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  • Han, China
    2
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Fifty-nine million people in the Han empire

    Han, China
    2

    A census counted fifty-nine million people in the Han empire.




  • China
    3
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ban Biao

    China
    3

    Ping of Han established a national school system.




  • Chang'an, China
    Tuesday Jan 3, 6
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ping died

    Chang'an, China
    Tuesday Jan 3, 6

    Ping died after being poisoned by Wang Mang, who became acting emperor.




  • China
    8
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Liu Xin completed a star catalogue and calculated the length of the year

    China
    8

    Liu Xin completed a star catalogue and calculated the length of the year.




  • Chang'an, China
    9
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Wang Mang declared himself emperor of the Xin dynasty

    Chang'an, China
    9

    Wang Mang declared himself emperor of the Xin dynasty.




  • Chang'an, China
    10
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Wang introduced an income tax of ten percent for professionals

    Chang'an, China
    10

    Wang Mang introduced an income tax of ten percent for professionals and skilled laborers.




  • (Present-Day Rizhao, China)
    17
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Mother Lü initiated a rebellion against a county magistrate in Haiqu County

    (Present-Day Rizhao, China)
    17

    Mother Lü initiated a rebellion against a county magistrate in Haiqu County, near modern Rizhao.


  • Kunyang, Henan, China
    23
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Kunyang

    Kunyang, Henan, China
    23

    Lülin forces broke the siege of Kunyang, in modern Ye County, by a vastly superior Xin army.


  • Chang'an, China
    Friday Oct 6, 23
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Lülin rebels stormed the Weiyang Palace and killed Wang

    Chang'an, China
    Friday Oct 6, 23

    Lülin rebels stormed the Weiyang Palace and killed Wang. The Gengshi Emperor ascended the throne, restoring the Han dynasty.


  • China
    25
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Gengshi Emperor was executed

    China
    25

    The Gengshi Emperor was executed.


  • China
    25
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Red Eyebrows appointed Liu Penzi their emperor

    China
    25

    The Red Eyebrows appointed Liu Penzi their emperor.


  • Luoyang, China
    Tuesday Aug 5, 25
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Emperor Guangwu of Han took the title emperor

    Luoyang, China
    Tuesday Aug 5, 25

    The Han warlord Emperor Guangwu of Han took the title emperor.


  • China
    27
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    The Red Eyebrows surrendered to the Han dynasty

    China
    27

    The Red Eyebrows surrendered to the Han dynasty.


  • Anling, Fufeng County, China
    32
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ban Gu is born

    Anling, Fufeng County, China
    32

    Ban Gu, the co-author of the Book of Han, is born.


  • China
    Thursday Mar 29, 57
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ming of Han

    China
    Thursday Mar 29, 57

    Guangwu died. He was succeeded by his son Emperor Ming of Han.


  • Luoyang, China
    68
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    The Buddhist White Horse Temple was established

    Luoyang, China
    68

    The Buddhist White Horse Temple was established in Luoyang.


  • Hami City, China
    Feb, 73
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Yiwulu

    Hami City, China
    Feb, 73

    A punitive Han expedition against the Xiongnu captured territory in the area of modern Hami City.


  • Luoyang, China
    75
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Zhang of Han

    Luoyang, China
    75

    Ming died. He was succeeded by his son Emperor Zhang of Han.


  • China
    83
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Wang Chong correctly theorized the nature of the water cycle

    China
    83

    Wang Chong correctly theorized the nature of the water cycle.


  • China
    86
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Jin Midi died

    China
    86

    Jin Midi died.


  • China
    88
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    He of Han

    China
    88

    Zhang died. He was succeeded by his son Emperor He of Han.


  • China
    100
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Xu Shen completed the Shuowen Jiezi

    China
    100

    Xu Shen completed the Shuowen Jiezi.


  • China
    Friday Feb 13, 105
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    He of Han died

    China
    Friday Feb 13, 105

    He of Han died.


  • Luoyang, China
    Mar, 105
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Shang of Han

    Luoyang, China
    Mar, 105

    He's infant son Emperor Shang of Han was made emperor of Han with empress dowager Deng Sui acting as regent.


  • China
    105
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Cai Lun invented papermaking

    China
    105

    Cai Lun invented papermaking.


  • Luoyang, China
    106
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Shang of Han died

    Luoyang, China
    106

    Shang died.


  • Luoyang, China
    106
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    An of Han

    Luoyang, China
    106

    Shang's young cousin Emperor An of Han became emperor, with Deng Sui continuing to act as regent.


  • China
    Monday Apr 30, 125
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    An of Han died

    China
    Monday Apr 30, 125

    An died.


  • Luoyang, Han dynasty, China
    125
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Marquess of Beixiang became emperor

    Luoyang, Han dynasty, China
    125

    The Marquess of Beixiang became emperor of the Han dynasty.


  • Han, China
    Monday Dec 10, 125
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Marquess of Beixiang died

    Han, China
    Monday Dec 10, 125

    The Marquess of Beixiang died.


  • Luoyang, China
    125
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    An's son Emperor Shun of Han became emperor of the Han dynasty

    Luoyang, China
    125

    An's son Emperor Shun of Han became emperor of the Han dynasty.


  • China
    132
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Zhang Heng invented a seismometer capable of indicating the direction of earthquakes

    China
    132

    Zhang Heng invented a seismometer capable of indicating the direction of earthquakes.


  • China
    142
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    The Cantong qi was published

    China
    142

    The Cantong qi was published.


  • Luoyang, China
    144
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Chong of Han

    Luoyang, China
    144

    Shun died. He was succeeded by his infant son Emperor Chong of Han, with empress dowager Liang Na and her brother Liang Ji acting as regents.


  • Han, China
    Monday Feb 15, 145
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Chong of Han died

    Han, China
    Monday Feb 15, 145

    Chong of Han died.


  • Han, China
    Saturday Mar 6, 145
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Zhi of Han

    Han, China
    Saturday Mar 6, 145

    Chong's young third cousin Emperor Zhi of Han became emperor of the Han dynasty, with Liang Na acting as regent.


  • Han, China
    Tuesday Jul 26, 146
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Liang Ji poisoned Zhi

    Han, China
    Tuesday Jul 26, 146

    Liang Ji poisoned Zhi, killing him.


  • Han dynasty, China
    Monday Aug 1, 146
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Huan of Han

    Han dynasty, China
    Monday Aug 1, 146

    Emperor Huan of Han became emperor of the Han dynasty.


  • Han dynasty, China
    147
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Lokaksema was born

    Han dynasty, China
    147

    Lokaksema was born.


  • China
    166
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Sino-Roman relations

    China
    166

    A Roman envoy arrived at the Han capital Luoyang.


  • Daqin (Present-Day in China)
    166
    Roman Empire

    Roman embassy from "Daqin"

    Daqin (Present-Day in China)
    166

    It is possible that an alleged Roman embassy from "Daqin" that arrived in Eastern Han China in 166 via a Roman maritime route into the South China Sea, landing at Jiaozhou (northern Vietnam) and bearing gifts for the Emperor Huan of Han (r. 146–168), was sent by Marcus Aurelius, or his predecessor Antoninus Pius (the confusion stems from the transliteration of their names as "Andun", Chinese: 安敦).


  • Han, China
    166
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Disasters of the Partisan Prohibitions

    Han, China
    166

    Several ministers and some two hundred university students, who had opposed the influence of corrupt eunuchs at the royal court, were arrested.


  • Han, China
    168
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ling of Han

    Han, China
    168

    Emperor Ling of Han became emperor of the Han dynasty.


  • Han, China
    Monday Jan 25, 168
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Huan of Han died

    Han, China
    Monday Jan 25, 168

    Huan of Han died.


  • Qi County, Henan, China
    170s
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Cai Wenji was born

    Qi County, Henan, China
    170s

    Cai Wenji was born.


  • China
    179
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    The earliest known reference to The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art appeared

    China
    179

    The earliest known reference to The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art appeared.


  • China
    180
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ding Huan invented the rotary fan

    China
    180

    Ding Huan invented the rotary fan.


  • China
    184
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Yellow Turban Rebellion

    China
    184

    The Taoist sect leader Zhang Jue called on his followers in the Han provinces to rebel against the government.


  • Hexi Corridor, China
    184
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Liang Province rebellion

    Hexi Corridor, China
    184

    The Qiang people launched a rebellion against Han authority in the area of modern Wuwei.


  • China
    185
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Zhi Yao first translated Buddhist texts into Chinese

    China
    185

    Zhi Yao first translated Buddhist texts into Chinese.


  • Han, China
    Wednesday May 13, 189
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ling of Han died

    Han, China
    Wednesday May 13, 189

    Ling of Han died.


  • Han, China
    189
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Liu Bian became emperor of the Han dynasty

    Han, China
    189

    Ling's son Liu Bian became emperor of the Han dynasty.


  • Han, China
    189
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu massacre

    Han, China
    189

    Forces loyal to the warlords Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu massacred some two thousand eunuchs in the Han capital Luoyang.


  • Han, China
    Monday Sep 28, 189
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Dong Zhuo deposed Liu Bian as emperor and appointed his brother Emperor Xian of Han

    Han, China
    Monday Sep 28, 189

    The Han general Dong Zhuo deposed Liu Bian as emperor and appointed his brother Emperor Xian of Han in his stead.


  • Henan, China
    Feb, 190
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Campaign against Dong Zhuo

    Henan, China
    Feb, 190

    A coalition led by Yuan Shao gathered at Hangu Pass in anticipation of an expedition against Dong.


  • China
    Tuesday May 22, 192
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Dong was assassinated by his foster son Lü Bu

    China
    Tuesday May 22, 192

    Dong was assassinated by his foster son Lü Bu.


  • China
    194
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Sun Ce's conquests in Jiangdong

    China
    194

    The warlord Sun Ce attacked and conquered territory administered by Lu Kang.


  • Han, China
    197
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    War between Cao Cao and Zhang Xiu almost take Cao Cao's life

    Han, China
    197

    War between Cao Cao and Zhang Xiu almost take Cao Cao's life. Cao Cao's oldest son perished in the battle, but Zhang Xiu later (199) surrendered to Cao Cao to face Yuan Shao together.


  • Xiapi, Xu Province (Present-Day Pizhou, Jiangsu, China)
    198
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Xiapi

    Xiapi, Xu Province (Present-Day Pizhou, Jiangsu, China)
    198

    The allied forces of the warlords Cao Cao and Liu Bei defeated an army loyal to Lü Bu in Xuzhou.


  • Northeast of present-day Zhongmu County, Henan, China
    Nov, 200
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Guandu

    Northeast of present-day Zhongmu County, Henan, China
    Nov, 200

    Forces loyal to Cao Cao dealt a bloody defeat to Yuan Shao near the confluence of the Bian and Yellow Rivers.


  • Close to the Yangtze River, China
    208
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Red Cliffs

    Close to the Yangtze River, China
    208

    Forces loyal to the warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan decisively repelled Cao Cao in an attempted invasion across the Yangtze River.


  • Tong Pass (Present-Day Tongguan County, Shaanxi, China)
    Sep, 211
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Tong Pass

    Tong Pass (Present-Day Tongguan County, Shaanxi, China)
    Sep, 211

    Cao Cao defeated an alliance of anti-Han rebels in modern Tongguan County, securing his control over Guanzhong.


  • Yi Province (Present-Day Sichuan and Chongqing), China
    215
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province

    Yi Province (Present-Day Sichuan and Chongqing), China
    215

    Liu Zhang, the governor of Yi Province in modern Sichuan and Chongqing, surrendered Chengdu to Liu Bei.


  • East of Hefei, Anhui, China
    215
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Xiaoyao Ford

    East of Hefei, Anhui, China
    215

    A plague outbreak forced Sun Quan to abandon the attempted conquest from Cao Cao of a fortress at Hefei.


  • Hanzhong, Shaanxi, China
    219
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Han River

    Hanzhong, Shaanxi, China
    219

    Liu Bei ambushed and dealt a bloody defeat to Cao Cao's army in Hanzhong.


  • Fancheng (Present-Day Fancheng District, Xiangyang, Hubei, China)
    Aug, 219
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Fancheng

    Fancheng (Present-Day Fancheng District, Xiangyang, Hubei, China)
    Aug, 219

    Cao Cao repelled an attack by Liu Bei's general Guan Yu in modern Fancheng District, at great cost to both sides.


  • Hubei, China
    Nov, 219
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province

    Hubei, China
    Nov, 219

    Liu Bei's generals Shi Ren and Mi Fang defected to Sun Quan, surrendering to his general Lü Meng the main defense posts of Jingzhou.


  • Han, China
    Sunday Dec 10, 220
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    End of the Han dynasty

    Han, China
    Sunday Dec 10, 220

    Cao Cao's son Cao Pi forced Xian to abdicate the throne and declared himself emperor of Cao Wei.


  • Shu Han, China
    221
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Liu Bei declared himself emperor of Shu Han

    Shu Han, China
    221

    Liu Bei declared himself emperor of Shu Han.


  • China
    6th Century
    Meditation

    First Original School

    China
    6th Century

    The Silk Road transmission of Buddhism introduced meditation to other oriental countries. Bodhidharma is traditionally considered the transmitter of the concept of Zen to China. However, the first "original school" in East Asia was founded by his contemporary Zhiyi in the 6th century in central China. Zhiyi managed to systematically organize the various teachings that had been imported from India in a way that their relationship with each other made sense.


  • China
    7th Century
    Great Wall of China

    Sui Dynasty Great Wall

    China
    7th Century

    Later, the Han, the Northern Dynasties and the Sui all repaired, rebuilt, or expanded sections of the Great Wall at great cost to defend themselves against northern invaders.


  • China
    1st Millenium
    Great Wall of China

    Other Dynasty's walls

    China
    1st Millenium

    Non-Han dynasties also built their border walls: the Xianbei-ruled Northern Wei, the Khitan-ruled Liao, Jurchen Jin and the Tangut-established Western Xia, who ruled vast territories over Northern China throughout centuries, all constructed defensive walls but those were located much to the north of the other Great Walls as we know it, within China's province of Inner Mongolia and in Mongolia itself.


  • China
    616
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    Destroying a Wall-Attacking Tower

    China
    616

    A large meteorite fell onto the rebel Lu Ming-Yueh's camp, destroying a wall-attacking tower in 616. The death toll from this enent is estimated to be more than 10 people.


  • China
    2698 BC
    Martial arts

    Chinese martial arts originated

    China
    2698 BC

    Chinese martial arts originated during the legendary, possibly apocryphal, Xia Dynasty more than 4000 years ago. It is said the Yellow Emperor Huangdi (c. 2698 BCE) introduced the earliest fighting systems to China. The Yellow Emperor is described as a famous general who before becoming China's leader, wrote lengthy treatises on medicine, astrology and martial arts. One of his main opponents was Chi You who was credited as the creator of jiao di, a forerunner to the modern art of Chinese wrestling.


  • Mongol Empire (now China)
    Wednesday Sep 27, 1290
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1290 Chihli Earthquake

    Mongol Empire (now China)
    Wednesday Sep 27, 1290

    The 1290 Chihli earthquake occurred on 27 September with an epicenter near Ningcheng, Zhongshu Sheng (Zhili or Chihli), Yuan Empire. The earthquake had an estimated surface wave magnitude of 6.8 and a maximum felt intensity of IX (Violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale. One estimate places the death toll at 7,270, while another has it at 100,000.


  • Mongol Empire (now China)
    Tuesday Sep 25, 1303
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1303 Hongdong Earthquake

    Mongol Empire (now China)
    Tuesday Sep 25, 1303

    The 1303 Hongdong earthquake occurred in China, then part of the Mongol Empire, on September 25. The shock was estimated to have a magnitude of 8.0 and it had a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). With catastrophic damage, it was one of the deadliest recorded earthquakes of all time. In Taiyuan and Pingyang, nearly 100,000 houses collapsed and over 200,000 people died from collapsing buildings and loess caves in a similar manner to the situation that would be experienced 253 years later in the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake (陕西).


  • China
    1310
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1310 Western Hubei Landslide

    China
    1310

    1310 Western Hubei landslide in 1310, in China. The death toll from this landslide is estimated to be 3,466 people.


  • China, Eurasia
    1334
    Plague

    The second plague pandemic breaks out in China

    China, Eurasia
    1334

    The second plague pandemic breaks out in China. Widely known as the "Black Death" or the Great Plague, it is regarded as one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people in Eurasia.


  • Central Asia
    1338
    Plague

    Bubonic plague

    Central Asia
    1338

    Bubonic plague is reported in central Asia.


  • China and India
    1346
    Plague

    Bubonic plague breaks out in China and India

    China and India
    1346

    Bubonic plague breaks out in China and India.


  • 14th Century
    Great Wall of China

    Reviving the great wall concept

    14th Century

    The Great Wall concept was revived again under the Ming in the 14th century, and following the Ming army's defeat by the Oirats in the Battle of Tumu. The Ming had failed to gain a clear upper hand over the Mongolian tribes after successive battles, and the long-drawn conflict was taking a toll on the empire. The Ming adopted a new strategy to keep the nomadic tribes out by constructing walls along the northern border of China. Acknowledging the Mongol control established in the Ordos Desert, the wall followed the desert's southern edge instead of incorporating the bend of the Yellow River.


  • Ming Dynasty (Present Day China)
    1408
    Libraries

    Yongle Encyclopedia

    Ming Dynasty (Present Day China)
    1408

    The Ming Dynasty in 1407 founded the imperial library, the Wen Yuan Pavilion. It also sponsored the massive compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia, containing 11,000 volumes including copies of over 7000 books. It was soon destroyed, but similar very large compilations appeared in 1725 and 1772.


  • China
    15th Century
    Great Wall of China

    Liaodong Wall

    China
    15th Century

    During the 1440s–1460s, the Ming also built a so-called "Liaodong Wall". Similar in function to the Great Wall (whose extension, in a sense, it was), but more basic in construction, the Liaodong Wall enclosed the agricultural heartland of the Liaodong province, protecting it against potential incursions by Jurched-Mongol Oriyanghan from the northwest and the Jianzhou Jurchens from the north.


  • Qingyang, Gansu, China
    1490
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1490 CH'Ing-Yang Event

    Qingyang, Gansu, China
    1490

    The Ch'ing-yang event of 1490 (also Ch'ing-yang, Chi-ing-yang or Chíing-yang meteor shower) is a presumed meteor shower or air burst in Qingyang in March or April 1490. The area was in the province of Shaanxi but is now part of Gansu. If a meteor shower did occur, it may have been the result of the disintegration of an asteroid during an atmospheric entry air burst. More than 10,000 people were struck dead. All of the people in the city fled to other places.


  • China
    Sunday Jan 22, 1556
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1556 Shaanxi Earthquake

    China
    Sunday Jan 22, 1556

    The 1556 Shaanxi earthquake or Huaxian earthquake is the deadliest earthquake in recorded history: according to imperial records approximately 830,000 people lost their lives. It occurred on the morning of 23 January 1556 in Shaanxi, during the Ming Dynasty. More than 97 counties in the provinces of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Gansu, Hebei, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu and Anhui were affected.


  • Ming Dynasty (Present Day Ningbo, Zhejiang, China)
    1561
    Libraries

    Tianyi Chamber

    Ming Dynasty (Present Day Ningbo, Zhejiang, China)
    1561

    Tianyi Chamber, founded in 1561 by Fan Qin during the Ming Dynasty, is the oldest existing library in China. In its heyday it boasted a collection of 70,000 volumes of antique books.


  • China
    1567
    Great Wall of China

    Qi Jiguang repairs

    China
    1567

    Qi Jiguang between 1567 and 1570 also repaired and reinforced the wall, faced sections of the ram-earth wall with bricks and constructed 1,200 watchtowers from Shanhaiguan Pass to Changping to warn of approaching Mongol raiders.


  • China
    1570s
    Martial arts

    Ji Xiao Xin Shu

    China
    1570s

    Chinese martial arts developed with Ming-era treatises such as Ji Xiao Xin Shu.


  • Changshou District, Chongqing, China
    1639
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    10 Homes Destroyed

    Changshou District, Chongqing, China
    1639

    10 homes destroyed in Changshou District, Chongqing, China, in 1639. The death toll from this event is estimated to be "Tens" .


  • Liaodong, China
    1644
    Great Wall of China

    The end of the Ming

    Liaodong, China
    1644

    Towards the end of the Ming, the Great Wall helped defend the empire against the Manchu invasions that began around 1600. Even after the loss of all of Liaodong, the Ming army held the heavily fortified Shanhai Pass, preventing the Manchus from conquering the Chinese heartland. The Manchus were finally able to cross the Great Wall in 1644, after Beijing had already fallen to Li Zicheng's rebels.


  • China
    1644
    Great Wall of China

    Qing rule

    China
    1644

    Under Qing rule, China's borders extended beyond the walls and Mongolia was annexed into the empire, so constructions on the Great Wall were discontinued. On the other hand, the so-called Willow Palisade, following a line similar to that of the Ming Liaodong Wall, was constructed by the Qing rulers in Manchuria. Its purpose, however, was not defense but rather to prevent Han Chinese migration into Manchuria.


  • Qing Empire (now China)
    Wednesday Jul 25, 1668
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1668 Shandong Earthquake

    Qing Empire (now China)
    Wednesday Jul 25, 1668

    1668 Shandong earthquake occurred on July 25, 1668, in Qing Empire (now China), there were an estimated 42,571 deaths.


  • Qing Empire (now China)
    Sunday Jun 19, 1718
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1718 Gansu Earthquake

    Qing Empire (now China)
    Sunday Jun 19, 1718

    1718 Gansu earthquake occurred on June 19, 1718 in Qing Empire (now China), there were an estimated 73,000 deaths.


  • China
    1772
    Plague

    The human plague is reported intermittently in the Chinese province of Yunnan

    China
    1772

    The human plague is reported intermittently in the Chinese province of Yunnan, where the third plague pandemic would begin in the 1860s.


  • Sichuan, China
    1786
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1786 Dadu River Landslide Dam

    Sichuan, China
    1786

    1786 Dadu River landslide dam; triggered by the 1786 Kangding-Luding earthquake in China. The death toll from this landslide is estimated to be 100,000 people.


  • China
    Monday Aug 29, 1842
    Xinhai Revolution

    The First Opium War

    China
    Monday Aug 29, 1842

    After suffering its first defeat to the West in the First Opium War in 1842, the Qing imperial court struggled to contain foreign intrusions into China. Efforts to adjust and reform the traditional methods of governance were constrained by a deeply conservative court culture that did not want to give away too much authority to reform.


  • Worldwide
    19th Century
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    Third Pandemic of Bubonic Plague (1855–1960)

    Worldwide
    19th Century

    Third Pandemic is the designation of a major bubonic plague pandemic that began in Yunnan province in China in 1855, fifth year of the Xianfeng Emperor of the Qing dynasty. This episode of bubonic plague spread to all inhabited continents, and ultimately more than 12 million people died in India and China, with about 10 million killed in India alone. According to the World Health Organization, the pandemic was considered active until 1960, when worldwide casualties dropped to 200 per year.


  • China
    Wednesday Oct 24, 1860
    Xinhai Revolution

    The Second Opium War

    China
    Wednesday Oct 24, 1860

    Following defeat in the Second Opium War in 1860, the Qing tried to modernize by adopting certain Western technologies through the Self-Strengthening Movement from 1861.


  • China
    1861
    Xinhai Revolution

    The Self-Strengthening Movement

    China
    1861

    Following defeat in the Second Opium War in 1860, the Qing tried to modernize by adopting certain Western technologies through the Self-Strengthening Movement from 1861.


  • China
    1867
    Plague

    The plague spreads from Yunnan Province to Beihai on the Chinese coastline

    China
    1867

    The plague spreads from Yunnan Province to Beihai on the Chinese coastline.


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