Because of its complexity and most Westerner’s limited knowledge of Chinese political and intellectual history, I have created the imperfect and incomplete chronology below based on multiple sources in my library. Many of the dates vary between my sources, but the order and general timing are mostly consistent.
1760-1122 B.C.E. Earliest historical dynasty, the Shang, which rules the north China plain.
1122 B.C.E. The Zhou dynasty is founded (after their outside invasion) followed by a sustained peace known as the ‘golden period.’
circa 770 B.C.E. Feudal lords defeat and kill the Zhou king setting up an era of shifting feudal states into which Confucius and Laozi are born.
circa 680 B.C.E. The I-Ching (Yijing) is written.
circa 571 B.C.E. Birth of Laozi, author of the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching).
circa 551-479 B.C.E. Life of Confucius
Circa 470-391 B.C.E. Life of Mozi
453-221 B.C.E. The Warring States period – the origins of Confucianism and Taoism (name dates to the second century B.C.E.)
371-289 B.C.E. Life of Menscius, a later Confucian
369-286 B.C.E. Life of Zhuangzi (previously Chuang Tzu)
356 B.C.E. Building of the first wall in China, against the Huns
233 B.C.E. Death of Sunzi, author of The Art of War, marks the end of Chinese classical philosophy
215 B.C.E. Great Wall of China constructed to keep out invaders.
died 122 B.C.E. Hui-nan Tzu, later Taoist who developed a cosmology for Taoism.
110 B.C.E. Sima Qian begins preparation of Shiji (The Grand Scribe’s Records), the first systematic history of China
1st century C.E. Buddhism introduced into China.
circa 300 C.E. Liezi, third major ‘classic’ of philosophical Taoism (? he may date to 4th century B.C.E.), and Guo Xiang’s (Kuo Hsiang’s) commentary on Zhuangzi
640s C.E. Development of Chan Buddhism (Zen)
768-824 Life of Han Yu, who first formulates NeoConfucianism
843-845 Taoist emperor Wuzong persecutes Chinese Buddhists, Christians, and Zoroastrians.
circa 1000 Rise of NeoConfucianism
1292 Marco Polo arrives in Fuzhou, China.
1644-1911 Last dynasty, Manchu (Quin), rules China.
1724-1777 Life of Dai Zhen (Tai Chen)
1854-1864 Taiping Rebellion
1887-1976 Life of Chiang Kai-shek
1891-1976 Life of Mao Zedong
1911 The Chinese revolution
1945 Establishment of communist People’s Republic of China
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