Chinese Dynasties
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Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the second time when the whole of China was ruled by foreigners, the Manchu. The first time was during the Yuan Dynasty when China was controlled by the Mongols. The Qing Dynasty lasted from 1644-1911 A.D. The reigns of the first three emperors...
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Ming Dynasty
The Ming dynasty began in 1368, and lasted until 1644 A.D. Its founder was a peasant, the third of only three peasants ever to become an emperor in China. He is known as Hongwu Emperor, and led the revolt against the Mongols and the Yuan Dynasty. He was constantl...
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Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty, which lasted from 1279-1368 A.D., was the first of only two times that the entire area of China was ruled by foreigners, in this case, the Mongols. During the Yuan Dynasty, China was part of the Mongol Empire. Genghis Khan led the Mongols in their...
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Song Dynasty
Zhao Kuangyin founded the Song dynasty. He was a general, made emperor by his soldiers in 960 A.D. Unlike the generals before him who had declared themselves emperors of dynasties that soon failed, Zhao Kuangyin lived a long life. This allowed him to establish...
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Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
The time from 907-960 A.D. is called The Five Dynasties. However, numerous small kingdoms also existed. The Five Dynasties are the officially recognized dynasties of the north, while the south had ten kingdoms. The north was continually ravaged by warfare during...
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Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty are closely associated with the Sui Dynasty, and are often discussed as the same dynasty. Their dynasty lasted from 618-907 A.D. Much of their power was made possible through the canals built by the Sui. These canals allowed for communications...
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Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty lasted from 580-618 A.D. The Sui once again united China. They were led in their campaign to unite China by Yang Chien who had been an official of the Northern Zhou. The Sui Dynasty had only two emperors, Yang Chien who was called Emperor Wen Ti...
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Southern and Northern Dynasties
The Dynasties of the South and North were another lengthy period of disunity and internal strife for China. It lasted from 317-589A.D. During this time period, the north and south were split and two separate successions of dynasties formed. In both the...