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Ancient China

  • Period: 2205 BCE to 1575 BCE

    Xia (2205-1575 BC)

    The first dynasty in china, very little is known about the Xia.
  • Period: 1570 BCE to 1045 BCE

    Shang (1570-1045 BC)

    The Shang ruled much of the area along the Yellow River. Their last capital city was the great city of Yin.
  • Period: 1045 BCE to 256 BCE

    Zhou (1045-256 BC)

    The longest longest ruling dynasty in history of China, the Zhou first used Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. Much of the land was ruled by feudal lords who were relatives of the Zhou family.
  • Period: 589 BCE to 618 BCE

    Sui (589-618 AD)

    The Sui unite China again under one rule. They also expanded the Great Wall and Built the Grand Canal.
  • Period: 222 BCE to 581 BCE

    Six Dynasties (222-581 AD)

    A period of time where China was not united under a single leader.
  • Period: 221 BCE to 206 BCE

    Qin (221-206 BC)

    The beginning of the Chinese Empire, Shi Huangdi became the first Chinese Empire. Although this was a short dynasty much was accomplished including the beginning of the Great Wall.
  • Period: 206 BCE to 220 BCE

    Han (206-220 BC)

    The Han dynasty established the civil service to create a strong and organized government. Paper and porcelain were also embraced Confucianism, poetry, and literature.
  • Period: 618 to 907

    Tang (618-907)

    A period of peace and prosperity the Tang rule is sometimes known as the Golden Age of Ancient China.
  • Period: 907 to 960

    Five Dynasties (907-960)

    A peasant rebellion takes down the Tang dynasty and ushers in a period of division.
  • Period: 960 to 1279

    Song (960-1279)

    Reunited under the song, China becomes a world leader in science and technology including inventions such as gunpowder and the compass.
  • Period: 1279 to 1368

    Yuan (1279-1368)

    After the Mongols defeated the Song in a long war, Kublai Khan< a Mongol leader, established the Yuan dynasty.
  • Period: 1368 to

    Ming (1368-1644)

    The last of the great Chinese dynasties, the Ming finished the Great Wall and Built the Forbidden City, an enormous palace for the Emperor. The Ming came into power by overthrowing the rule of the Mongols.