Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/01. East Asian Civilizations • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The Ming and Qing dynasties represent the last two imperial dynasties of China, marked by the Ming founding, Zheng He's treasure voyages, the construction of the Forbidden City, and the High Qing prosperity under Kangxi and Qianlong.
Chronological Storyline (33 Milestones)
Jan 23, 1368 CE
Zhu Yuanzhang Proclaims Ming Dynasty
Zhu Yuanzhang, a peasant rebel leader, proclaims himself Hongwu Emperor and establishes the Ming Dynasty after overthrowing the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. #history #china
Zhu Yuanzhang Proclaims Ming Dynasty By Unknown author - Digitized by NPM; image is directly from Shuge, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122470843
1370 CE
Ming Reinstates Civil Service Examinations
The Hongwu Emperor reinstates the Confucian civil service examinations, emphasizing Neo-Confucian orthodoxy and shaping Ming bureaucracy. #history #china
Jul 13, 1402 CE
Yongle Emperor Ascends Throne
Zhu Di, Prince of Yan, usurps the throne and becomes the Yongle Emperor, moving the capital to Beijing and initiating major construction projects. #history #china
Yongle Emperor Ascends Throne By Unknown author - Digitized by NPM; image is directly from Shuge, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112316499
Jul 11, 1405 CE
Zheng He's First Voyage Begins
Admiral Zheng He embarks on the first of seven treasure voyages, expanding Chinese influence across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa. #history #exploration
Zheng He's First Voyage Begins By Marcin Konsek - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51927875
1407 CE
Yongle Encyclopedia Completed
The Yongle Encyclopedia, a massive compilation of Chinese knowledge and literature, is completed under the Yongle Emperor's patronage. #history #literature
Yongle Encyclopedia Completed By LW Yang - National Library of China, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71131094
1420 CE
Forbidden City Construction Completed
The Forbidden City in Beijing is completed, serving as the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties. #history #architecture
Forbidden City Construction Completed By Pixelflake - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19989908
Feb 2, 1421 CE
Beijing Becomes Ming Capital
The Yongle Emperor officially moves the Ming capital from Nanjing to Beijing, with the Forbidden City as the imperial center. #history #china
Beijing Becomes Ming Capital By Albert Herrmann Creator:Q1509115 & Georg Westermann - Historical and Commercial Atlas of China, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158240988
1433 CE
Zheng He's Final Voyage Ends
Zheng He returns from his seventh and last voyage, after which the Ming court halts maritime expeditions, leading to a period of isolation. #history #exploration
Sep 1, 1449 CE
Tumu Crisis: Ming Emperor Captured
The Zhengtong Emperor is captured by the Oirat Mongols at the Battle of Tumu, weakening Ming military prestige. #history #war
Tumu Crisis: Ming Emperor Captured By SY - Own work. Based on: Twitchett, Denis C; Grimm, Tilemann (1988). "The Cheng-t'ung, Ching-t'ai, and T'ien-shun reigns, 1436—1464". In Mote, Frederick W.; Twitchett, Denis C (eds.). The Cambridge History of China Volume 7: The Ming Dynasty, 1368–1644, Part 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521243327. p. 323. Kierman, Frank A.; Fairbank, John King (2013). Chinese Ways in Warfare. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674182042. p. 257., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62675501
1557 CE
Portuguese Settle in Macau
The Ming dynasty allows the Portuguese to establish a trading settlement in Macau, marking the first permanent European foothold in China. #history #trade
Portuguese Settle in Macau By see File history - GB 17654-1999 澳门特别行政区区旗, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433195
1582 CE
Matteo Ricci Arrives in China
Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci arrives in Macau and later reaches Beijing, introducing Western science and Christianity to the Ming court. #history #science
Matteo Ricci Arrives in China By Chinese brother Emmanuel Pereira (born Yu Wen-hui 游文辉) - Unknown source, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85942
Apr 25, 1644 CE
Li Zicheng Captures Beijing; Ming Falls
Rebel leader Li Zicheng captures Beijing, and the last Ming emperor Chongzhen commits suicide, ending the Ming dynasty. #history #china
Jun 6, 1644 CE
Qing Dynasty Takes Beijing
Manchu forces under the Qing dynasty, allied with Ming general Wu Sangui, enter Beijing and establish Qing rule over China. #history #china
Qing Dynasty Takes Beijing By Original: zh:清朝政府 Vector: Sodacan - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39922650
Feb 5, 1661 CE
Kangxi Emperor Ascends Throne
The Kangxi Emperor, one of China's greatest emperors, begins his 61-year reign, ushering in an era of stability and prosperity. #history #china
Kangxi Emperor Ascends Throne By AnonymousUnknown author Qing Dynasty Court Painter - Palace Museum, Beijing, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=126877712
Jul 8, 1683 CE
Qing Conquers Taiwan
The Qing navy defeats the Ming loyalist Kingdom of Tungning, incorporating Taiwan into the Qing Empire. #history #china
Qing Conquers Taiwan By Samhanin - 歡迎留言 (October 7th, 2014) 懷念的物！台北~總統府-正廳/台灣歷代國旗, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47964137
Aug 27, 1689 CE
Treaty of Nerchinsk with Russia
The Qing and Russian empires sign the Treaty of Nerchinsk, establishing borders and trade relations, the first treaty between China and a European power. #history #diplomacy
Treaty of Nerchinsk with Russia By Unknown (goverments of China/Russia) - https://k.sina.com.cn/article_5910774821_1604f442500100w60n.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=119752696
1716 CE
Kangxi Dictionary Published
The Kangxi Dictionary, a comprehensive Chinese dictionary, is published under the Kangxi Emperor's direction, standardizing Chinese characters. #history #language
Kangxi Dictionary Published By Malcolm I'Anson - Photo taken of book in my possession, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78376761
Dec 20, 1722 CE
Yongzheng Emperor Succeeds Kangxi
The Yongzheng Emperor, known for his efficient and strict rule, succeeds Kangxi and continues the High Qing era. #history #china
Yongzheng Emperor Succeeds Kangxi By Unknown author - https://www.dpm.org.cn/collection/paint/231803.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128355328
Oct 8, 1735 CE
Qianlong Emperor Ascends Throne
The Qianlong Emperor begins his 60-year reign, presiding over the peak of Qing prosperity and territorial expansion. #history #china
Qianlong Emperor Ascends Throne By Giuseppe Castiglione - https://minghuaji.dpm.org.cn/paint/detail?id=420a006ed10d4e13b1075ba6e780f07a, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128011643
1755 CE
Qing Conquers Dzungar Khanate
The Qing army defeats the Dzungar Khanate, incorporating Xinjiang into the empire and eliminating the last major Mongol threat. #history #war
Qing Conquers Dzungar Khanate By 钱维城 - 漠西蒙古, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12764582
1768 CE
Complete Library of Four Treasuries Begins
The Qianlong Emperor commissions the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries, a massive compilation of Chinese classics, completed in 1782. #history #literature
Complete Library of Four Treasuries Begins By Ji, Yun, 1724-1805 - http://www.wdl.org/media/3020/service/thumbnail/6000x6000/1/1.jpg Gallery: http://www.wdl.org/en/item/3020/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31402000
Sep 14, 1793 CE
Macartney Embassy to China
British envoy Lord Macartney meets the Qianlong Emperor, but fails to establish diplomatic relations, highlighting Qing isolationism. #history #diplomacy
Macartney Embassy to China By William Alexander - "A study of History", Arnold Toynbee (Original in the British Library's collection of Western Drawings [WD 961, f.57][1]), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2594135
Feb 9, 1796 CE
Jiaqing Emperor Succeeds Qianlong
The Qianlong Emperor abdicates in favor of his son, the Jiaqing Emperor, marking the end of the High Qing era and the beginning of decline. #history #china
Jiaqing Emperor Succeeds Qianlong By Annonymous Qing Dynasty Court Painter - Palace Museum, Beijing, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15172676
Jun 3, 1839 CE
First Opium War Begins
The Qing dynasty attempts to suppress opium trade, leading to the First Opium War with Britain, which exposes Qing military weakness. #history #war
First Opium War Begins By Edward Duncan - http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/21f/21f.027/opium_wars_01/ow1_gallery/pages/1841_0792_nemesis_jm_nmm.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5520025
Aug 29, 1842 CE
Treaty of Nanjing Signed
The Qing dynasty signs the Treaty of Nanjing, ceding Hong Kong to Britain and opening five treaty ports, marking the start of unequal treaties. #history #diplomacy
Treaty of Nanjing Signed By Painted by Captain John Platt, Bengal Volunteers. Engraved by John Burnet. - Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12229605
Jan 11, 1850 CE
Taiping Rebellion Begins
Hong Xiuquan leads the Taiping Rebellion, a massive civil war that devastates China and weakens the Qing dynasty. #history #war
Taiping Rebellion Begins By Wu Youru - https://www.battle-of-qurman.com.cn/e/hist.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10326396
Aug 22, 1861 CE
Tongzhi Restoration Begins
The Tongzhi Emperor ascends the throne, and the Qing court initiates the Self-Strengthening Movement to modernize the military and industry. #history #china
Tongzhi Restoration Begins By Annonymous Qing Dynasty Court Painter - Palace Museum, Beijing, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15172630
Apr 17, 1895 CE
Treaty of Shimonoseki Signed
After the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing cedes Taiwan to Japan and recognizes Korean independence, signaling Qing decline. #history #war
Treaty of Shimonoseki Signed By World Imaging - Own work, photographed at Japan Foreign Ministry Archives, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12765295
Jun 11, 1898 CE
Hundred Days' Reform
The Guangxu Emperor initiates sweeping reforms to modernize China, but they are crushed by Empress Dowager Cixi after 103 days. #history #politics
Hundred Days' Reform By Not identified - W. A. P. Martin (1901). The Lore of Cathay or the Intellect of China. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company. p. 18., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11307185
Jun 20, 1900 CE
Boxer Rebellion Erupts
The Boxer Rebellion, an anti-foreign uprising, is suppressed by the Eight-Nation Alliance, further weakening the Qing dynasty. #history #war
Boxer Rebellion Erupts By Unknown author - Kaiserliche Marine, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10412587
Sep 2, 1905 CE
Civil Service Examinations Abolished
The Qing dynasty abolishes the traditional civil service examinations, ending a 1,300-year-old system and paving the way for modern education. #history #education
Civil Service Examinations Abolished By Qiu Ying (仇英) (attributed) - In the collection of the National Palace Museum, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=598340
Oct 10, 1911 CE
Wuchang Uprising Sparks Xinhai Revolution
The Wuchang Uprising begins the Xinhai Revolution, leading to the fall of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. #history #revolution
Wuchang Uprising Sparks Xinhai Revolution By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=685617
Feb 12, 1912 CE
Puyi Abdicates; Qing Dynasty Ends
The last Qing emperor, Puyi, abdicates, ending over 2,000 years of imperial rule in China and ushering in the Republic of China. #history #china
Puyi Abdicates; Qing Dynasty Ends By Unknown author - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/amp/pin/471822498445876797/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158392960
