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Chinese Dynasties Chinese Dynasties
Zhou Dynasty Zhou Dynasty

Chinese Dynasties
China was ruled by dynasties, a line of rulers from the same family, for thousands of years. The last emperor was forced from power in 1911, bringing dynastic rule in China to an end.
Dynasty Dates Major events
Xia 2205?-1570? bc agriculture, bronze, first writing
Shang or Yin 1570?-1045? bc first major dynasty; first Chinese calendar, metallurgy, uniform writing code
Zhou 1045?-256 bc developed society using money, iron, written laws; age of Confucius
Qin 221-206 bc unification after period of Warring States, building of Great Wall begun, roads built
Han 206 bc-ad 220 first centralized and effectively administered empire; introduction of Buddhism
Three Kingdoms Period 220-265 division into three states, prolonged fighting and eventual victory of the state of Wei over Chu and Wu; Confucianism superseded by Buddhism and Daoism (Taoism)
Jin 265-317 beginning of Hun invasions in the north
Sui 581-618 reunification; barbarian invasions stopped; Great Wall refortified
Tang 618-907 centralized government; empire greatly extended; period of excellence in sculpture, painting, and poetry
Wu Dai
(Five Dynasties) 		907-959 economic depression and loss of territory in northern China, central Asia, and Korea; first use of paper money
Song 960-1279 period of calm and creativity; printing developed (movable type); central government restored; northern and western frontiers neglected and Mongol incursions begun
Yuan 1279-1368 beginning of Mongol rule in China, under Kublai Khan; Marco Polo visited China; dynasty brought to an end by widespread revolts, centered in Mongolia
Ming 1368-1644 Mongols driven out by native Chinese, Mongolia captured by 2nd Ming emperor; period of architectural development; Beijing flourished as new capital
Qing
(Manchu) 		1644-1911 China once again under non-Chinese rule, the Qing conquered by nomads from Manchuria; trade with the West; culture flourished, but conservatism eventually led to the dynasty's overthrow by nationalistic revolutionaries led by Sun Yatsen
Appears in these articles:
Yuan Dynasty; Tang Dynasty; Qin Dynasty; Sui Dynasty; Ming Dynasty; Qing Dynasty; Song Dynasty; Zhou Dynasty; China; Han Dynasty
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