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6000 BCE
Domestication of Rice
Start of agriculture which will later allow for settled civilizations. -
2200 BCE
Xia Dynasty Starts
Gained control of the Yellow River region in northern China -
1766 BCE
Shang Dynasty Begins
Spreads area further than the Xia dynasty had as populations grow and ability of agriculture and structure allows for more.
Bronze metallurgy, and chariots arise much like other civilizations.
Cities began, some even walled off for the king. -
1122 BCE
Zhou Dynasty
Created the mandate of heaven to justify their rule since they had taken over from the Shang Dynasty. Gave rulers divine power but also meant their rule had to be just or their dynasty could be toppled. Much like Europe's divine nature of rulers from the Popes blessing. Stylized and abstract pictographs as their writing developed, much like the Egyptians which allows for expression through literature and eventually theology. -
403 BCE
Period of Warring States
A chaotic time that promoted theology like Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. Gave China the focus on harmony that sets them apart from more violent states. -
221 BCE
Qin Dynasty
Used legalism to bring order by using strict policies and centralized imperial rule like that of other successful states like Greece. Expanded their area of rule until the first emperor could claim that title. Standardized laws, measurements, writing, and built roads to encourage trade -
206 BCE
Han Dynasty
Liu Bang took over with his troops and reestablished order through Legalism and divided China into administrative districts to help keep everything in order, just like in Rome but more peaceful among each other. Established an imperial university that used Confucian principles and an exam system to be able to get into government positions. Xiongnu nomads started to be a problem raiding villages. Rise of sericulture or silk and as such trade on the 'Silk Road' -
102 BCE
Han Wudi opens the way for Silk Road trade
Campaign to pacify the Xiongnu that allows for safer trade. Also builds roads to facilitate the trade and allow for cultural spread. -
580
Sui Dynasty
Yang Jian returns imperial rule after a period of disunification. Made ambitious construction projects and military campaigns. Built the Grand Canal to link China together. -
610
Tang Dynasty
Tang Taizong created an effective government that brought an era of stability. Improved infrustructure, created a postal system, and made the burocracy a meritocracy. Also redistributed the land based on the equal-field system. Revived the tribute system which ended up fostering trade and uniting most of East Asia. -
960
Song Dynasty
Took over from the warlords that came up from a lack of dynasty. Did not trust the military and expanded the bureaucracy. Nomadic Jin reduced them to the Southern Song -
1185
Samurai
Lords controlled lands and had no use for bureaucracy so they were emplemented. Took care of most affairs and lived off of surplus from the peasants. -
1206
Yuan Dynasty or Mongols
Started off by taking the two different parts of China at the time. A huge empire that spread over almost all of Asia and parts to Europe. Also the Time of Marco Polo. They got pushed out by the Chinese first although they had other territories. -
1274
Mongols fail to conquer Japan
Forced to fall back due to a tsumai. Also happened in 1281 -
1300
Epidemics
The plague ravages Eurasia and outbreaks continue for awhile. May have taken out a third of the population and virtually killed trade systems. -
1371
Ming Dynasty
Founded by the one that removed the Mongols, Chu Yuanchang. Was a bigger time of literature and education, and another resurgence of the tribute system. Had strong Navy at the time but ran out of funds after helping with a war. -
Japan Reunited
Toyotomi Hideyoshi took over rival areas until he had full control. Even confiscated weapons of all peasants and had a large castle built. -
Imjin War
Horrific war between Japan and Korea as Japan tried to take over. Samurai took body parts as trophies and sent them home. -
Manchu Dynasty
Invaders that created a syncretic culture with the Chinese. Created the Grand Council which regulated all affairs. Later accepted trade with the west. -
Japans isolation begins
Shogunate forbide traveling abroad and limits trade solely to China. -
Japan trade opens
Commodore Mathew Perry forced their government to limitedly open ports for international trade. -
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To equalize timelines