CHINESE DYNASTIES DAY
dynasty (n) - a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family
•Irvan the First•Ruled for 10 years, then died
•Irvan II (son of Irvan the First)•Ruled for 21 years, then died
•Irvan III (son of Irvan II)•Ruled for just two years, then killed•Power taken by new family, end of
Irvan Dynasty*note – there were lots of kings who did not have numbers after their names
Timeline of Ancient China
Find and write in your notes the four Chinese dynasties from earliest to latest.
The correct answer is..1. Shang Dynasty [1600-1046 BC]2. Zhou (Chou) Dynasty [1046-256 BC]3. Qin (Ch’in) Dynasty [221-207 BC]4. Han Dynasty [207 BC – 220 AD]
Close your eyes and see if you can memorize the order of these dynasties.
Quick NotesShang Dynasty First major dynasty
(started around 1600 BC) Built first Chinese cities,
like Anyang Started making different
social classes People used bronze
weapons (no iron yet) First Chinese writing, on
animal bones
Zhou Dynasty Longest dynasty in
Chinese history (ruled for over 800 years!)
This new group fought the Shang people and took over in 1122 BC
Made irrigation to help farming
Start of Mandate of Heaven (very important!)
Quick Notes 2
Qin (Ch’in) Dynasty Very short (two
generations) but very important
Shi Huangdi had the Great Wall built to keep out invaders
United seven different parts of China (sort of like Menes in Egypt)
Made the government very strong
Started using currency instead of trading
Han Dynasty Overthrew the Qin Made the army very
powerful Land and population
expanded Started using ideas
about family and society relationships from Confucius
Inventions! Paper, compass, steel, printing, silk, acupuncture, and lots more