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220
Han Dynasty collapses
When the Han dynasty collapsed China fell into the Period of Disunion. the Han dynasty began in 206 BC. -
Period: 220 to
Period of Disunion
A time of disorder that followed the Han Dynasty. -
400
Age of Bhuddism
Ended in 845. Many people turned to Bhuddism in times of disorder. Bhuddism became very popular in China. -
Jan 1, 630
Gunpowder
A mixture of powders used in guns and explosives. It was originally used only in fireworks, but it was later used to make small bombs and rockets. It changed the way people fought in war. -
Jan 1, 635
Magnetic Compass
This instrument, uses the earth's magnetic field to show direction, The compass has been a key factor in some of the most important sailing voyages in history. -
Jan 1, 1206
Genghis Khan unites the nomads
One of the nomadic peoples who attacked the Chinese were the Mongols. They had lived as separate tribes north of China until a powerful leader, Genghis Khan, united them. -
Jan 1, 1227
Genghis Khan's dies
By this time all of northern China was under Mongol control. Though the destruction the Mongols left behind was terrible -
Jan 1, 1260
Kublai Khan
Genghis Khan's grandsonKublai Khan became ruler of the Mongol Empire. He completed the conquest of China. -
Jan 1, 1271
Marco Polo's travels
Between 1271 and 1295 he traveled in and around China. Polo was highly respected by the Mongols and even served in Kublai Khan's court. When Polo returned to Europe, he wrote of his travels. -
Jan 1, 1274
Mongols invade Japan
A Mongol army sailed to Japan in 1274 and 1281, but their attacks proved to be disastrous. The Mongol army was destroyed by violent storms and fierce defenders. -
Jan 1, 1279
Mongol Ascendancy
Kublai Khan declared himself emperor of China. This began the Yuan dynasty, a period that some people also call the Mongol Ascendancy. -
Period: Jan 1, 1279 to Jan 1, 1368
Yaun Dynasty
Ruled by foreiners and nomads. -
Jan 1, 1368
Zhu Yuanzhang
He took charge of a rebel army. He led this army in a final victory over the Mongols. China was once again ruled by the Chinese. -
Period: Jan 1, 1368 to
The Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty proved to be the most stable dynasty in China. The Chineese improved their sailing skills greatly during the Ming Dynasty. -
Jan 1, 1405
Zheng He
He led seven grand voyages to places around Asia. In the course of his voyages, he sailed his fleet throughout the Indian Ocean, as far west as the Persian Gulf, and the easternmost coast of Africa. -
Jan 1, 1430
The Forbidden City
The palace complex included hundreds of imperial residences, temples, and other government buildings. For centuries, this city within a city was a symbol of China's glory. -
Ming Dynasty Ends
When China entered a period of isolationism, a policy of avoiding contact with other countries, they suffered great consequences for China. The Ming dynasty was overthrown and China was too weak to stop the Westerners. -
Movable type
Carved letters could be rearranged and reused to print many different messages. It made printing much faster. -
Dragon Backbone Pump
A new irrigation device that allowed one person to do the work of several. With this pump, a farmer could scoop up water and pour it into an irrigation canal. -
Porcelain
A thin, beautiful type of pottery that was a valuble trade item. It helped increase trade and helped China prosper. -
New Farming Techniques
Farms also became more productive because of a new type of fast-ripening rice. Farmers learned to grow new crops, such as cotton, efficiently. Workers processed cotton fiber to make clothes. -
Woodblock Printing
A form of printing where an entire page is carved into a block of wood. Then the printer brushes ink onto the block and presses paper against the block to create a printed page. -
Period: to
Sui Dynasty
Yang Jiang ended the Period of Disunion and begun the Sui Dynasty. -
Period: to
Tang Dynasty
The area included much of eastern Asia, as well as large parts of Central Asia. Historians call the Tang Dynsty the golden age of Chinese civilization. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1279
The Song dynasty
After the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (a time of disorder and chaos), China was reunified, by the Song dynasty. It was a time of improvements in agriculture, growing cities, trade, art, and inventions, and a time of major changes in Chinese government. -
Period: to
Time of Disorder
After the Tang dynasty fell, China entered a brief period of chaos and disorder, with many separate kingdoms competing for power.
