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Chinese Dynasties and Major Events Under Them
Dynasty
| Period of Rule
| Major Events
|
---|---|---|
Hsia
| 1994-1523 B.C.
| Agriculture, bronze, first writing
|
Shang or Yin
| 1523-1027
| First major dynasty; first Chinese calendar
|
Chou
| 1027-255
| Developed society using money, iron, written laws, age of Confucius.
|
Qin
| 255-206
| Unification after period of Warring States, building of Great Wall begun, roads built.
|
Han
| AD 206-220
| First centralized and effectively administered empire; introduction of Buddhism
|
San Kuo (3 Kingdoms)
| 220-265
| Division into three parts, prolonged fighting and eventual victory of Wei over Chu and Wu;Cunfuciusm superseded by Buddhism and Taoism.
|
Tsin
| 265-420
| Beginning of Hun invasions stopped; Great Wall refortified.
|
Tang
| 618-906
| Centralized government; empire greatly extended; period of excellence in sculpture, painting and poetry.
|
Wu Tai (5 Dynasties)
| 907-960
| Economic depression and loss of territory in Northern China, central Asia and Korea; first use of paper money
|
Sung
| 960-1279
| Period of calm and creativity; printing developed (movable type); central government restored; Northern ad Western frontiers neglected and Mongol incursions begun.
|
Yüan
| 1260-1368
| Beginning of Mongol rule in China, under Kublai Khan; Marco Polo visited China; dynasty brought to an end by widespread revolts, centred 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.
|