Historical Events in Shanghai

Ancient Times

• Before 1267: Area known as a fishing village and market town.
• 1291: Promoted to the status of a market town by the Yuan Dynasty.

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

• 1553: Construction of the City Wall to protect from Japanese pirates.

Qing Dynasty (1644–1912)

• 1842: Treaty of Nanking ends the First Opium War; Shanghai opens as one of the five treaty ports to foreign trade.

The Republic of China Era (1912–1949)

• 1912: Establishment of the Republic of China; Shanghai becomes an international city.
• 1927: The nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) establishes control over the city after the Shanghai Massacre.
• 1937: Battle of Shanghai during the Second Sino-Japanese War results in Japanese occupation until 1945.

People's Republic of China (1949–Present)

• 1949: Shanghai comes under the control of the Communist Party of China.
• 1990: Pudong New Area is established, signaling the start of major economic reforms and development.
• 2010: Shanghai hosts the World Expo, showcasing its advance and globalization.