Chinese
Dynasties Timeline
Xia Dynasty 2033-1562
BC
Shang Dynasty 1562-1066 BC
The Shang dynasty was based in the
Yellow River basin. During this period new skills such
as writing and metalworking developed. The later period
of this dynasty was documented by inscriptions on divination
bones excavated in the 1920's. Zhou Dynasties 1066-256 BC
Western Zhou Dynasty 1066-771 BC
Eastern Zhou Dynasty 770-256 BC
-Spring & Autumn Period 770-476 BC
-Warring States Period 475-221 BC
The longest-lived of the Chinese
dynasties.
The Early Empires 221 BC - 220 AD
Qin Dynasty 221-207 BC
Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD
-Western Han 206 BC - 8 AD
-Eastern Han 25-220 AD
The first Emperor Qin Shihuangdi unifies
feudal states thus creating the Chinese empire. Fourteen
years later the
Qin
dynasty collapses and the Han dynasty is established. Also:
-The Great Wall of China begins construction.
-The terracotta army of the first emperor of China Qin Shijuangdi
begins construction.
-Paper is invented during the Han Dynasty
-Chinese stone sculpture first appears in the Han Dynasty.
-Buddhism first appears in China in the 1st century AD.
The Three Kingdoms 220-280
Wei Dynasty 220-265
Shu Han Dynasty 221-263
Wu Dynasty 222-280
Western Jin Dynasty 265-317
Eastern Jin
Dynasty 317-420
Sixteen Kingdoms 304-420
The Three Kingdoms and the start of
disunion in which China is divided into Northern and Southern
Dynasties. This was a period of warfare and diplomacy as
each of the three kindgoms fight for supremacy.
The Southern Dynasties 420-588
Song Dynasty 420-479
Qi Dynasty 479-502
Liang Dynasty 502-557
Chen
Dynasty 557-589 The Northern Dynasties 386-581
Northern Wei Dynasty 386-584
Eastern Wei
Dynasty 534-550
Western Wei Dynasty 535-556
Northern Qi Dynasty 550-577
Northern Zhou Dynasty 557-581
Sui Dynasty 581-618
Tang Dynasty 618-907
The Five Dynasties 907-960
Later Liang 907-923
Later Tang 923-936
Later Jin 936-946
Later Han 947-950
Later Zhou 951-960
Song Dynasties 960-1279
Northern Song Dynasty 960-1127
Southern
Song Dynasty 1127-1279
Liao Dynasty 916-1125
Western Xia Dynasty 1032-1226
Jin Dynasty 1115-1234 Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368
The Ming Dynasty 1368-1644
The Ming Dynasty restores the Chinese
imperial tradition after nearly a century of Mongol rule.
The imperial capitol is moved from Nanking to Beijing and
the Forbidden City is built. Also:
-China leads the world in maritime
expedition.
-The Temple of Heaven is built.
-The first Europeans enter the Forbidden City.
-The imperial kilns in Jingdezhen are established during
the late 14th century. The Qing Dynasty 1644-1911
From prosperity in the early Qing
to the fall of imperial China. Also:
-Large scale commercial expansion
and trade with the West begins.
-The Opium War begins (1840-1842)
-After 2000 years the imperial system collapses.
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