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 Did the Chinese really invent gunpowder?
Yes, although the exact date is uncertain. Most scholars place this event in the ninth century A.D. Originally, gunpowder was used for launching rockets and fireworks. By the twelfth century, it was being used for cannons. Gunpowder was only one of a great many technological innovations that came from China, along with paper, the compass, and movable-type printing.
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When was the Great Wall built?
Although sections of defensive walls had been built in the seventh century B.C., it was in 214 B.C. that the first Chinese Emperor commanded that these sections be unified into what would become the Great Wall of China. After the Qing dynasty came to power in the eighteenth century expansion of the wall was discontinued. Today, several sections have been renovated and are a world heritage site.
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What is a dynasty?
A dynasty is a succession of rulers who share the same ancestor. Beginning in the third century B.C., and up through the early twentieth century, China had a total of twelve major dynastic periods.
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Who were the Qing rulers?
The Qing (pronounced “ching”) emperors were Manchus from the northeast corner of China who took control of Beijing in 1644, and ruled until 1911, when the imperial era ended. They replaced the Ming dynasty which had also ruled for about three hundred years.
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