Chinese Dynasties Overview

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Shang Dynasty

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China's first dynasty, wrote on turtle shells and prayed to ancestors

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Zhou Dynasty

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China's longest Dynasty; Confucius born, invented crossbow, iron plow, & chopsticks

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Qin Dynasty

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Shortest but arguably the most effective; Great Wall built, China united

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Han Dynasty

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Golden Age; invented paper, porcelain, seismographs, water clocks

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Sui Dynasty

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Reunited China, built Grand Canal

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Tang Dynasty

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Art & Literature Golden Age, world's largest city

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Song Dynasty

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Led the world in science and technology, invented gunpowder & compass

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Yuan/Mongol Dynasty

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Expanded territory and allowed religious freedom; Led by Genghis & Kublai Khan

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Ming Dynasty

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Economic & Population growth, added to Great Wall; produced Ming porcelain

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Qing Dynasty

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Last Dynasty, maintained huge army; expanded territory.