POST-CLASSICAL PERIOD EAST ASIA POST-CLASSICAL PERIOD

Background China dominated East Asia during Post-Classical Age. China enjoyed wealth, political stability, and artistic and intellectual achievements The fall of the Han Dynasty resulted in anarchy Political unity returned under the Sui Dynasty (581-618 C.E.)

The Sui Dynasty 581-618 C.E. Sui Yangdi founded empire through violence. Ruled as a hard dictator/emperor. Greatest accomplishment was the Grand Canal. Transported rice from Yangtze River valley to the north. Resulted in expanded trade. Emperor was assassinated in 618.

The Tang Dynasty 618-907 C.E. Rulers extended the empire further into Asia. Was the center of a tribute system with their neighbors. Caused China to be the economic and political power in Asia. Tribute states required to perform the “kowtow”. Expanded the bureaucracy with the civil service exam Buddhism spread into China though monks. Military leader, An Lushan, began a rebellion which weakened the dynasty.

The Song Dynasty 960-1279 C.E Smaller than the Tang due to nomads (Jin) taking northern land. Size of government and bureaucracy increased. Increased cost of government contributed to decline. Scholar-gentry (government officials who were experts in Confucianism) in charge of military. Nomadic invasions took over northern territory. Dynasty ended when Mongol Empire conquered region.

Economic Developments Agriculture reform led to economic growth Equal field system = all Chinese have land to farm Goal to remove land from upper classes Improvements in irrigation Fast-ripening rice brought from Vietnam Proto-industrialization = producing commercial goods without factories Expanded foreign trade and use of paper currency Cities of over 1 million people

Social and Cultural Developments Government expansion created new class = scholar gentry Scholar gentry was most influential class Merchants were the lowest class Women became more subjugated with the practice of foot binding Inventions included: paper, printing, magnetic compass, gunpowder, fine porcelain, paper money Poetry (Li Bo, Du Fu) and landscape painting flourished

Religious Diversity Buddhism arrived in China via Silk Roads Buddhist doctrines combined with Daoism (Chan or Zen Buddhism) Native religions suffered and became syncretic Neo-Confucianism evolved in response (blended with Daoism and Buddhism)

Korea and Vietnam China expands north and south during golden age Tang collected tribute from the Korean Silla Kingdom Korea imitated China building a similar civilization (Sinification) Koreans did not have scholar gentry, but nobles ran the gov’t Vietnam did not assimilate with the Chinese Vietnam lived in nuclear families in independent villages Vietnam gave tribute to China, retained own culture, but did convert to Buddhism