Dynasties of Imperial China- Timeline

Dynasties of Imperial China- The World's longest empire.

Shang (1650-1027 BC)

Shang was China's first great dynasty

They ruled much of the area along the Yellow river.

Their last capital was the great city of Yin

Zhou (1027-256 BC)

It was the longest ruling dynasty in China and the Mandate of Heaven was first used. Much of the land was ruled by 'Feudal lords" who were relatives of the Zhou family

The Shang and Zhou dynasties are known for their use of jade, bronze, horse-drawn chariots, ancestor worship, highly organized armies, and human sacrifice.

This was also the time chopsticks were invented.

Warring states period(481-221 BC)

After the Zhou Dynasty, great lords fought for power which resulted lots of battles and many men being killed.

Qin (221-207 BC)

This was the beginning of the Chinese empire Shi Huang Di was the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty and all of China. He built the Great Wall and invented many standards (such as weight), roads and writing.

This is the dynasty that created bureaucracy and the spy system and also the dynasty that ended the Feudal System.

Han(207 BC-220 AD)

The Han dynasty established the civil service that created a strong government.

This is the dynasty that created the "Silk road" (the trade routes across allowed easier trade with the Roman Empire. ) and started the system of public schools in China.

Period of Disunity

(221-589)

China was divided into separate states, but was briefly united the Western Jin Dynasty.

Sui(589-618)

The Sui reunited the China under one rule. The Great wall was rebuilt and the Grand Canal was built, which improved communications

Tang(618-906)

The Chinese empire expanded greatly, and it was a time of prosperity and cultural renaissance in where art and trade was successful.

5 dynasties(907-960)

China was divided to North and South. Part of Northern China was under foreign rule, but the South was divided into a lot of small states and prospered culturally and economically

Song(960-1279)

China was united once more under Song, and became a world leader in science and technology.

Yuan(1279-1368)

Yuan Dynasty was established by the Mongols, who conquered China at that time.

Ming(1368-1644)

Ming Dynasty was last of the Great Chinese Dynasties, the Ming finished the Great wall and built the Forbidden City, a huge palace for the Emperor. Fan were invented during this period.

The last dynasty

Qing(1644-1912)

The Chinese collapsed under the Qing Dynasty, and China's technology fell behind the other countries. Eventually in 1911, the Chinese overthrew the weakened Qing government and formed a republic.

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Kate Kim and Ho-Young Whang 08HU104