Terracotta army

Ancient China Dynasties

By SWAGGERJ103
  • Period: 2205 BCE to 1575 BCE

    Xia (2205-1575 BC)

    The very 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 was the great city of Yin.
  • Period: 1045 BCE to 256 BCE

    Zhou (1045-256 BC)

    The longest ruling dynasty in the history of China, the Zhou first used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. Much of the land was ruled by feudal lords who were relatives of the Zhou family.
  • Period: 221 BCE to 206 BCE

    Qin (221-206 BC)

    The start of the Chinese Empire, Shi Huangdi became the first Emperor of China. Though this dynasty was short much was achieved with the beginning of the Great Wall; standards were set for weights, measures, and money. Many roads and canals were built. All of these advancements were used to make the future Chinese dynasties stronger.
  • Period: 206 BCE to 220

    Han (206 BC-220 AD)

    The Han dynasty established the civil service to create a strong and organized government. The Han also embraced Confucianism, poetry, and literature.
  • Period: 589 to 618

    Sui (589-618 AD)

    The Sui unite China again under one rule. They also expanded the Great Wall and built the Great Canal.
  • Period: 618 to 907

    Tang (618-907 AD)

    A period of peace and prosperity, the Tang rule is sometimes known as the Golden Age of Ancient China. Arts, literature, and technology all flourished. The capital city Chang'an becomes the world's largest city.
  • Period: 960 to 1279

    Song (960-1279 AD)

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

    Yuan (1279-1368 AD)

    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 AD)

    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.