Chinese History

This is a very brief review of ancient Chinese History in terms of the various dynasties and where possible some brief descriptive phrases. Chinese History is a fascinating and diverse set of histories, and worthy of an extended study. But for purposes of this website, it is enormously condensed into a listing of dynasties.

XIA DYNASTY (Sage Emperors Yao and Shun, Yu the Great; 2205 - 2197 BCE)

SHANG DYNASTY -- Northern China (1700 - 1000 BCE)

Aristocratic, brilliant, luxurious, and savage (human/animal sacrifices). “Emerged with relative suddenness”. Apparently stable for 700 years. Mature and technically perfect bronze culture (from the near east?). Arrived following the fall of the Sumerian Civilization, circa 2000 BCE.

ZHOU DYNASTY -- Northern China (1000 /772/ 481 BCE: Western/Eastern Chou)

King Wu downed Di-xin, first 200 years the golden Age (King Wen=culture); Mandate of Heaven, controlled press, obedience to Gods (see 600 B.C.E.)

SPRINGS AND AUTUMNS period -- Southern China (772 - 481 BCE)

Eight periods, Barbaric, life and limb cheap, philosophy versus war, i.e. Lao-Tzu, et al (604-531 BCE), Tao de Ching, Confucius (580?-479 BCE)

WARRING STATES period (481 - 221 BCE)

Fragmentation of north into Yan, Zhao, and Wei (480-453-340); rise of Qin and Chu (340-280), Qi neutral until overrun by Qin (284-221)

QIN DYNASTY (c.700 - 481 - 221 - 206 BCE)

“Relying on the magical powers of Heaven and Earth”, cyclical rise to power, book burning (213), intellectuals persecuted (211), 1st emperor dies (210).

FORMER HAN DYNASTY (202 BCE - 220 CE) [Nibiru Cycle?]

Tibetan Kingdom formed (150 BCE) (expansionist until 850 CE). Korea annexed (108), conquers central Asiz (101), Wang Mang (9-26 AD), invades Mongolia (91), reconquers central Asia (c. 140), Tibetans become threatening (141), Eunuchs hold real power (175), partition of empire into three parts

THREE KINGDOMS (220 - 280 CE) -- Kingdoms of Wei, Wu and Shu-Han

WESTERN JIN (280 - 316 CE)

Reunification of China until Barbarian invasion forces retreat to Yangtze.

NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN DYNASTIES (316 - 590 CE)

Southern Dynasty: Liu-Song (420-478), Qi (479-501), Liang (502-556)

NORTHERN CHOU (557 - 589 CE)

Founded (557), north China unified (577), brought into Sui Dynasty (589)

SUI DYNASTY (581 - 618 CE)

Generalized uprisings bring Tang to power

TANG DYNASTY (600 - 902 CE)

Central Asia, Korea and Manchuria come under Chinese control by 690, stretching as far as modern Iran. Arab victory in 751. Tibetan Kingdom attacks on Gansu corridor from 763 (after breaking alliance with Chinese) until decisive victory in 791, Tibet’s military expansion of Tibet until 850

FIVE DYNASTIES/TEN KINGDOMS (902 - 960)

Founded by commanders of the military regions

NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY (960 - 1126 CE)

Struggle for influence between conservatives and reformers (1067-1100), The Chin (Jurcheds) take over north China and Yellow River

SOUTHERN SONG DYNASTY (1135 - 1270 CE)

After retreating to Yangtze, form capital at Hangchow, sign peace treaty with Chin (1142), invade Chin after great victory (1162) (Chin attacking north)

JIN (RUZHEN) (1126 - 1225 CE)

YUAN (MONGOL) DYNASTY (1225 - 1368 CE)

Seize Chin capital (1225), allies with Song to destroy Chin Empire (1234), and takes over the whole of China, the last Sung Emperor suiciding (1279)

MING DYNASTY (1368 - 1644 CE)

Construction of Great Wall (1470-80)

QING (MANCHU) DYNASTY (1644 - 1911 CE)

Occupation of Tibet (1731)

REPUBLIC OF CHINA (1912 - 1945 CE)

Kuomintang (1926), Civil War (1927-35), WWII (1935-1945), Taiwan (1949 to Present),

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (1949 CE - Present)

Age of Pisces 600 B.C.E. Chronicles of Earth

Forward to:

Jewish History Some Biblical Law Hinduism

Taoism Lao Tzu, et al History 009

Chinese History

The Library of ialexandriah