JOURNAL 12.1: Who are Taizong and Wu Zhao?

Chapter 12: Empires in East Asia Section 1: Tang and Song China

12.1 OBJECTIVES Identify the main rulers of the Tang Dynasty. Describe the causes and effects of the Song dynasty’s retreat to the south. Summarize the achievements of the Tang and Song empires. Describe changes in Chinese society.

Setting the Stage After Han Dynasty collapsed in A.D. 220, Wendi came to power and united southern and northern China once again Through his leadership, China entered a Golden Age

The Tang Dynasty Expands China Wendi First emperor of the Sui (sway) Dynasty Two emperors 581-618 Build the Grand Canal Connected Huang He to Chang Jiang Trade route to get rice from the south 1 million peasants 5 years Rebuilt the Great Wall People revolted against the Sui Emperor was murdered

Tang Rulers Create a Powerful Empire Tang Empire (618-907) Took power after the Sui Ruled for 300 years Powerful leader Tang Taizong Expanded the empire Led by Empress Wu Zhao (Woo Jow) Expanded into Korea Ruled in the background under weak leaders and then took over herself- Only women EVER!

Tang Rulers Create a Powerful Empire cont. Tang Empire Strengthened the central government Expanded network of roads and canals Promoted foreign trade Improvements in agriculture

Scholar-Officials Tang Wanted a strong beaucracy Revitalized the civil service system from the Han Dynasty Those who passed the difficult test were called “scholar-officials” Tests open to all but not everyone could afford the education necessary to pass Overall, the civil service system was successful in creating a well-trained gov.

The Tang Lose Power Imposed crushing taxes to pay for projects Muslims invade their territory Internal rebellion Emperor killed (child)

The Song Dynasty Restores China After the Tang Dynasty, China divided into separate kingdoms Song (sung) Dynasty Taizu United China Named himself Song emperor (sung) Lasted 300 years Empire was prosperous Never regained previously lost territory Bribed neighbors in order to keep the peace Lost northern portion of their territory to the powerful Jurchen people New capital set up at Hangzhou

An Era of Prosperity and Innovation China’s population grew to 100 million during the Tang and Song Dynasties China now the most populous country in the world (still is)

Science & Technology Inventions Movable type Gunpowder Porcelain Printer could arrange blocks of individual characters in a frame and make up a page for printing Gunpowder Porcelain Mechanical clock Paper money Magnetic compass for sailing Innovations Negative numbers

Agriculture Contributed to the growth of China Rice Rapid growing rice came from Vietnam Distributed throughout the kingdom Needed to feed the people of the country

Trade and Foreign Contacts Tang Dynasty Guarded the Silk Roads China lost control of the roads during the decline Therefore, Chinese moved to ocean trade Advances in sailing technology Magnetic compass Traded with Korea, India, Japan, Persian Gulf, and Africa Chinese exported a lot, including Buddhism Through trade, other religions entered China

Golden Age of Poetry & Art Tang Dynasty Produced great poetry Li Bo- wrote about life’s pleasures Tu Fu- praised orderliness and Confucian virtues Critical of war & hardships of soldiers Song Dynasty Show Daoist influence Artists emphasize nature Black ink was their favorite paint

Changes in Chinese Society Chinese became mobile Levels of Society Upper-class scholar-officials Gentry- well-to-do people Urban Middle Class merchants, shopkeepers, skilled artisans, minor officials, and others Laborers, soldiers, and servants

The Status of Women Women were subservient to men Declined further during the Tang and Song Role of women later began to change Binding the feet of upper-class girls See page 327 Showed wealth of the husband Beautiful and Impractical wife