The following is a
chronology of the
dynasties in Chinese history. In reality, Chinese history is not as neat as is often described and it was rare indeed for one dynasty to end calmly and give way quickly and smoothly to a new one. Dynasties were often established before the overthrow of an existing regime, or continued for a time after they had been defeated.
In addition, China was divided for long periods of its history, with different regions being ruled by different groups. At times like these, there was not any single dynasty ruling a unified China. As a case in point, there is much dispute about times in and after the
Western Zhou period. One example of the potential for confusion will suffice:
The conventional date
1644 marks the year in which the
Manchu Qing dynasty armies occupied
Beijing and brought Qing rule to
China proper, succeeding the
Ming dynasty. However, the Qing dynasty itself was established in
1636 (or even
1616, albeit under a different name), while the last Ming dynasty
pretender was not deposed until
1662. This change of ruling houses was a messy and prolonged affair, and the Qing took almost twenty years to extend their control over the whole of China. It is therefore inaccurate to assume China changed suddenly and all at once in the year 1644.
For more details on the dynasties listed here and their emperors, follow the relevant links in the table. Click on
H for the
history of the dynasty, and
E for a table of its
emperors (or other rulers).
Chronology of dynasties
See also
