We felt kind of guilty when, several months ago, we only devoted seven facts to China. As such, we plan to delve a little further—but perhaps not that much further. Here’s some super brief Chinese history, timeline style. Ready? It’ll be over soon. (Please note that some dates are approximate.)
13.8 billion BCE
The universe comes into existence, as per the Big Bang Theory.
4.5 billion BCE
Earth forms. Life on Earth arrives at some point in the next billion years or so.
300,000 – 200,000 BCE
The first anatomically modern humans appear. Over time, some get to East Asia.
2100 BCE
The Xin Dynasty begins (according to Chinese tradition), starting a really long stretch of dynastic rule that lasts until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 CE.
551 BCE
The Chinese philosopher Confucius is born. His teachings have an impact on East Asian culture for a couple years—okay, maybe a little longer than that.
221 BCE
Construction of the Great Wall of China—thought to include preexisting fortifications—begins. The goal might be to control the movement of nomadic groups from the north.
100 – 1100 CE
The Four Great Inventions from ancient China—papermaking, gunpowder, woodblock printing, and the use of the magnetic compass for navigation—are realized. (Of note is that this grouping of inventions is a European construct.)
1205
Genghis Khan from Mongolia initiates an invasion of China, ultimately breaching the aforementioned Great Wall. By 1271, his grandson Kublai Khan establishes the Yuan Dynasty, which is overthrown in 1368.
1662
Taiwan is seized from Dutch control by what is left of the Ming Dynasty (and annexed 21 years later by the Qing Dynasty).
1839 – 1842
The First Opium War is fought by the Qing against British merchants selling opium in China. It doesn’t go well for the Qing, and Hong Kong is ceded to Britain. (The Second Opium War occurs between 1856 – 1860 and results in a favorable outcome for Britain and France regarding trade.)
1894-1895
The first Sino-Japanese War takes place, with China (the Qing) suffering a clear defeat. Among other results, Taiwan is ceded to Japan.
1899-1901
Sentiment against foreign influences contributes to the Boxer Rebellion in northern China, resulting in about 100,000 deaths. An alliance of eight nations puts an end to the conflict, with sanctions further weakening the Qing.
1910
Slavery is legally abolished in China.
1911
The 1911 Revolution begins, leading to the collapse of the Chinese monarchy and the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC) in 1912.
1927
The Chinese Civil War begins, pitting the Chinese Nationalist Party (governing the ROC) against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
1937
Japan invades China—also known as the second Sino-Japanese War—leading to a temporary alliance between the Chinese Nationalist Party and CCP.
1945
As World War II ends, the alliance breaks down, and the civil war resumes. In the same year, Taiwan is returned to China.
1949
The People’s Republic of China is established by the CCP after gaining the upper hand in the civil war. The government is closely allied with the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, the ROC government retreats to Taiwan.
1978
Economic reforms are launched, starting the move from an economy defined by state ownership to one that welcomes foreign investment, entrepreneurship, and privatization.
1997
The United Kingdom hands Hong Kong over to China, ending over 150 years of British rule. Hong Kong becomes a special administrative region of China.
2008
China hosts the Summer Olympics, symbolically sealing the country’s place as a powerhouse on the world stage.
2010
China overtakes Japan as the world’s second largest economy based on nominal GDP. And just to show the world that it has truly arrived, China eventually starts making bad pop music with the best of them.
There you have it. A (thoroughly incomplete) brief Chinese history, told from an American point of view. At least it was short.
