Timeline: History of China 1400-1915

Ming and Qin dynasties

Period: Mar 5, 1400 to Mar 5, 1915

Zhenghe Expeditions

Mar 5, 1405

Between the years of 1405-1423, Zhenghe led seven major expeditions overseas. Zhenghe was one of Yunglo's most trusted subordinates. The expeditions occurred during the reign of the third Ming emperor, Yunglo.

Ming Decline

Mar 5, 1500

The Ming dynasty began to decline because of weak rulers during the last two centuries of Ming rule. The Ming empire declined also because of official corruption and eunuchs dominating life withing the Forbidden City of the Ming dynasty.

Nurhaci

Mar 5, 1559

Nurhaci was the leader of the Manchu tribes. To have a powerful army, Nurhaci copmbined the Manchu tribes in order to make an eight banner army.

Jesuit Scholars

Mar 5, 1580

A succession of Jesuit scholars spent time in Beijing, part of the Ming dynasty. The Jesuit scholars corrected calendars, made cannons, fixed clocks, and surprised the Chinese scholar-gentry with their ability to predict eclipses. Some Jesuit scholars were Matteo Ricci and Adam Schall.

First Qing Leader

Mar 5, 1616

First Qing leader was named Nurhaci. He was very succesful in controlling the Qing empire. Nurhaci ruled from 1616-1626.

Fall of Ming Government

Mar 5, 1644

An official of the Ming government in charge of northern defenses invited the Manchu nomads inside China. The Ming official wanted the Manchu nomads to help put down a rebellion located near the Great Wall. The effect was that the Manchu nomads advanced on the Ming capital, Beijing.

Manchu's Effects on China

Mar 5, 1644

Around the 16th century, Manchu started to severely affect China, tha land they had conquered. Manchu, or Qing, government lowered the taxes. In the hierarchy, Qing and Chinese were declared to be part of the elite, top class.

Manchu's Go to China

Mar 5, 1644

Manchu's were invited inside the Chinese empire, Ming. After being let inside the Great Wall, the Manchu, later known as Qin, took control over Beijing.

Manchu Called Qing Dynasty

Mar 5, 1700

Near the 17th century, the Manchu regime changed their name to Qing Dynasty. They changed their name before even conquering China.

Christianity Banned

Mar 5, 1744

China wanted to preserve its culture, and so it secluded itself from Christianity influence. China banned all Christian missionaries, not letting them come into the region. It was also a benefit to keep everyone to follow one religion because easier to control people.

Trade in Canton

Mar 5, 1757

China began to get secluded. not wanting any contact with the outside world. China secluded itself because of wanting to preserve their culture. There was small trade in Canton with limitations on what could be bought and sold.

Opium Trade Began

Mar 5, 1773

British merchants introduced opium drug from India into China. The opium drug caused people to get addicted to it especially the wealthy people, who demanded opium. With the imports of opium into China, British able to take power because of China being vulnerable.

Opium Trade

Mar 5, 1830

Early 18th century, Qing emperors tried to stop the trade of Opium. Opium had become a great demand for the wealthy because opium was addicting. In the 1830s, a Qing emperor sent Lin Zexu to destroy opium trade. This enranged the European merchants.

First Opium War

Mar 5, 1839

British and Chinese fought over the trade of opium. Britain wanted to kep selling the opium drug, while the Chinese wanted to stop the exports because of decreasing Chinese economy. China lost the war and had to sign the Treaty of Nanjing.

Taiping Rebellion

Mar 5, 1850

Taiping rebellion was the most severe and stronger one to go against the Qing dynasty. The rebellion was lead by a phrophet named hong Xiuquan. Taiping rebellion began in 1850 to 1860.

Boxer Rebellion

Mar 5, 1900

The Boxers wanted to get rid of all European and Japanese people. The rebellion failed. It resulted in China giving Japanese and European people a formal apology, and China had to pay rebellion costs.

Westerners Take Advantage of China

Mar 5, 1900

Near the 19th century, Westerners took advantage of China because China was already weak. China had become weak from government corruption, economy decreasing, and social unrest. Westerners forced the Chinese markets to become open and were able to control Qing rulers.

Civil Service Exams End

Mar 5, 1905

There was corruption in the civil service exams when Ming dynasty began to decline. There was cheating and bribery involved in the civil service exam system. Wealthy people thought their sons should not have to take the civil service exam because of already being in elite class.

Last Qing Emperor

Mar 5, 1909

Xuantong was the last Qing emperor. Xuantong was the most powerful provincial lords. He was known as Puyi, and he ruled unitl 1912.

Qing Dynasty Decline

Mar 6, 1911

Qing dynasty was defeated in 1911 by underground organizations. Also, corupt governemnt, weak military, food shortages, and cheating in civil service exam systems were part of the reason for Qing decline.