Dynasties in Chinese history

Many Chinese dynasties have ruled the country during its history. China is a society which has had a very long history. This history was affected by the dynasties which have ruled it. They have slowly changed China into its current form.

Dynasties
DynastyRulersRuling House or ClanYearsNameChinesePinyinMeaningThree Sovereigns and the Five EmperorsSān Huáng Wǔ DìAs English(list)various2852-2070 BC782Xia DynastyXiàSummer(list)Sì (姒)2070–1600 BC470Shang DynastyShāngToponym(list)Zǐ (子)1600–1029 BC571Western Zhou DynastyXī ZhōuToponym(list)Jī (姬)1029–771 BC275Eastern Zhou Dynasty
Traditionally divided into
Spring and Autumn Period
Warring States PeriodDōng Zhōu
Chūnqiū
ZhànguóToponym

"Histories"(literally "Spring and Autumns")
"Warring States"(list)

(list)
(list)Jī (姬)

various770–256 BC

722–476 BC
475–221 BC514

246
254Qin DynastyQínUnknown, Possibly Toponym(list)Yíng (嬴)221–206 BC15Western Han DynastyXī HànToponym(list)Liú (劉 / 刘)206 or 202 BC–9 AD, 23-25 AD215Xin DynastyXīn"New"(list)Wáng (王)9–23 AD14Eastern Han DynastyDōng HànToponym(list)Liú (劉 / 刘)25–220195Three KingdomsSān GuóAs English(list)Cáo (曹)Liú (劉 / 刘)Sūn (孫 / 孙)220–265 or 28045Western Jin DynastyXī JìnDucal title(list)Sīmǎ (司馬 / 司马)265–31752Eastern Jin DynastyDōng JìnDucal title(list)Sīmǎ (司馬 / 司马)317–420103Southern and Northern DynastiesNán Běi CháoAs English(list)various386 or 420–589169Sui DynastySuíDucal title(随 homophone)(list)Yáng (楊 / 杨)581–61837Tang DynastyTángDucal title(list)Lǐ (李)618–907289Five Dynasties and Ten KingdomsWǔ Dài Shí GuóAs English(list)various907–96053Kingdom of DaliDàlǐ GuóToponym(list)Duan (段)937–1253316Northern Song DynastyBěi SòngToponym(list)Zhào (趙 / 赵)960–1127167Southern Song DynastyNán SòngToponym(list)Zhào (趙 / 赵)1127–1279152Liao DynastyLiáo"Vast" or "Iron"(Khitan homophone)(list)Yelü (20px; 耶律)907 or 916–1125209Jin DynastyJīn"Gold"(list)Wanggiyan(35px; 完顏 / 完颜)1115–1234119Western XiaXī XiàToponym(list)Li (20px; 李)1038–1227189Yuan DynastyYuán"Great" or "Primacy"(list)Borjigin(; 孛兒只斤 / 孛儿只斤)1271–136897Ming DynastyMíng"Bright"(list)Zhū (朱)1368–1644 or 1662276Qing DynastyQīng"Pure" or "Gold"(Manchu homophone)(list)Aisin Gioro( }; 愛新覺羅 / 爱新觉罗)1636 or 1644–1911268

Xia dynasty
The Xia dynasty lasted from 2070 BC until 1600 BC. It was the first ruling dynasty in Chinese history. The Xia was probably created by emperor Yu the Great. It is not known for certain if the Xia dynasty actually existed. Many people think that the Xia dynasty is only a legend. This is because there is no evidence that can prove that there was some dynasty before 1600 BC. There were found some archaeological excavations from 1500 BC which may come from the Xia dynasty. For example one of the excavations causes archaeologists to believe that the foundations of China were created during the Xia dynasty. Also there are findings of the oldest Chinese calendar called a lunar calendar. Xia dynasty was ended by a dynasty named Shang.

Shang dynasty
The Shang dynasty lasted from 1600 BC until 1046 BC. It started when Tang took control from the last Xia emperor, Jie. The dynasty ended with the suicide of Di Xin.

The Shang dynasty was important for Chinese culture. The first Chinese character fonts were created at this time. They were mainly used by seers and shaman. People made their own ritual vessels, agricultural and craft tools and even weapons. Everything was made of cast bronze.

In agriculture, millets, wheats and rice were the main crops. Mulberries were also grown. They were used to feed mulberry silkworms.

Zhou dynasty
The Zhou dynasty lasted from 1045 BC until 256 BC. The Shangs had became weak because they were always fighting with a neighboring tribes. This was good for the less advanced Zhou. They defeat the Shang in the current town of An-yang. After that, the Zhou dynasty took the government. They ruled for the longest time of all Chinese dynasties.

Zhous were nomadic shepherds from the Shanxi province. The rulers of Zhou dynasty divided the country into four smaller areas. Each of these areas were controlled by relatives and members of aristocracy.  Princes controlled fortified towns with a peasant background. They also helped the rulers at times of war. This form of government allowed the Zhou rulers to control more area.

Notes

References
China Handbook Editorial Committee, China Handbook Series: History (trans., Dun J. Li), Beijing, 1982, 188-89; and Shao Chang Lee, "China Cultural Development" (wall chart), East Lansing, 1984.

Other websites
 Columbia University. Dynasties song sung to the tune of "Frère Jacques" that repeats the major Chinese dynasties in chronological order.

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Category:History-related lists
Category:History of East Asia
Category:History of Central Asia
Category:History of China
Category:Empires in Asia