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206
Pre-Common Era Dynasties
There were several dynasties before the Common Era. These include the Xia dynasty (circa 1600-1050 BCE), the Zhou dynasty (circa 1046-256 BCE), and the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE). The Qin was the first imperial dynasty of China. -
Period: 206 to 220
Han Dynasty
The Han dynasty was founded by Liu Bang, the rebel leader that defeated the Qin dynasty, who would later be known as Emperor Gaozu of Han. The Han dynasty saw a great resurgance in the population of the empire which also led to economic prosperity. Part way through the Han dynasty the throne was temporarily usurped by Wang Mang. This divided the dynasty into three parts, Western Han, Xin dynasty, and Eastern Han. -
207
The Mandate of Heaven
The Mandate of Heaven was the belief that Heaven itself selects an emperor to rule over China. If an emperor's reign is fraught with natural disasters or overall poor decisions then it is believed that they had lost the Mandate and should no longer rule. -
Period: 220 to 265
Three Kingdoms Rule
The Three Kingdoms period is considered to be one of the bloodiest in Chinese history. The three kingdoms in question were the states of Wei, Shu, and Wu. The three states organized a stable military arrangement in an attempt to hold power during a tumultuos time. This alliance would be shattered, however, with the Wei conquest of the Shu and the Jin conquests of the Wei and Wu. -
Period: 220 to
Six Dynasties Period
The six dynasties for which the period was named were the Eastern Wu (222-280), the Jin (265-420), the Liu Song (420-479), the Southern Qi (479-502), the Liang (502-557), and the Chen dynasties (557-589). This period immediately followed the fall of the Han dynasty and was mostly wrought with warfare and instability. Despite this Buddhism flourished during this time. -
Period: 265 to 420
Jin Dynasty
The Jin empire began when Sima Yan ousted emperor Cao Huan and became known as emperor Wu. The Jin conquered Eastern Wu in 280, unifying China, however continuing conflicts broke the unification after just 10 years. Once the second Jin emperor, emperor Hui, came into power a number of imperial princes began the War of the Eight Princes in an effort to gain power. During this war the capital, Luoyang, and the emperor were captured along with the emperor's successor Emperor Min. -
Period: 420 to
Northern & Southern Dynasties Period
This dynastic period was one fraught with turmoil as it involved many, constantly changing, dynasties warring with one another. The northern dynasties involved include the North, East, and West Wei, the North Qi, and the North Zhou. The southern dynasties were the Liu Song, the Southern Qi, the Liang, and the Chen dynasty. Despite the stalemate in power amongst these dynasties it was still a prosperous time for art, culture, religion, and technology in China. -
Period: Jan 1, 1127 to Mar 19, 1279
Southern Song
The Southern song empire found great success in foreign trade, because of this they were able to fund a naval force strong enough to repel the Jin empire's attacks. The Song made another grave mistake in their choice of allies when they paired with the Mongols to defeat the Jin empire. After their success the Mongols turned on the Song and over time conquered them. -
Period: Mar 19, 1279 to Sep 14, 1368
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan empire was established by Kublai Khan who led the attack on the Song empire. Kublai Khan initiated the use of paper banknotes in China, leading to some success in trade. Kublai also attempted to invade Japan twice, with costly defeats as a result. Over time the Yuan dynasty became less Mongolian and more bureaucratic in style. This change combined with a number of natural disasters eventually led to the removal of the Yuan empire. -
Period: Jan 23, 1368 to
Ming Dynasty
Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew the Yuan empire and established the Ming dynasty in 1368. Zhu did so on the basis that the Yuan lost the Mandate of Heaven believing that the numerous natural disasters were an indicator of a loss of favor with the gods. The Ming empire grew financially by way of an open market. Their success was earned by having merchants exchange silver for licenses to trade salt, leading silver to become the main coffer of the empire. -
Period: to
Qing Dynasty
The Qing was the last great empire to rule over China. The Qing empire came about when the Manchus, Jurchens, and Mongols formed a great offensive against the previous Ming empire and swept through the nation, conquering all. The first emperor of the Qing dynasty was emperor Shunzhi, a child of 5 at the time who was assisted by a regent, Dorgon. The Qing empire eventually saw it's end due to it's isolationist policies preventing it from advancing with other country's technology. -
Period: to
Republic Period
The republic of China was formally established on January 1st, 1912, as a result of the Xinhai Revolution. The republic replaced the Qing Dynasty, putting an end to over two thousand years of imperial rule over China. In 1949 a communist takeover of China occurred leading to the founding of the People's Republic of China. This group claims to be the sole legitimate government of China and still holds power to this day -
Formation of the People's Republic of China
The communist takeover of China is successful leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China. -
Assassination of Emperor Yang of Sui
Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty was killed on this day by his general Yuwen Huaji as a result of a number of revolts that had thrown northern China into turmoil. His death effectively ended the Sui dynasty, -
Period: to
Sui Dynasty
The Sui dynasty was one of the shorter lived dynasties. The empire was founded by emperor Wen of Sui. Both he and his successor, Emperor Yang, sought to reduce economic inequality through the equal-field system. The dynasty met its end after a series of disastrous military campaigns against Goguryeo, a powerful Korean kingdom, and several revolts that lead to the assassination of emperor Yang in 618. -
Period: to
T'ang Dynasty
The T'ang empire was the second largest and longest lasting empire in China only after the Han empire. The empire was founded by the Li family upon seizing power from the decline of the Sui empire. The Tang dynasty was one of great progress and stability, during this time woodblock printing was developed. -
Period: to
Five Dynasties Period
This period was one of great upheval as power shifted between empires. There were five dynasties that briefly ruled in rapid succession, they were the Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou. There were also ten kingdoms that found power in this time which were the Wu, Wuyue, Min, Chu, Souther Han, Former Shu, Later Shu, Jingnan, Southern Tang, and Northern Han. -
Period: to Mar 19, 1279
Song Dynasty
The Song dynasty is divided into two parts, the Northern Song and Southern Song dynasties. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1127
Northern Song
The Northern Song dynasty began with the reign of Emperor Taizu. Emperor Taizu set forward a policy wherein most government officials had to pass the imperial exam and become Confucian literati. Because of this he ensured that government officials were intelligent and capable. The war against the Liao empire would be the Song's undoing as their ally in the war, the Jurchens, would betray them upon their victory. The Jurchens captured the emperor and most of the clan.
