Ancient China Timeline by Nola Photikarmbumrung

Shang dynasty (1700-122 BCE)

nolaphotikarmbumrung — 2024-03-05 19:16:59 UTC

The bronze age began 1700 BCE in ancient China. This is when men learned how to mine copper & tin to make bronze weapons. The discovery of bronze changed many things. For example, miners and craftsmen were needed to mine tin and copper, and to make bronze weapons. That meant farmers had to learn how to produce more food than they needed because not everyone was farming. That meant weavers and potters were needed to clothe the miners and craftsmen, and to provide pottery containers to the farmers to use to store food.

Zhou dynasty (1045-256 BCE)

nolaphotikarmbumrung — 2024-03-05 19:42:25 UTC

The first ruling was Shang. The Shang was known for their use of bronze, chopsticks, jade, silk, spices, oracle bones, and a system of writing.

The kingship was abnormal instead of going from father to son it went from brother to brother.

Clan leaders in various cities during both the Shang and Chou Dynasties were always fighting each other for control of land and cities. Each city was protected by a huge wall made of strong clay brick. A wall might be 30 feet high and 65 feet deep. Some walls ran for miles.

Warring States Period(700-221 BCE)

nolaphotikarmbumrung — 2024-03-05 20:10:41 UTC

The Han dynasty, whose empire marked the high point of ancient China history, fell in 220 CE. It was followed by almost three centuries of division, invasion and, in the north, barbarian rule. Unlike the western Roman empire, however, the fall of the Han empire did not lead steep decline in material civilization.The trade and industry have expanded, towns and cities have grown, education has spread and technological innovation has continued for example, the Chinese have developed steel by this date, centuries before other parts of the world.

Confucianism and Daoism Developed (500 BCE)

nolaphotikarmbumrung — 2024-03-06 19:13:17 UTC

Confucius was born around 551 BC in Zhou times. Although there was one ruling family, the real power was in the hands of local warlords. Each warlord ruled a feudal state. Aristocrat scholars, called shi, traveled from one feudal state to another, offering advice on everything from politics to weddings to war. The most famous shi was Confucius. His parents were nobility, but had become poor when the empire fallen apart into feudal states. When he was about 15 years old, he became quite interested in learning. In those days, only the nobility and royals were allowed education. All the teachers were government officials. It was hard for him to find a way to learn. To solve this, he went to work for a nobleman. This gave him the opportunity to travel to the imperial capital. Confucius studied and learned until he probably was the most learned man of his day. People heard of his knowledge and sent their sons to study with him. He was the first private teacher in China.

Legalism Developed (250 BCE)

nolaphotikarmbumrung — 2024-03-06 19:22:37 UTC

Empire Qin, was a legalist. In ancient China Qin accomplished many things he united China, built the great wall,and organized a system of weights and measurements.

He established laws that were the same for all people. But, he did not accomplish things kindly. Much of his rule was cruel. It was illegal to whine about Qin’s government. If you said that things could improve, you could be put to death. Emperor Qin was a legalist and ran his dynasty with absolute control and extreme and harsh punishment.

Qin Dynasty (221-210 BCE)

nolaphotikarmbumrung — 2024-03-06 19:28:47 UTC

The Qin Dynasty only lasted for 15 years. Yet it is one of the most famous dynasties in ancient Chinese history. Emperor Qin ran his dynasty with absolute control. Punishment for those who disagreed with him was swift and harsh. You could be put to death simply by suggesting another way to do things. There was only Qin's way. It was not enough to have two people in charge of each little piece, so that they could keep an eye on each other. Qin also developed a spy system, so that all people kept an eye on each other. Spies were rewarded very well.Qin put some people to work building bridges, roads, canals, and systems of flood control. The people he assigned to do this work either did the work they were assigned to do quickly and well, or they were killed or sent to work on the wall.

Han Dynasty(206 BCE-220 CE)

nolaphotikarmbumrung — 2024-03-06 19:32:34 UTC

One of the most important was the trade that had begun with ancient Rome via the "silk road". There was a demand in the Roman Empire for Chinese silk. That brought new wealth into China, along with gold, silver, and precious gems.Another was the invention of paper. Paper changed everything! Scroll painting began. Things began to be written down again. So much was lost during the book burnings ordered by Emperor Qin. When the Han took over, people tried to remember and write down the literature and the teachings of Confucius.