Chinese Dynasties Study Guide

Vocabulary and key facts covering the chronological history of Chinese dynasties from the legenday Xia to the imperial Qing.

Xia Dynasty

The legendary first Chinese dynasty ($2100-1600 BC$) founded by Yu the Great, characterized by the Abdication system and the "Great Flood."

Mandate of Heaven

A political and spiritual doctrine whose first use was considered to be associated with the fall of the Xia dynasty.

Shang Dynasty

The first historically attested Chinese dynasty ($1600-1046 BC$), known for its oracle bones and governance from cities like Yin and Anyang.

Oracle Bones

Divination tools made from tortoise shells or ox scapulae used during the Shang Dynasty.

Battle of Muye

The conflict in $1046 BCE$ that resulted in the defeat of the Shang Dynasty.

Zhou Dynasty

The dynasty ($1046-256 BC$) founded by King Wu; its "Eastern" period included the Warring States and Spring and Autumn periods.

Sun Tzu

The author of "The Art of War" who lived during the Zhou Dynasty.

Qin Dynasty

The first imperial Chinese dynasty ($221-206 BC$), which adopted Legalism and began building the Great Wall of China.

Shi Huangdi

The first emperor of the Qin dynasty whose tomb contains a terracotta army and who attempted to achieve immortality with mercury pills.

Jing Ke

An assassin who attempted to kill Shi Huangdi using a dagger hidden in a rolled-up map.

Han Dynasty

The dynasty ($206 BC - 220 AD$) founded by Liu Bang that lends its name to China's main ethnic group.

Battle of Gaixia

The battle where Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu to establish the Han Dynasty.

Yellow Turban Rebellion

A major rebellion during the Han Dynasty led by Zhang Jue.

Xin Dynasty

A brief period that separated the Han Dynasty, established by Wang Mang.

Sui Dynasty

A short-lived dynasty ($518 - 618$) founded by Wen Di, who began the construction of the Grand Canal.

Battle of Salsu River

A battle during a campaign launched by Emperor Yangdi of the Sui against the Korean Goguryeo Kingdom.

Tang Dynasty

A dynasty ($618 - 907$) governed from Chang'an, known for poets Li Bai and Du Fu and the rule of Wu Zetian.

Wu Zetian

The female ruler who interrupted the Tang Dynasty to found the Zhao Dynasty.

An Lushan Rebellion

A namesake rebellion against the Tang Dynasty occurring after an alleged affair between the leader and Yang Guifei.

Battle of Talas

A military engagement lost by the Tang Dynasty.

Song Dynasty

A dynasty ($960 - 1279$) that invented gunpowder, movable type, the compass, and printed paper money.

Wang Anshi

A reformer who clashed with Sima Guang during the reign of Emperor Shenzong in the Song Dynasty.

Battle of Yamen

The final defeat of the Song Dynasty.

Yuan Dynasty

The Mongol-led dynasty ($1271 - 1368$) established by Kublai Khan and visited by Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta.

Kamikaze

Storms that protected Japan from attempted invasions by the Yuan Dynasty.

Ming Dynasty

The dynasty ($1368 - 1644$) founded by the Hongwu Emperor, known for porcelain vases and the construction of the Forbidden City.

Zheng He

An explorer who led treasure voyages sponsored by the Ming Dynasty's Yongle Emperor.

Tumu Crisis

An event where Oirat forces captured the Yingzong Emperor during the Ming Dynasty.

Qing Dynasty

The last dynasty of China ($1644 - 1912$), led by figures such as the Kangxi Emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi.

Taiping Rebellion

A massive rebellion against the Qing Dynasty led by Hong Xiuquan, who claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreigner rebellion during the Qing Dynasty that involved the defeat of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Eight Banner System

The administrative and military organizational structure used by the Qing Dynasty.