    Emperors wanted a strong, centralized government. They ordered the construction of palaces and granaries, repaired defensive walls, dispatched military forces to central Asia and Korea, levied high taxes, and demanded compulsory labor services. Constructed one of the world's largest waterworks projects, the Grand Canal. Second emperor, Sui Yangdi, completed construction to facilitate trade between northern and southern China which later on established a foundation for political + cultural unity
  • Period: 618 to 906

    Tang (T'ang) Dynasty

    Height of cosmopolitan and cultural beauty in which boundaries of certain aspects of the culture were explored. This was also the height of Buddhism until the decline of it around 845 bce in China. There was vast exploration until defeat met by the Arabs in Talas of 725 bce. Brought inventions like woodblock printing, flourished poetry until the fall due to rebellion. Tang Taizong was an ambitious and ruthless emperor.
  • 960

    Song

    Song
  • Period: 960 to 1279

    Song (Sung) Dynasty

    During this time, there was a large amount of economic and social changes. The economy started to monetize and the growth in commerce and maritime trade are some of these examples. Urban expansion and technological advancements also occurred during this time. Here, an examination system was made for the recruitment of those for the neo-Confucianism movement. This was supposed to help define political and social order during the imperial age. Song Taizu was the first emperor.
  • 1279

    Yuan

    Yuan
  • Period: 1279 to 1368

    Yuan Dynasty

    Established by Mongol nomads that ruled portions and eventually all of China. Genghis Khan unified Mongolians and Kublai Khan reigned. Featured a centralized bureaucracy, political subdivisions, and a rationalized taxation system. Rebuilt the Grand Canal and put the roads and postal stations in good order. New cultural achievements including the novel as a literary form and ceramics. Emphasis on pictorial art and traditional craft arts.
  • 1368

    Ming

    Ming
  • Period: 1368 to

    Ming Dynasty

    The first emperor, Hongwu, laid basis of an authoritarian political structure. This dynasty made the country into and inward-looking state with an emphasis on being based an agrarian base. Gradual burgeoning of the commercial sector caused important changes in the economy. Agriculture was the major source of the state finance until the development of handicraft industry promoted market economy and urbanization. The "Journey to the West" represents the vast literary scene during this time.
  • Period: to

    Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty

    Last of the imperial dynasties of China. Population grew immensely during that time. Integrated national economy was established. Commerce continued to thrive, handicraft industries prospered, and Roman Catholic missionaries were tolerated and employed as astronomers and artists. Painting, printmaking, and porcelain manufacturing flourished alongside scientific methods of philology.
  • Period: to

    Republic Period

    Following the dynasty system that collapsed in 1911, this period had a weak central government. Science and democracy was influenced by western cultures during the new cultures movement. Japanese influence and domestic revolts stopped the country from being controlled by a nationalist government. These nationalists fled to Taiwan after communism took over the country. This republic was established after the Xinhai revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty, ending imperial rule of China.

  • People's Republic of China

    People's Republic of China
  • Period: to

    People's Republic of China

    Largest of all Asian countries and has the largest population in the world. Beijing is the capital and also the cultural, economic, and communications center of the country; Shanghai is the main industrial city; Hong Kong is the leading commercial center and port. China is unique among nations in its longevity and resilience as a discrete politico-cultural unit. Known as an ethnically homogeneous country because the great majority of the population is Chinese (Han).