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China (28 entries)

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Overthrow of the Tsin
Date: 420 A.D.
Description:
The kingdom of the Tsin that had ruled over southern China since 280 A.D. is overthrown and replaced by the Liu (Sung) dynasty.

The Tsin had originally been one of the three kingdoms that had succeeded the Han dynasty. These were the Wei in the north, the Shu in the west, and the Wu in the east. By 280 A.D. the Wei had defeated the other two kingdoms and came to dominate as the Tsin dynasty. Beginning in 304 A.D. China was ravaged by rampaging Turks, Tibetan, Hsiung-nu, and Mongolian hordes, and by 386 A.D. the Tsin effectively controlled only the southern part of China below the Yangtze River. Northern China fell under the control of the rival Northern Wei, founded by the Turks.
Date added: 12.08.04
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics, Military, Society
Contributor(s): Alan Chanter

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Liu Song Dynasty Begins
Date: 420 A.D.
Description:
Liu Song dynasty replaces the Eastern Jin in the south.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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Liu Song Dynasty Ends
Date: 478 A.D.
Description:
The southern dynasty of Liu Song ends in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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Founding of the Ch'i Dynasty
Date: 479 A.D.
Description:
The Liu (Sung) dynasty in southern China, below the Yangtze River, is succeeded by the Ch'i dynasty.
Date added: 12.09.04
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics, Society
Contributor(s): Alan Chanter

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Qi Dynasty Begins
Date: 479 A.D.
Description:
The southern dynasty of Qi begins in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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Qi Dynasty Ends
Date: 501 A.D.
Description:
The southern dynasty of Qi ends in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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Founding of the Liang Dynasty
Date: 502 A.D.
Description:
The Ch'i dynasty of Southern China, below the Yangtze river, is succeeded by the Liang dynasty.
Date added: 12.10.04
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Alan Chanter

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Six Garrisons Army Defeated
Date: 528 A.D.
Description:
The invading mutinous Six Garrisons army of a million were defeated by 7000 calvary led by Erhchu chieftain Jung.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Military, Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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Chen Qingzhi Briefly Captures Luoyang
Date: 529 A.D.
Description:
Liang emperor Wudi sends Chen Qingzhi northward with 7000 men and briefly captures Luoyang.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Military
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Northern Wei Dynasty Ends
Date: 533 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Northern Wei ends in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Eastern Wei Dynasty Begins
Date: 534 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Eastern Wei begins in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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War Begins Between Northern Wei Successors
Date: 534 A.D.
Description:
A war in the north of China begins between the successors of the Northern Wei dynasty.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics, Military
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Western Wei Dynasty Begins
Date: 535 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Western Wei begins in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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Eastern Wei Attack Western Wei
Date: 537 A.D.
Description:
The Eastern Wei attack the Western Wei via Tong Pass but were unsuccessful. Yuwen Tai repulsed the attack.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Military, Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Eastern Wei Dynasty Ends
Date: 549 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Eastern Wei ends.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Northern Qi Dynasty Begins
Date: 550 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Northern Qi begins.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Liang Dynasty Ends
Date: 556 A.D.
Description:
The southern dynasty of Liang ends in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Chen Dynasty Begins
Date: 557 A.D.
Description:
The southern dynasty of Chen begins in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Western Wei Dynasty Ends
Date: 557 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Western Wei ends in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Northern Zhou Dynasty Begins
Date: 557 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Northern Zhou begins in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Northern Qi Dynasty Ends
Date: 577 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Northern Qi ends in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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War Between Northern Wei Successors Ends
Date: 577 A.D.
Description:
The war in the north of China between the successors of the Northern Wei dynasty ends.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Military, Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Chen Dynasty Ends
Date: 588 A.D.
Description:
The southern dynasty of Chen ends in China.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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The Northern Zhou Dynasty Ends
Date: 588 A.D.
Description:
The northern dynasty of Northern Zhou ends.
Date added: 05.31.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Liang Jieming
Source information: Chronology of Chinese History and Culture - 7000 B.C. to A.D. 2004

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Founding of the T'ang Dynasty
Date: 618 A.D.
Description:
Li Shih-min, later to become the first T'ang Eamperor T'ang T'ai, having conquered all other rivals in the turmoil that followed the collapse of the Sui Dynasty, founds the T'ang Dynasty. This dynasty would ultimately extend China's frontiers further than any other Chinese Dynasty and survive until 906 A.D.
Date added: 04.06.06
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Alan Chanter
Source information: The Armies and Enemies of Ancient China, John P Greet (Wargames Research Group 1975).

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First Printed Book
Date: May 11th, 868 A.D.
Description:
A printed paper roll, dated 11 May 868 and containing part of a Chinese translation of the Buddhist text Dharani Sutra, is the earliest surviving evidence of a printed book.
Date added: 01.09.05
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Literature, Technology
Contributor(s): Alan Chanter

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Chinese Peasants' Revolt
Date: 874 A.D.
Description:
In 875, following a terrible drought, a peasant rising led by Huang Chao and Wang Xianzhi broke out against the ruling Tang dynasty regime of China. Discontent against the Tang's regime had been growing for some time. This discontent was fuelled by corrupt officials who illegally annexed land and collected taxes, either in cash or grain, even during periods of natural disaster. The Chinese economy fell into decline as a result of an increasing population competing for ever reducing plots of land, which led ultimately to a reduction in the tax revenue that was essential for the maintenance of the regime's military authority. Unrest increased as large numbers of desperate peasants fled from the fields as a consequence of the resulting poverty and famine, and the Emperor's troops, now no longer capable of even defending China's frontiers, became increasing unable to control the period of lawlessness that ensued.

The revolt itself commenced in Henan and Shandong in eastern China. It soon spread throughout a dozen provinces, and up to 1,000,000 rebels were involved. With such a large force at their disposal, the rebel leaders were soon able to seize control of almost a half of China. When Wang Xianzhi died in battle, Huang Chao would become the sole leader of the rebels army which now marched on and captured the Imperial city of Chang'an. Here they established their own regime (the Da Qi) whilst the Tang Emperor Xizong (873-888) fled to Chengdu.

Despite their large numbers, the rebels would never be able to best the trained armies of the Tang Emperor. Xizong gathered together the remaining elements of his loyal troops and combined them with allied contingents (largely Shatuo Turks) from the regional Fanzhen fortress-border-states. With this force, the Emperor was able to force Huang Chao to abandon Chang'an in 884 AD and, pursued by the Turkish allies, forced him back into Henan where the rebellion had commenced ten years earlier. Here, abandoned by most of his followers, Huang Chao committed suicide.

Despite having defeating the rebellion, the authority of the Tang dynasty had been permanently damaged. The landlord class had been effectively broken as a political power, which now devolved onto provincial warlords and thus would ultimately spell the end to the Tang Dynasty.
Date added: 01.20.05
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Military, Society
Contributor(s): Alan Chanter
Source information: Author's source note:
This timeline item originated out of a couple of related paragraphs in the Hutchinson History Reference Suite (CD ROM) which I thought were worthy of further research. However, not having many books on the subject of medieval China, I was rather reluctantly forced to fall back on the one thing that I rather try to avoid (e.g. surfing the Net). I was rather surprised by the amount of information available, but to keep the entry to a reasonable length I have summarised the event as much as possible and I apologise for any omissions or misinterpretations that may have occurred. For anyone interested in following up this subject with more research, I would thoroughly recommend this online resource.

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Founding of the Later Liang Dynasty
Date: 907 A.D.
Description:
The empire of the Tang dynasty was finally overthrown when the Chinese warlord Zhuwen deposed Aidi, the last of the Tang dynasty emperors. China then fragmented into 11 warring states (known as the age of the Five Dynasties and the Ten Kingdoms (907-960). Of these Zhuwen's 'Later Liang dynasty' would establish control over the Chang Jiang Basin in northern China, which was the richest region of China. In 912 Zhuwen, was murdered by his son Yingwang, who succeeded him.

The Late Liang would itself be overthrown in 923 by the Shatuo Turks from China's border provinces who would establish the Later Tang dynasty.
Date added: 01.31.05
Region: Eastern Asia, China
Category: Politics
Contributor(s): Alan Chanter

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