China Middle Imperial Era
China: Reunification & Renaissance Recall Political Developments: Sui Dynasty (589-618) Reunification Completion of Grand Canal connecting northern & southern China Tang Dynasty (618-907) – expansion
China during the Tang & Song Dynasties
Song Dynasty (960-1279) Founded by Song Taizu Threat of nomads to north Confucian Civil Service System Reintroduced during Sui Dynasty; expanded in Tang & Song era, especially Exams based on Confucian classics Jinshi = highest title
Economic Revolution Population doubled during Song era Agricultural prosperity New variety of rice New cash crops – e.g. tea, sugar Dikes, reservoirs, & dams Water pumps
Terraced rice paddies in southern China
Economic Revolution Cont. Commercial growth Internal trade, facilitated by canals & paper $ Overseas maritime trade facilitated by magnetic compass & junks Growth in industry Esp. silk fabric, porcelain & paper Water powered mills & bellows Iron & steel
Urbanization (growth of cities) E.g. Kaifeng & Hangzhou
Other Technological Achievements Gunpowder Mechanical clock Moveable type (printing) “Thunderbolt ball”
Social Developments Growth of scholar-elite Declining status of women Increasing legal restrictions Demand in cities for domestic servants & concubines Foot binding
Ideal woman’s foot = 3” long!
Cultural Developments Women poets as exception Refined pastimes of the elite Landscape painting
Traci Langworthy Jamestown, NY Neo-Confucianism New emphasis of Confucian scholars was on “investigation of things,” including workings of universe Zhu Xi (1120-1200) Li = pattern; Qi = vital energy Traci Langworthy Jamestown, NY TraciLangworthy@mail.sunyjcc.edu