AP World Chinese Dynasties

Shang Dynasty

The 1st Chinese Dynasty.
Ruled from 1766 to 1122 BCE.
Developed written Chinese.
Oracle bones were used to write questions or predictions about the future.

Zhou Dynasty

The 2nd Chinese Dynasty.
Mandate of Heaven, placed great emphasis on Ancestor Veneration
Strong elite ruling class
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Qin Dynasty

Ended the Warring States Period.
Centralized Bureaucracy.
Legalist.

Han Dynasty

Centralized Bureaucracy.
Built roads and canals.
Confucianism
Civil Service Exam
Foreign Expansion
Tributary System

Sui Dynasty

After fall of Han, they reunited China
Buddhism and Confucian Civil Service Exam
Construction of the Grand Canal

Tang Dynasty

Expanded to Tibet and Korea
Completed the Grand Canal
Buddhism (until anti-Buddhist movement), Daoism, and Confucianism
Civil Service Exam
Declined as higher taxation created tensions

Song Dynasty

Reestablished centralized rule.
Reestablished the Tribute System.
Most powerful navy in the world- magnetic compasses.
Foot-binding
Military threats and nomadic invasions led to fall.

Yuan Dynasty

First time China was under foreign rule.
Strong Centralized government.
Foreigners were employed in the bureaucracy
No civil service exam
Chinese separated from the Mongols
Welcomed merchants and foreigners (increased trade)

Ming Dynasty

Reestablished authority over China after foreign rule
Refurbished navy
Age of Exploration.
Expeditions led by Zheng He
Taken over by peasant army

Qing Dynasty

Under rule of foreigners for the 2nd time (the Manchus).
Created a large army
Expanded their rule through military conquest.
Effort to mimic Chinese culture
Used civil service exam
Forbade intermarriage
Forced Chinese men to wear the queue, or a braid
Wars and Rebellions weakened empire