dynasty timeline

By Steeljacewillow
  • Period: 2070 BCE to 1600 BCE

    Xia dynasty

    This legendary dynasty was never confirmed to exist due to the lack of writing during this time period. It was founded by Yu the great.
  • Period: 1600 BCE to 1100 BCE

    Shang dynasty

    The earliest recorded dynasty, used an early version of the modern Chinese language, made many advancements in both math and astronomy, as well as having one of the earliest recorded calendars. ended when a corrupt member of the Shang dynasty was overthrown by the Zhou dynasty due to "no longer being in the mandate of heaven.
  • Period: 1100 BCE to 256 BCE

    Zhou dynasty

    Many popular scholars in China, such as Lao-tzu, Confucius, and Sun-tzu all came from this era, as it was one of the longest dynasties in China's long history. The Zhou kings were also the first to come up with the concept of the mandate of heaven, which they used to get the Shang out of power and themselves in power. Philosophical schools and philosophy as a whole thrived. Culture and Civilization flourished and expanded. the dynasty ended with the warring states period.
  • Period: 221 BCE to 206 BCE

    Qin dynasty

    this dynasty had only one ruler, Qin Shi Huangdi. despite this, he and the Qin dynasty as whole are easily one of the most controversial dynasties. He was very oppressive and used a system of Legalism, the belief that everyone is evil and nobody should have free will. Anyone who commited even a minor crime or spoke up about the cruelty would be executed or sent to work on the great wall or the emperor's tomb for the rest of their lives.
  • Period: 206 BCE to 220

    Han dynasty

    The Han dynasty was appointed as a replacement for the Qin dynasty after it was overthrown when Qin Shi Huangdi died. this was always said to be the golden age of China, a period of stability and prosperity after the Qin dynasty. This dynasty was also one of the first to record medicine, and many people still identify as Han Chinese. This dynasty introduced many foreign cultures such as Buddhism, and it was the first time China fully extended into China proper.