Timeline of Dynasties In China

  • 2100-1600 BCE - Xia (Hsia) Dynasty
  • 1600-1050 BCE - Shang Dynasty
    • One of the Three Dynasties, or San Dai, thought to mark the beginning of Chinese civilization
  • 206 BCE-220 CE - Zhou Dynasty: Western Zhou (1046-771 BCE) Eastern Zhou (771-256 BCE)
    • Time that Confusious lived
    • Often compared to European feudalism
  • 220-589 CE - Six Dynasties Period
    • Buddhism spread
    • Also called the "period of disunity" because the empire was fragmented
    • The North was dominated by invaders from the borderland and the steppes
    • The South was ruled by successive Chinese dynasties