View source for Chinese Dynasties – Qin to Qing

China has been ruled by several lines of families (dynasties) ruled.  At first the land used to be divided by independent states that only occasionally deferred to the king. The first unified state was formed in 221 BC by the Qin Dynasty. The Chinese language was forcibly standardized. This state did not last long as due to a rebellion. The following Han Dynasty managed to create a cultural identity that lasts to the present day. The Han Dynasty expanded China's territory with military campaigns reaching Korea, Vietnam, Mongolia and Central Asia. It also helped to establish the Silk Road in Central Asia. After Han's collapse China de-unified to three kingdoms but later reunified by following Dynasties.
In 1271, the Yuan Dynasty was established by a Mongol emperor that invaded China, taken over by a Chinese peasant who managed to over through the Mongols and founded the Ming Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty, which lasted until 1912, was the last dynasty in China.