Chinese Dynasties Sui, Tang, Song A.D. 589-1279 Post Classical China Chinese Dynasties Sui, Tang, Song A.D. 589-1279

Sui Dynasty A.D. 581-618 Reunited China after 4 centuries of warring states Restored the bureaucratic institutions of the Han Dynasty Sui rulers at first lowered taxes and established granaries for protection against famine Promoted the scholar gentry Most notable accomplishment was the building of the grand canals which united the Yellow River and Northern plains to the Yangtze river valley in the South

Sui Grand Canal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canal_of_China

Fall of the Sui Aristocratic families were threatened by advancement of scholar-gentry Building projects and luxurious living forced higher tax and service demands on people Unpopular wars, construction projects and abuse of Chinese peasants led to downfall of dynasty Emperor assassinated by his own ministers

Tang Dynasty Expansions A.D. 618-907 First ruler laid the groundwork for the golden age by conquering nomadic peoples as far to the west as Afghanistan, Korea to the East and Vietnam to the South Chinese intermarried with peoples to the west along the Silk Road Continued repairs on the Great Wall begun by the previous dynasty Larger than Han Dynasty

Map of Tang Dynasty http://googlemaps.com

Other reforms Rulers used scholar-gentry bureaucrats to combat the power of the aristocrats Bureaucracy reached down to the equivalent of the county level Scholars were educated in academies studying the Confucian classics Examination system was expanded and civil service advancement was standardized Exams were increasingly more difficult and those who passed to the highest ranks enjoyed the benefits of the power of their positions Social connections also played a role in determining bureaucratic positions

Religion As the empire grew, Buddhism became an important force in China Different sects of Buddhism including Mahayana and Chan or Zen which was appealing to the educated classes of Chinese Tang dynasty used Confucianism as its training for bureaucrats but Buddhism was popular as evidenced with the building of temples, pagodas, monasteries and nunneries

Anti-Buddhism Scholar gentry threatened by the popularity of Buddhism began a movement against the religion Proclaimed the religion to be foreign and undermining traditional Chinese values Much non-taxable land was owned by monasteries State fear of Buddhist power led to open persecution of Buddhists and destruction of temples and statues Buddhism continued to exist in China but never as much of a dominant force as during the Tang dynasty Buddhism left its mark on Chinese art, language and thought but it was supplanted by Confucianism as the central focus of Chinese civilization

Social Conditions Status of women improved during the Tang era Chinese incorporated many customs of the peoples to the West and North – horsemanship and polo became important activities Changan the capital of the dynasty a cosmopolitan city with traders from though out Asia Improvements in roads, canals, infrastructure, and shipping allowed for increased exports of goods Chinese exported porcelain as well as silk

Influential Rulers Empress Wu only woman to rule China Became a favored wife and effectively ruled during illness of the emperor Took the throne herself at age 65 and ruled until she was 80 http://www.spock.com/picture_frame/12d0a88w975095e1ec

Images of the Tang Dynasty Emperor Xuanzong wearing the clothes of a scholar. Horseman herding horses. Statues of foreign dignitaries. Tang glazed figurine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_Dynasty

Song Dynasty A.D. 960-1279 Reduced power of military that had caused conflicts in the Tang Dynasty only civilians were allowed to be governors Further increased power of bureaucracy Failed to gain control of northern China and forced to pay tribute to rulers which eventually led to their downfall Center of culture for all of East Asia

Song Dynasty http:// depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/1xarsong.htm

Neo-Confucianism Scholarly work on philosophy and new interpretations of Confucian beliefs Emphasized the beliefs of the strong male-dominated family with development of personal morality and the importance of wisdom of scholars Developed a hostility to outside influences at a time when innovations were occurring throughout the world Chinese turned inward and focused on finding answers in their past became less innovative and critical thinking was not encouraged

Social Conditions Position of women improved in Tang and Song Dynasties In the later years of the Song Dynasty conditions deteriorated for women An example is the practice of foot binding http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/China/04/hutchins/hutchins.htm

Golden Age of Tang and Song Tang encouraged trade and cultural diffusion to the west and also to the south Asian seas. Ships began to use the compass for navigation in the Song dynasty Inventions Gunpowder Compass as a navigational tool Block printing Paper Money Better irrigation systems Wheelbarrow

Culture These dynasties were creative centers for both poetry and art Education was directed toward generalists not specialists, a well-educated man was to create poems and art Art was used to unify the people and teach moral lessons Chinese landscapes emphasizing the importance of nature were composed in black or brown ink Abstract symbols were used to depict concepts or philosophical ideas

Legacy The Chinese heavily influenced Japan, Korea and Vietnam during the era of these dynasties. Buddhism which developed in India, spread to China transmitted Chinese civilization to other areas Increased agricultural production and techniques circulated throughout East Asia Printing improved literacy rates in East Asia Gunpowder and the compass as a navigational aid had a huge impact on global development