The document provides information on major dynasties that ruled China from 150 BC to 1911 CE. It discusses key emperors and periods of each dynasty, including the Shang Dynasty from 1600-1046 BC, the Zhou Dynasty from 1046-256 BC, the Qin Dynasty from 221-206 BC which first unified China, the Han Dynasty from 206 BC-220 AD which was considered a golden age, and later dynasties like the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties up until the fall of the Qing in 1911 and establishment of the Republic of China. The document also covers the Mandate of Heaven principle used to justify imperial rule in China.

1. Emperors
of
China

2. DYNASTIES
150BC-1911CE

3. Emperor Wu
Wu Zetian (624 – December 16, 705),[10][11] also known as Wu
Zhao, Wu Hou, and during the laterTang dynasty as Tian Hou, referred
to in English as Empress Consort Wu or by the deprecated
term[12] "Empress Wu", was a Chinese sovereign who ruled unofficially
as empress consort and empress dowager and later, officially
as empress regnant (皇帝) during the brief Zhou dynasty (周, 684-
705),[10] which interrupted the Tang dynasty (618–690 & 705–907). Wu
was the only Empress regnant of China in more than four millennia.

4. Shang Dynasty
The Shang dynasty (Chinese: 商朝; pinyin: Shāng cháo) or Yin
dynasty (殷代; Yīn dài), according to traditional historiography, ruled in
the Yellow River valley in the second millennium BC, succeeding
the Xia dynasty and followed by the Zhou dynasty. The classic account
of the Shang comes from texts such as the Book of
Documents, Bamboo Annals and Records of the Grand Historian.
According to the traditional chronology based on calculations made
approximately 2,000 years ago by Liu Xin, the Shang ruled from 1766
to 1122 BC, but according to the chronology based upon the "current
text" of Bamboo Annals, they ruled from 1556 to 1046 BC. The Xia–
Shang–Zhou Chronology Project dated them from c. 1600 to 1046 BC.
1600 BC - 1046 BC

6. Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou dynasty (Chinese: 周朝; pinyin: Zhōu cháo [ʈʂóu
ʈʂʰǎu]) was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang
dynasty and preceded the Qin dynasty. Although the Zhou
dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese
history, the actual political and military control of China by
the dynasty, surnamed Ji (Chinese: 姬), lasted only until
771 BC, a period known as the Western Zhou.
1046 BC - 256 BC

8. Warring States period
The Warring States period (Chinese: 戰國時代; pinyin: Zhànguó
shídài) was an era in ancient Chinese history following the Spring and
Autumn period and concluding with the Qin wars of conquest that saw
the annexation of all other contender states, which ultimately led to
theQin state's victory in 221 BC as the first unified Chinese
empire known as the Qin dynasty. Although different scholars point
toward different dates ranging from 481 BC to 403 BC as the true
beginning of the Warring States, Sima Qian's choice of 475 BC is
generally the most often cited and popularly accepted one. The Warring
States era also overlaps with the second half of the Eastern Zhou
dynasty, though theChinese sovereign, known as the king of Zhou,
ruled merely as afigurehead and served as a backdrop against the
machinations of the warring states.
The "Warring States Period" derives its name from the Record of the
Warring States, a work compiled early in the Han dynasty.
240 BC

10. Qin dynasty
The Qin dynasty (Chinese: 秦朝; pinyin: Qín Cháo; Wade–
Giles: Ch'in2 Ch'ao2) was the firstdynasty of Imperial China, lasting from
221 to 206 BCE. Named for its heartland of Qin, in modern-
day Gansu and Shaanxi, the dynasty was formed after the conquest
of six other states by the Qin state, and its founding emperor
named Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of Qin. The strength of the
Qin state was greatly increased by the "Legalist" reforms of Shang
Yang in the fourth century BC, during the Warring States period. In the
mid and late third century BC, the Qin accomplished a series of swift
conquests, first ending the powerless Zhou dynasty, and eventually
conquering the other six of the Seven Warring States to gain control
over the whole of China. It is also the shortest dynasty in Chinese
history, lasting only 15 years with two emperors.
221 BCE - 206 BCE

12. Han Dynasty
The Han dynasty (Chinese: 漢朝; pinyin: Hàn cháo) was the
second imperial dynasty of China (206 BC–220 AD), preceded by
the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms
period (220–280 AD). Spanning over four centuries, the Han period is
considered a golden age in Chinese history.[4] To this day,
China's majority ethnic group refers to themselves as the "Han people"
and the Chinese script is referred to as "Han characters".[5] It was
founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known
posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han, and briefly interrupted by
the Xin dynasty (9–23 AD) of the former regent Wang Mang. This
interregnum separates the Han dynasty into two periods: the Western
Han or Former Han (206 BC – 9 AD) and the Eastern Han or Later
Han (25–220 AD).
206 BC – 220 AD

14. Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms (AD 220–280) was the tripartite division of China
between the states of Wei (魏), Shu(蜀), and Wu (吳),[1] following
the Han dynasty and preceding the Jin dynasty. The term "Three
Kingdoms" itself is something of a mistranslation, since each state was
eventually headed not by a king, but by an emperor who claimed
legitimate succession from the Han dynasty.[2] Nevertheless, the term
"Three Kingdoms" has become standard among sinologists. To further
distinguish the three states from other historical Chinese states of
similar names, historians have added a relevant character: Wei is also
known as Cao Wei (曹魏),[3][4] Shu is also known as Shu Han (蜀漢),
and Wu is also known as Dong (or Eastern) Wu (東吳).
AD 220 - 280

16. Sui Dynasty
• The Sui Dynasty (Chinese: 隋朝; pinyin: Suí cháo) was a short-lived imperial
dynasty of China of pivotal significance. The Sui unified the Northern and
Southern dynasties and reinstalled the rule of ethnic Han Chinese in the
entire China proper, along with sinicization of former nomadic ethnic
minorities (the Five Barbarians) within its territory. It was succeeded by the Tang
dynasty, which largely inherited its foundation.
• Founded by Emperor Wen of Sui, the Sui dynasty capital was Chang'an (which
was renamed Daxing, 581–605) and later Luoyang (605–618). Emperors Wen
and Yang undertook various centralized reforms, most notably the equal-field
system, intended to reduce economic inequality and improve agricultural
productivity; the institution of the Three Departments and Six Ministries system;
and the standardization and re-unification of the coinage. They also spread and
encouraged Buddhism throughout the empire. By the middle of the dynasty, the
newly unified empire entered a golden age of prosperity with vast agricultural
surplus that supported rapid population growth.
581 BC – 618 BC

18. Tang Dynasty
• The Tang dynasty (Chinese: 唐朝[a]) was an imperial dynasty of
China preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five
Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It is generally regarded as a
high point in Chinese civilization, and a golden age of cosmopolitan
culture.[4] Its territory, acquired through the military campaigns of its
early rulers, rivaled that of the Han dynasty, and the Tang capital
at Chang'an (present-day Xi'an) was the most populous city in the
world.
• The dynasty was founded by the Lǐ family (李), who seized power
during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire. The dynasty was
briefly interrupted when Empress Wu Zetian seized the throne,
proclaiming the Second Zhou dynasty (690–705) and becoming the
only Chinese empress regnant.
618 BC – 907 BC

20. Song Dynasty
• The Song dynasty (Chinese: 宋朝; pinyin: Sòng cháo; 960–1279) was an
era of Chinese history that began in 960 and continued until 1279. It
succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, coincided with
the Liao and Western Xia dynasties, and was followed by the Yuan dynasty.
It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or true paper
money nationally and the first Chinese government to establish a
permanent standing navy. This dynasty also saw the first known use
of gunpowder, as well as the first discernment of true north using
a compass.
• The Song dynasty is divided into two distinct periods, Northern and
Southern. During the Northern Song (Chinese: 北宋; 960–1127), the Song
capital was in the northern city of Bianjing (nowKaifeng) and the dynasty
controlled most of what is now Eastern China. The Southern
Song(Chinese: 南宋; 1127–1279) refers to the period after the Song lost
control of its northern half to theJurchen Jin dynasty in the Jin–Song Wars.
960 BC – 1279 BC

22. Yuan Dynasty
• The Yuan dynasty (Chinese: 元朝; pinyin: Yuán Cháo), officially the Great
Yuan[4] (Chinese: 大元;pinyin: Dà Yuán; Mongolian: Yehe Yuan Ulus[b]), was
the empire or ruling dynasty of China established by Kublai Khan, leader of
the Mongolian Borjigin clan. Although the Mongols had ruled territories including
today's North China for decades, it was not until 1271 that Kublai Khan officially
proclaimed the dynasty in the traditional Chinese style,[5] and the conquest was
not complete until 1279. His realm was, by this point, isolated from the
other khanates and controlled most of present-day China and its surrounding
areas, including modern Mongolia.[6] It was the first foreign dynasty to rule all of
China and lasted until 1368, after which the rebuked Genghisid rulers retreated
to their Mongolian homeland and continued to rule the Northern Yuan
dynasty.[7] Some of the Mongolian Emperors of the Yuan mastered the Chinese
language, while others only used their native language (i.e. Mongolian) and
the 'Phags-pa script.[8]
• The Yuan dynasty is considered both a successor to the Mongol Empire and an
imperial Chinese dynasty.
1271 BC – 1368 BC

24. Red Turban Rebellion
The Red Turban Rebellion (Chinese: 紅巾起
義; pinyin: Hóngjīn Qǐyì) was an uprising influenced by
the White Lotus Society members that, between 1351 and
1368, targeted the ruling Yuan dynasty of China, eventually
leading to its overthrow.
1351 BC – 1368 BC

25. Ming Dynasty
The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China – then
known as the Empire of the Great Ming– for 276 years (1368–
1644) following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty.
The Ming, described by some as "one of the greatest eras of
orderly government and social stability in human history,"[2] was
the last imperial dynasty in China ruled by ethnic Han Chinese.
Although the primary capital of Beijing fell in 1644 to a rebellion
led by Li Zicheng (who established the Shun dynasty, soon
replaced by the Manchu-led Qing dynasty), regimes loyal to the
Ming throne – collectively called the Southern Ming – survived
until 1683.
1368 BC – 1644 BC

27. Qing Dynasty
• The Qing dynasty, officially the Great Qing (English /tʃɪŋ/), also
called the Qing Empire by itself or the Manchu dynasty by
foreigners, was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644
to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by
the Ming dynasty and succeeded by the Republic of China. The
Qing multi-cultural empire lasted almost three centuries and formed
the territorial base for the modern Chinese state.
• The dynasty was founded by the Jurchen Aisin Gioro clan
in Manchuria. In the late sixteenth century, Nurhaci, originally a Ming
vassal, began organizing "Banners", military-social units that
included Jurchen, Han Chinese, and Mongol elements. Nurhaci
formed the Jurchen clans into a unified entity, which he renamed as
the Manchus.
1644 BC – 1912 BC

29. Mandate of Heaven
• The Mandate of Heaven (天命) was a principle used to justify the
power of the emperor of China. According to this belief, the
heavens—which embody the natural order and will of the universe—
bestow their mandate on a just ruler, the Son of Heaven. If a ruler
was overthrown, this was interpreted as an indication that the ruler
had lost the Mandate of Heaven. In addition, it was also common
belief that natural disasters such as famine and flood were signs of
heaven's displeasure with the ruler, so there would often be revolts
following major disasters as citizens saw these as signs of heaven's
displeasure.[1]
1046 - 256 BCE

30. • The Mandate of Heaven does not require a legitimate ruler to be of noble birth,
and dynasties such as the Han and Ming dynasties were founded by men of
common origins. The Mandate of Heaven had no time limitations, depending
instead on the just and able performance of the rulers and their heirs.
Throughout the history of China, times of poverty and natural disasters were
often taken as signs that heaven considered the incumbent ruler unjust and thus
in need of replacement.
• The concept of the Mandate of Heaven was first used to support the rule of
the kings of the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BCE), and their overthrow of the
earlier Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). It was used throughout the history of
China to support the rule of emperors, including non-Han ethnic monarchs such
as the Qing dynasty. This concept was also applied to monarchs in nearby
countries like Korea and Vietnam.[2] A similar situation prevailed since the
establishment of Ahom rule in theKingdom of Assam of Southeast Asia.
• The Mandate of Heaven was often invoked by philosophers and scholars in
China as a way to curtail the abuse of power by the ruler.

32. QUIZ
Question 1
It is the dynasty that was considered both a successor to
the Mongol Empire and an imperial Chinese dynasty:

33. ANSWER:
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan dynasty is considered both a successor to
the Mongol Empire and an imperial Chinese dynasty.

34. Question 2
This dynasty was considered a Golden Age in Chinese
history:

35. ANSWER:
Han dynasty
Han period is considered a golden age in Chinese history.

36. Question 3
It is the principle used to justify the power of the emperor of
China:

37. ANSWER:
Mandate of Heaven
The Mandate of Heaven (天命) was a principle used to
justify the power of the emperor of China

38. References:
en.wikipedia.org
google.com

39. Produced by Denmark Mondoñedo 2017
www.secretsoftheearth.com.au