China Timeline

Founded by Emperor Wen of Sui, the Sui Dynasty capital was at Chang'an. His reign saw the reunification of Southern and Northern China and the construction of the Grand Canal.

In this dynasty foot binding became a symbol of status.

Major food source that augmented China's population greatly.

It was the first government in world history to nationally issue banknotes or true paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a permanent standing navy. Also this dynasty is the first known use of gunpowder, as well as first discernment of true north using a compass.

The empire established by Kublai Khan, leader of the Mongolian Borjigin clan, after he conquered Southern Song dynasties in China

The Ming were very isolated and refused to interact with the outside world.

The Ming were capable of taking over Indian Ocean trade but the rulers wanted a more traditional China and withdrew Zheng He and his fleet.

The Qing Dynasty was founded not by Han Chinese, who form the majority of the Chinese population, but by a semi-sedentary people known as the Jurchen.

Long March was a military retreat undertaken by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China. The Communists, under the eventual command of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, escaped in a circling retreat to the west and north, which reportedly traversed some 12,500 kilometers (8,000 miles) in about 1 year.

Japan had become a industrialized powerhouse and decided to invade their rival neighbor.

Led by Mao, this takeover established communism in China.

Its stated goal was to enforce communism in the country by removing capitalist, traditional and cultural elements from Chinese society.

The Gang of Four was the name given to a political faction composed of four Chinese Communist Party officials. They came to prominence during the Cultural Revolution and were subsequently charged with a series of treasonous crimes.

Chinese troops with assault rifles and tanks inflicted thousands of casualties on unarmed civilians trying to block the military’s advance on Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing.