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The very first dynasty in China, very little is known about the Xia.
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The Shang ruled much of the area along the Yellow River. Their last capital was the great city of Yin.
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The longest ruling dynasty in the history of China, the Zhou first used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. Much of the land was ruled by feudal lords who were relatives of the Zhou family.
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The start of the Chinese Empire, Shi Huangdi became the first Emperor of China. Though this dynasty was short much was achieved with the beginning of the Great Wall; standards were set for weights, measures, and money. Many roads and canals were built. All of these advancements were used to make the future Chinese dynasties stronger.
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The Han dynasty established the civil service to create a strong and organized government. The Han also embraced Confucianism, poetry, and literature.
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The Sui unite China again under one rule. They also expanded the Great Wall and built the Great Canal.
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A period of peace and prosperity, the Tang rule is sometimes known as the Golden Age of Ancient China. Arts, literature, and technology all flourished. The capital city Chang'an becomes the world's largest city.
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Reunited under the Song,China becomes a world leader in science and technology including such inventions as gunpowder and the compass.
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After the Mongols defeated the Song in a long war, Kublai Khan, a Mongol leader, established the Yuan dynasty
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The last of the great Chinese dynasties, the Ming finished the Great Wall and built the Forbidden City, an enormous palace for the Emperor. The Ming came into power by overthrowing the rule of the Mongols.