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China Timeline

Dynasties

China begins

5000 BCE

This is the beginning of China

Xia Dynasty

2100 BCE - 1600 BCE

This is the start of the very first dynasty of China. Stone tools were used and improved during this dynasty. Agriculture and irrigation systems were innovated also.

Shang Dynasy

1600 BCE - 1050 BCE

The Shang Dynasty represented the start of China's Bronse age. During this time, bronse consumption symbolized wealth and riches.

Zhou Dynasty

1046 BCE - 256 BCE

Ruled over China for around 1,000 years. This dynasty ruled in two parts, the earlier Western Zhou and then the Eastern Zhou.

Qin Dynasty

221 BCE - 206 BCE

during the time of the Warring States, Qin was trying to gain dominence over all the other states.

Han Dynasty

206 BCE - 220 CE

Liu Bang was the first emeror of the Han Dynasty and he created a stable government that was much less harsh than Shi Hangdi's. Then Liu's grandson came to power and made improvements to the Great Wall of China.

Six Dynasties Period

220 CE - 589 CE

This was a rather small dynasty that never gets much recognition in today's society.

Sui Dynasty

581 CE - 618 CE

General Wen Ti made a census to organize what land was who's and arrange taxes and such.

Tang Dynasty

618 CE - 906 CE

China's land area expanded and trade flourished on the Silk Road. Art and poetry were also developed during this dynasty.

Five Dynasties Period

907 CE - 960 CE

China, the ceramic type material, was developed during this time. Ink landscapes were made in terms of art in the dynasty.

Song Dynasty

960 CE - 1249 CE

This dynasty was advanced in agriculture, iron working, and printing.

Yuan Dynasty

1279 CE - 1368 CE

Genghis Khan's son established this dynasty and blue and white porcelain was made.

Ming Dynasty

1368 CE - 1644 CE

Workers built the Forbidden City that was a huge palace that had many artifacts inside it during this time.

Qing Dynasty

1644 CE - 1912 CE

This is the very last Chinese dynasty. Trade with Europe continued and painting developed a unique style for it's time.

Republic Period

1912 CE - 1949 CE

This is the time between the People's Republic of China and the last dynasty.

People's Republic of China

1949 CE - December 19, 2012

This is not really a dynasty, but this is what rules China in the present.

Secondary Dynasties

Dynasties inside of dynasties.

Western Zhou Dynasty

1046 BCE - 771 BCE

This was in the Zhou Dynasty and came before the Eastern Zhou.

Eastern Zhou Dynasty

771 BCE - 256 BCE

This is the last part of the Zhou Dynasty after the Western Zhou Dynasty.

Western Han Dynasty

206 BCE - 9 CE

Like the Eastern and Western Zhou Dynasties, the Han Dynasty was split into parts, the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties. This is the first of the two, the Western Han Dynasty.

Eastern Han Dynasty

25 CE - 220 CE

This is the second part of the Han Dynasty.

Three Kingdoms

220 CE - 265 CE

Jin Dynasty

265 CE - 420 CE

Military strength increased and nomadic ethnic groups went to war against the Jin court.

Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties

386 CE - 589 CE

Northern Song

960 CE - 1127 CE

A part of the Song dynasty.

Southern Song

1127 CE - 1279 CE

The later part of the Song Dynasty.

Important Events

Events that are important.

Hunting and Fishing

4000 BCE

At this time, early Chinese families hunted and fished for food.

Settling By Yellow River

4000 BCE - 2205 BCE

Settlers are living by the Yellow River. This is where ancient China originated.

People Drink Tea

2700 BCE

Tea leaves are discovered and made into the delectable drink that Chinese so often drink.

Silk is Discovered and Made

2500 BCE

Silk is made with the cocoons of silk worms. The secret to making silk was guarded very closely and the consequence for revealing it was death.

Bronse Weapons and Tools were Made

1760 BCE

Bronse is discovered and used for weapons and tools. The use of bronse make the person look wealthy.

Writing in Bamboo Books

1100 BCE

Bamboo is used to make paper and can be written in to make books.

Coins are Used

700 BCE

Coins were made and used as a new type of currency for the Chinese to use.

Writings of Lao Zi

700 BCE

Confucius

551 BCE

Confucius was a great Chinese scholar. His idesa and teachings helped sableize the Chinese government.

Confucius Dies at Age 73

479 BCE

The great scholal dies at the age of 73. Even after his death, Confucius' ideas lived on to help the Chinese for years.

Construction of the Great Wall of China Begins

221 BCE

The Great Wall of China was built because it would offer more protection to the Chinese against the Mongols. The Wall was made mostly with packed down earth and gravel. Later brick was used to stengthen the Wall.

Shi Huangdi Becomes First Emperor

221 BCE

Shi Huangdi was the first emperor of China and sent the order for the Great Wall of China to be built.

Shi Huangdi Outlaws the Ideas of Confucius

213 BCE

Shi thought that he had to control the thoughts of his people so he outlawed the ideas of Confucius.

Shi Huangdi Dies

210 BCE

The first emperor of China dies.

Liu Bang Becomes Emperor

202 BCE

This is during the Han Dynasty. Liu made a strong government that served China well.

Silk Road is used to Trade Goods

140 BCE

The Chinese used this road to trade goods with civilizations in Europe such as Rome and Greese. This road sterached over 4,000 miles.

Wudi Takes Chinese Throne

140 BCE

Wudi was Liu Bang's grandson and was sometimes called the "Warrior Emperor".

Buddhism is Introduced from India

100 BCE

Missionaries bring the religion of Buddhism to the Chinese from India.

Wudi dies

87 BCE

The "Warrior Emperor" dies after ruling in the Han Dynasty for more than 50 years.

Sima Qian Dies

85 BCE

Sima Qian was a scholar that wrote history and called it Historical Records.

Paper is Invented

105 CE

This paper was made from wood pulp and types of string.

Han Dynasty Declared Over

220 CE

A warlord, Cao Pei, tried to control China through the emperor. he then declared the Han Dynasty over and established another dynasty that lasted about 50 years.

Islamic Religion Introduced

700 CE

Like Buddhism, the Islamic religion was introduced to China.

Great Wall of China Rebuilt with Stone and Brick

1368 CE

Stone and brick was used to make the Great Wall of China stronger and more durable.

Pu Yi, China's Last Emperor, Leaves the Throne

1912 CE

This was China's last emperor.

People's Republic of China Formed

1949 CE

This is how China is ruled today. Unlike ancient China, this new republic has no emperors.

Terracotta Army Found

1974 CE

An army of small models of warriors was found. These warriors are made of terracotta, a ceramic like substance.