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Jan 1, 1180
The Rise of Temujin
Mongol khan Temujin defeats his enemies and unites scattered Mongol clans to begin building his empire. -
Jan 1, 1200
Mongol Strategy
Mongols are a fierce invasion force marching through China in squads of 10,000 for tactical advantage to accompany their intense brutality. 1200-1300 -
Jan 1, 1200
Onward, to Battle!
Mongols emerge from Central Asia to conquer China and create a vast empire. 1200-1300 -
Jan 1, 1206
Enter, the Universal Ruler
Temujin unites the final clans and thakes the title Genghis Khan, meaning "Universal Ruler," and sets out to create his empire. -
Jan 1, 1207
Closer to Domination
Genghis Khan and the other Mongols control more and more of Asia, learning the use of gun powder and siege warfare from the Chinese and the Turks. Siege Warfare: A military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. -
Jan 1, 1227
The Death of Genghis
Genghis Khan dies of old age and physical fatigue. He leaves his empire and dream of conquering the world to his sons and grandsons. -
Jan 1, 1236
The Horde on the Road to Russia
Under Genghis Khan's grandson Batu, the Golden Horde sets out to conquer Russia to further extend the Mongol Empire. Golden Horde: The Mongol army that swept over eastern Europe in the 13th century and established a suzerain in Russia (from the golden tent of their commander). -
Jan 1, 1260
Kublai Khan, the Great Khan of the Khanate of the Great Khan
Kublai Khan becomes the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, but in reality, he only had power over the Khanate of the Great Khan. -
Jan 1, 1278
Marco........Polo
Marco Polo is sent on missions throughout China by the Yuan emperor. Kublai Khan did this because he took a liking to young Marco when his family visited the royal court. -
Jan 1, 1279
The Songs have Fallen out of Key
After much resistance, Kublai Khan defeats the last Song ruler Emperor Bing, and claims total control of China, completing his goal for an empire. Song Dynasty: And imperial dyanasty of China noted for art, literature, and philosophy. -
Jan 1, 1294
Death of Khan!
Kublai Khan dies. Before this, storms that the Japanese named Kamikazes or, "divine wind," kept them from conquering the islands of Japan. Kamikaze (now): Soldiers who used planes or other modes of transportation to bomb their opponents, killing themselves in the proccess.
Kamikaze (then): Many large storms that rescued the Japanese from an impending Mongol invasion. -
Jan 1, 1295
Marco.......Polo! I Found you!
Marco Polo and his father return to Venice after 17 years of traveling through China. Not long after, Marco was captured and taken captive in the midst of a battle. -
Jan 1, 1300
He's Down.......ATTACK!
Many Chinese groups fight against the Mongols, as they no longer need to fear Kublai Khan. 1300-1400 -
Jan 1, 1300
The Plague Sensation that's Sweeping the Nation!
Black Death dpreads through Asia. 1300-1400 Black Death: The great epidemic of bubonic plague that killed a large part of the European population (mid 14th century). -
Jan 1, 1368
Mongols Reach their Downfall
The Mongols are defeated by a rebel army, then retreat Manchuria. This ended their oppressive reign in China. -
Jan 1, 1368
Vastly Martial's Martial Mastery helps him Master Mongol Mutilator
Peasant Zhu Yuanzhang overthrows the final Mongol emperor with his rebel army. He then takes the name Hongwu, meaning "Vastly Martial," and begins the Ming dynasty. -
Jan 1, 1398
Death turns to Struggle
Hongwu's death leads to a power struggle for his throne. -
Jan 1, 1402
Yonglo and the Forbidden City
After the power stuggle comes to an end, Hongwu's son Yonglo becomes emperor. He built a great imperial city at Beijing's center. The Forbidden City. His reign lasted until 1424. Forbidden City: A walled enclosure at the center of Beijing containing the palaces of 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties. -
Jan 1, 1405
The Voyages of the Indian Ocean
Chinese Muslim admiral Zheng He leads seven voyages through the Indian Ocean as far as Africa with fleets of up to 300 ships to flaunt China's power. Among his ships he had junks, a type of trading ship. The voyages were put to rest in 1433. Junks: A small ship designed during the Ming dynasty for trading overseas. -
Jan 1, 1433
No More Sailing!
A new emperor puts a stop to He's voyages as they are far too expensive and a waste of China's resources. -
Jan 1, 1500
Anti-Social Networking
Ming China heavily restrics trading with foreign countries to halt any and all outside contacts. Merchants from other lands could only trade at a select few Chinese ports. -
Jan 1, 1500
Traders and Missionaries on the Horizon
European traders and Christian missionaries come to China. They vbrought with them many goods and ideas, one of the reasons that to Ming China's voluntary isolation. -
Jan 1, 1500
Sweeeet Sweet Potatoes!
Farm production increased in Ming China after the arrival of new crops from the Americas, such as sweet potatoes and corn. -
Jan 1, 1500
Fasten your Seatbelts, the Dynasty will now Begin it's Descent
Weak Ming rulers take control, leading to an increase in corruption. Treasuries were nearly emptied towards defense, leading to a sharp rise in taxes. -
Matteo Ricci
Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit priest, arrives in China. He learned the Chinese language and adopted Chinese customs as to be accepted. He was granted entry to the Ming court thanks to his efforts. Around the time he arrived, the Ming began restoring the Great Wall of China to defend them from the renewed Mongol threat. Great Wall of China: A fortified wall in northern China, extending some 1,500 miles from Kansu province to the Yellow Sea north of Beijing. -
Rebellions Arise!
The tax increase, combined with crop failures led to angered civilians, then to rebellions. -
Ming to Qing
Ming China withers and becomes the Qing dynasty after the Manchu take the Ming capital at Beijing. The Qing dynasty topples in 1911. -
3,500 Years has Gone by so Fast
The Qing dynasty rules as the final dynasty in 3,500 years of Chinese imperial rule. -
Finally, the Emperor We Needed
Kangxi, emperor of Qing China, reduced taxes placed upon peasants and expanded his empire. He supported the arts and Jesuit priests, and he enjoyed learning about their advances in science and other subjects. His rule ended in 1772. -
Dream of the Red Chamber
Qing writer Cao Zhan writes Dream of the Red Chamber, a novel examining the decline of an upper-class Chinese family. -
Qianlong
Kangxi's grandson Qianlong conquers Taiwan, Mongolia, and Tibet, bringing his empire to its largest size. He improved agricultural production, leading to a steep rise in population. His rule ended in 1796. -
Population on the Rise
China's population sky rockets to 300 million thanks to Qianlong's agricultural advancements. -
Macartney? No Way! Oh...George...
Lord Geaorge Macartney, a British official, visits China to discuss expanding trade. He is refused and sent away for refusing to kowtow to emperor Qianlong. Kowtow: Kneeling in front of the emperor and touching your forehead to the ground nine times. -
Thanks a Lot Europe...
Efforts by the Europeans to reach through China's closed society leads to the destruction of the Qing dynasty and the end of imperial rule.
