History

Sui Dynasty takes over China

581

Yang Jian was a high ranking official in the dynasty before the Sui. When the dynasty dissolved he plotted against and killed others who went for the throne to gain his place at the top. When he got there he declared himself emperor and founded the Sui dynasty

Expansion of the Grand Canal

605

The Grand Canal was built long before the Sui dynasty but they were the ones who grew and expanded it to the huge part of China that it became. The Grand Canal played an essential role in China's history for over a thousand years, fostering trade, communication, and imperial control. The expansion of the Grand Canal is one of the defining achievement of the Sui dynasty.

Tang dynasty takes over China

618

Due to internal weakness and many revolutions across the country the Sui dynasty fell in 617.After the fall of the Sui, Li Yuan quickly moved to take control over China and establish the Tang dynasty. He benefited from widespread support due to his status as a former Sui official and military leader.

An Lushan Rebellion

755

The An Lushan Rebellion was one of the most devastating events in the Tang dynasty. An Lushan became significantly discontent with the Tang and their leaders and accused them of corruption before rebelling. The Tang dynasty was significantly weakened and this was one reason that led to the fall of the Tang dynasty in China.

Invention of Gunpowder

800

China under the Tang dynasty is credited with the invention of gunpowder in the early 9th century. Gunpowder was first used by Chinese alchemists for medicinal purposes or to create fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays. China began using it for military purposes in the 10th century. The spread of gunpowder can be credited to the silk road and Mongol empire as they helped it reach Europe where they expanded on its uses with the development of firearms and cannons that changed warfare forever.

Song dynasty takes over China

960

After the Tang Dynasty fell in 907 AD, China entered a period of division known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. There was much political and cultural chaos at this time. In 1960 Zhao Kuangyin staged a military coup to take control of the throne and China. Many officials approved of his rise to power and saw it as a way to unify the country under the Song dynasty.

The Rise of Neo-Confucianism in China

1130

The Song dynasty saw the rise of Neo-Confucianism which took traditional confucian ideas and combined them with Buddhist or modern ideas. Confucian scholars sought to respond to the growing influence of Buddhism and Daoism so this was seen as a way to unify China. Neo-Confucianism had a profound impact not only on China but also on neighboring countries such as Korea and Japan helping to shape them culturally and politically.

Rise of Feudalism in Japan

1185

The beginning of Feudalism in Japan can be credited to the Kamakura period.The Genpei War ended with the victory of Minamoto no Yoritomo, who established the first shogunate in Kamakura. This marked the beginning of Japan’s feudal age and changed the way of Japanese government for centuries.

Founding of the Mongol dynasty

1206

Genghis Khan was the original founder and emperor of the Mongol dynasty. His leadership and excellent military strategy was a huge reason for the unification of the empire and why they were so successful in years to come. Founding of the Mongol dynasty had huge effects in almost all of Europe in Asia in this period in all aspects of life including trade, economy, culture, and military strategies.

Genghis Khan's Death

1227

Genghis Khan was one of the most successful emperors of this era and his death had great effects on the world. His cause of death is thought to be either illness or a fall from his horse during a military campaign. HIs son became his successor and carried on his mission of expansion and conquest.

Separation of the Mongol Empire

1227

The Separation of the Mongol Empire started after Genghis Khan's death as part of his plan for his succession. He wanted to separate the empire into different Khanates that were ruled by his descendants. This divided happened over the centuries to follow but Genghis Khan's death was the first domino the caused it with other main causes being political differences and the vast area of the empire.

Mongol Conquest of China

1235

The Mongol staged a series of relentless attacks under the leadership of Genghis Khan to take over China. The Conquest were eventually successful and took over the song dynasty and started a new era of unification in China. After these Conquest they entered an era of stability and peace called the pax mongolica that helped a lot of Europe and Asia through the economy and the trade routes.

Marco Polo’s Journey

1271

Marco Polo’s Journey into the Mongol empire for 17 years was a huge part in learning of their ways and culture. Marco Polo, his father Niccolò, and his uncle Maffeo traveled through the Silk Road, passing through regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and into China. Marco Polo’s accounts introduced Europeans to the wealth and sophistication of China, the vastness of the Mongol Empire, and the diversity of Asian cultures.

Founding of Tenochtitlan

Mar 13, 1325

The Aztecs founding of Tenochtitlan is tied to a prophecy of an eagle on a cactus that showed them where they should build their capital city. The city was an engineering wonder as it was built on top of a lake and used the water in and around the city to its advantage using it for trade, transportation, and protection.The city became a center of politics, religion, commerce, and culture, and it was one of the most advanced of its time.

Ming dynasty takes over China

1368

The transition from Mongol rule to Ming rule was a huge process involving uprising, revolutions, and military campaigns that shaped China today. Zhu Yuanzhang became a powerful rebel leader in southern China. With this growing popularity after the Mongol fall he declared himself emperor of the Ming dynasty. The Ming dynasty was very successful and helped China in many ways including the culture, economy, and international trade.

First Voyage of Zhang He

1405

This voyage was the beginning of a series of seven exploratory voyages led by Zheng He. These voyages were to display China's power, extend Chinese influence, and establish better connections with other nations.The first voyage took Zheng He to several important ports in Southeast Asia, as well as to India.

Voyages of Zhang He discontinued

1433

The voyages of Zheng He were effectively discontinued after the 7th voyage in 1433. The belief in China at the time that they were the best and foreign goods couldn't compare as well as the costs of the voyages were the main reason for discontinuation. This would be costly in the future as they would lose their connections in this area and would have huge negative effects on China's economy and trade in the future.

Founding of Machu Picchu

1450

Machu Picchu was founded at the peak of the Inca empire. The purpose of the site is ultimately unknown but is thought to serve as a royal retreat. The engineering and design of Machu Picchu was well ahead of its time including terrace farms invented by the Inca and great architecture for the buildings that were built into the mountains.

Fall of the Aztec empire

1521

Spanish forces led by Hernán Cortés as well as indigenous tribes that were enemies of the Aztecs were the ones who caused the fall of the Aztecs through conquest. After years of back and forth Cortés besieged Tenochtitlan with over 10,000 men for several months the city was finally captured and the Aztec Empire fell. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in the Americas.

Fall of the Inca empire

1572

Huayna Capac, the Inca emperor's death caused a civil war between his two sons for the right to succeed their father as emperor. This war lasted 3 years and weakened the Inca and divided the empire at a time when external threats were looming.These threats came to fruition when the Spanish attempted to conquer the Inca in 1532, the Inca would fight off the Spanish attacks for nearly 4 decades but would eventually be defeated, giving the Spanish much more resources and power in the Americas.