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