-
1700 BCE
Chinese Bronze Age
The Chinese Bronze Age started around 1700 B.C. and the Shang Dynasty was a major part of the Bronze Age. -
1600 BCE
Shang Dynasty Begins
The Shang Dynasty began sometime around 1600 B.C. The dynasty was polytheistic, but there was a main belief of animism, the idea that everything has a soul. -
Period: 1600 BCE to 1580 BCE
Cheng Tang's Rule
Cheng Tang was the first ruler of the Shang Dynasty, ruling from around 1600 B.C. to 1580 B.C. -
1550 BCE
City States of Shang Form (Ex. Zhengzhou and Anyang)
-
1500 BCE
Mass Production of Bronze
The Shang used mold casting to make the same bronze item over and over again in mass production. They used this to make crossbows and arrows. -
1400 BCE
Earliest Writings in China
The first writings from China were found on bronzes, tortoiseshells, and ox scapulae and are from around 1400 - 1200 B.C. They used oracle bones to record divination. -
1250 BCE
Use of the Chariot in Chinese Warfare
The Shang were the first in China to use the Chariot in warfare. -
Period: 1250 BCE to 1192 BCE
Wu Ding's Rule
Wu Ding is the earliest ruler of the Chinese Dynasties who is confirmed by records. His rule was the golden age for the Shang Dynasty. He strengthened centralized power by controlling sacrificial ceremonies, promoted talented people from all backgrounds, and got rid of the privileges of noble members. -
Period: 1075 BCE to 1046 BCE
Di Xin's Rule
Di Xin was the last ruler of the Shang. He committed suicide after the rebel Zhou state defeated the Shang in the Battle of Muye. -
1046 BCE
Battle of Muye
The Battle of Muye took place between the rebel Zhou state and the Shang Dynasty. The Zhou won, and this marked the end of the Shang Dynasty and the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty. -
1046 BCE
Zhou Dynasty Begins
The Zhou Dynasty began in 1046 after they took over from the Shang. The Western Zhou began to rule. -
1046 BCE
Mandate of Heaven Created
The Zhou used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their overthrowing of the Shang Dynasty. The Mandate of Heaven is the idea that a dynasty had a divine right to rule that was given to him by Heaven or the Gods through signs. -
Period: 1046 BCE to 1043 BCE
King Wu's Rule
King Wu was the first leader of the Zhou Dynasty after he took over from Di Xin of the Shang Dynasty. -
771 BCE
Zhou Capital is Destroyed
The King of Zhou was driven out of his capital, Haojing, due to an uprising from the former vassals. The capital was then destroyed and the capital was moved east to Luoyang. -
Period: 771 BCE to 476 BCE
Spring and Autumn Period of the Eastern Zhou
After the Eastern Zhou took over in 771 B.C., the dynasty's power decentralized, and regional lords began fighting for power. The people were always at war, and the monarchy lost power. -
650 BCE
Invention of the Crossbow
The Zhou invented the crossbow sometime in the 7th Century, and they were used in the Warring States Period. -
551 BCE
Confucius is Born
-
500 BCE
Confucianism Introduced
-
476 BCE
Seven States Emerge
Seven main states emerge out of the Spring and Autumn Period: Qin, Jin, Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, and Qi. -
Period: 476 BCE to 221 BCE
Warring States Period
The Warring States period lasted three centuries in which 7 warring states fought for territory and power. -
400 BCE
Tao Te Ching and Daoism
Laozi writes the Tao Te Ching, which is the root of Daoism. -
221 BCE
Qin Dynasty Begins
The Qin Dynasty began in 221 B.C. when they won the warring states period. They followed Confucius' principles. -
221 BCE
Unified Writing - Chinese Characters
Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the writing systems of China through characters. -
221 BCE
Unified Measurement Systems
Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the measurement systems of China, including lengths, volumes, and weights. -
Period: 221 BCE to 210 BCE
Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Rule
Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first ruler of the Qin Dynasty. -
218 BCE
Start of the Great Wall of China
Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the beginning of the construction of the Great Wall of China in an effort to prevent invasions from barbarian nomads. -
215 BCE
Construction of the Terrocotta Army
Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a Terracotta Army to protect him in the afterlife. -
210 BCE
Mass Revolt in Qin Empire
There was a revolt in the Qin Dynasty which caused its downfall. -
210 BCE
Unified Currency
Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the currency of China with the use of Ban Liang. -
Period: 210 BCE to 206 BCE
Emperor Hu Hai's Rule
Emperor Hu Hai was the son of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and was the second and last emperor of the Qin Dynasty. -
206 BCE
End of the Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty ended as a result of the rebellion against the new emperor. A warlord by the name of Xiang Lu defeated the Qin and split the empire into 18 states before the Han Dynasty took over. -
206 BCE
Han Dynasty Begins
After the Qin were defeated by Xiang Lu, Xiang Lu and Liu Bang fought for the throne. Liu Bang won and started the Han Dynasty. -
Period: 206 BCE to 195
Emperor Gaozu's Rule
Emperor Gaozu, or Liu Bang, was the first ruler of the Han Dynasty. He defeated his rival Xiang Yu in a four-year war and became emperor. -
141 BCE
Confucianism takes over Legalism
Emperor Wu's declared Confucianism the state philosophy over Legalism. -
Period: 141 BCE to 87 BCE
Emperor Wu's Rule
Emperor Wu accomplished many things for the Han, including expanding the empire, opening the Silk Road, and making Confucianism the state philosophy instead of Legalism. -
138 BCE
Opening of the Silk Road
Opened by Emperor Wu for trade between the Western World including the Roman Empire and China. -
100
Invention of Paper
Paper was invented by Cai Lun, the director of the Imperial Workshops. -
132
Invention of the Seismograph
The scientist Chang Heng invented the first seismoscope. -
Period: 192 to 220
Emperor Xiandi's Rule
Emperor Xiandi was the last emperor of the Ha Dynasty. -
220
End of Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty ended when the Chinese warlord and statesmen Cao Cao forced Emperor Xiandi to abdicate.