The Tang and Song Dynasties
The Tang Dynasty BCE
Founding of the Tang At 18 Tang Taizong lead his father’s armies to overthrow the Sui and found the Tang Dynasty
About Tang Taizong Very intelligent Great military leader Studied the teachings of Confucius and modeled his government by them
The Golden Rule
Confucius on…. Politics- Leaders needed to practice self discipline. This would allow them to remain humble and treat their subjects with compassion. Do you see this today? Education- Main objective of education is to teach students to live with integrity (adhering to moral values, incorruptible). What do you think the main goal of education is today?
Confucius Sayings “Respect yourself and others will respect you” “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop” “Everything has its beauty, not everyone sees it”
Understood problems of common people Tried to make their lives better Changed land distribution more land to peasants bigger family= more land Taizong as Emperor
United China; got borders under control Fair taxation system Helped trade and manufacturing porcelain metal smelting cloth production silk paper
Life Under the Tang Dynasty Seen as a peaceful and prosperous Finished & made use of Grand Canal Empire was the largest it had ever been Use of Merit System Lose power after lousy leaders and rebellion
The Song Dynasty 960 CE CE
Song History Ruled longer than Tang, but with less territory Under constant threat from Mongols in the north Continued advances in agriculture New rice strains New farming techniques Also made heavy use of grand canal Ended by Mongol invasion in 1279
Life Under the Song Dynasty China was again peaceful and prosperous Height of Art, Poetry and Music Age of Invention Gunpowder Magnetic Compass Paper Money Printing books Strong trade- as far as Mid. East and Africa
Who were the Mongols? Nomads from the plains of Central Asia Tough military force Genghis Khan- grew empire to include China, Korea, Russia and parts of Eastern Europe, southwest to the Persian Gulf
Kublai Khan- Mongol Ruler of China Grandson of Genghis Khan Responsible for completing the conquest of China (Song Dynasty) Took Song Dynasty when he was 20 years old
Yuan Dynasty Center in Beijing Yuan means “beginning” Kublai Khan becomes emperor of China
China under Mongol Rule Did not allow old Chinese ruling class to govern China Government positions went to Mongols and foreigners, NOT Chinese Mongols kept their own language and customs Allowed many religions to be practiced
Fall of Mongols China prospered under Kublai Khan( mail system, trade and roads were good) BUT… The Khans or emperors after him were not as great 1368-peasant uprising ended Mongol rule in China