Discuss You are a peasant in China in the year 264. Your grandfather often speaks of a time when all China was united, but all you have known is warfare among many different rulers. A man passing through your village speaks of even more conflict in other areas. Why might you want China to have just one ruler? Can you think of a time when more than one person was telling you what to do? How did you feel?
7.1 China Reunifies page 166-169 EQ: What were the key events in the history of China from 220-1279?
Period of Disunion 220-589 Han Dynasty collapsed in 220 Split into rival kingdoms ruled by military leaders China was not unified War and disorder was common Lasted from 220 to 589
Period of Disunion Cultural Changes: Cultural blending North: Nomadic rulers and adopted Chinese culture South: Northern Chinese culture blended with Southern = new art, music, food, fashion etc. Buddhism flourished Seeking to escape suffering Find peace
Sui Dynasty 589-618 Key Facts: Unified under Yang Jian Ended Period of Disunion
Sui Dynasty Key Facts: Leaders restored order Began Grand Canal (linking northern and southern China) 589-618 (29 yrs)
Grand Canal
Tang Dynasty 618-907 Key Facts Emperor Taizong- many reforms China expanded it’s territory “Golden Age” of Chinese civilization Artistic, agricultural, commercial and cultural achievements Capital city of Chang’an Trade and cultural center Xuan-Zong – culture fourished Empress Wu-only woman to rule China
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Key Facts: 907-960 Period of chaos after fall of Tang Dynasty Separate kingdoms competed for power
Song Dynasty 960-1279 Key Facts: China reunified Time of economic growth Time of great accomplishments Lasted about 300 years
Age of Buddhism: 400-845 Originated in India around 500 B.C. Chinese people turned to Buddhism during the period of Disunion They were feeling the need for comfort due to the chaos of war.
Age of BUDDHISM Wealthy donated money to build Buddhist temples. Continued to spread during the Sui & Tang Dynasty Japan, Korea, & other parts of Asia
Age of Buddhism Influenced Chinese culture: art, literature, poetry, and architecture. Ended during Tang Dynasty Emperor launched an attack Burned Buddhist texts Took away their land Destroyed Buddhist temples