History of the Dynasties of Ancient ChinaAncient China The civilization of ancient China dates back thousands of years. During this long period of time, much of China was ruled by several dynasties. What is a dynasty? A dynasty is when a family rules a country or region for a long period of time. Generally, the head of the family will be the ruler of the country, such as an emperor or king. When the ruler dies, another member of the family will take power, usually the eldest son. When a new family takes control, a new dynasty begins. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe First Emperor of China Qin Shi Huangdi from Unknown Mandate of Heaven The Mandate of Heaven is what the Chinese believed gave their rulers the right to be king or emperor. It meant that the gods had blessed that person with the right to rule. A ruler had to be a good and just ruler to uphold the Mandate of Heaven. When a ruler or dynasty lost power, it meant that they must also have lost the Mandate of Heaven. Major Dynasties Here are the major dynasties in the history of ancient China: Xia (2205-1575 BC) - The first dynasty in China, very little is known about the Xia. Shang (1570-1045 BC) - The Shang ruled much of the area along the Yellow River. Their last capital was the great city of Yin. Zhou (1045-256 BC) - The longest ruling dynasty in Chinese history, the Zhou first used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. Much of the territory was ruled by feudal lords who were relatives of the Zhou family. Qin (221 BC to 206 BC) - At the beginning of the Chinese empire, Shi Huangdi became the first Chinese emperor. Although it was a short dynasty, much was accomplished, including the beginning of the Great Wall; standards were set for weights, measures, and money; many roads and canals were built; and a single type of writing was used throughout the country. All these advances would be used in future dynasties to make China strong. Han (206 BC - 220 AD) - The Han Dynasty established the civil service to create a strong, organized government. Paper and porcelain were also invented during this period. The Han also embraced Confucianism, poetry, and literature. Six Dynasties (222 to 581 AD) - A period of time when China was not united under a single leader. Sui (589-618 AD) - The Sui once again united China under one rule. They also expanded the Great Wall and built the Grand Canal. Tang (618 - 907) - A time of peace and prosperity, the Tang rule is sometimes known as the golden age of ancient China. Arts, literature and technology thrive. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Capital Chang'an Becomes Largest City in the World. Five Dynasties (907 - 960) - A peasant rebellion overthrows the Tang dynasty and ushers in a period of division. Song (960 - 1279) - Reunited under the Song, China becomes a world leader in science and technology, including inventions such as gunpowder and the compass. Yuan (1279 - 1368) - After the Mongols defeated the Song in a long war, Kublai Khan, a Mongol leader, founded the Yuan dynasty. Ming (1368 - 1644) - The last of China's great dynasties, the Ming, completed the Great Wall and built the Forbidden City, a huge palace for the emperor. The Ming came to power by overthrowing the rule of the Mongols.