Dynasties of China: Post-Classical and Beyond

Sui (581-618AD) (Rome in Shambles—Germanic/Dark Ages) Political-Unified empire under emperor; centralized rule based on Confucianism; Military failures (couldn’t conquer Korea)--overextend in territory; Assassination ends dynasty Economic-High taxes, forced labor: public works; Grand Canal completed- trade; land redistribution Religious: Daoism and Buddhism

Social- Stratified; patriarchy; peasants do labor; merchants at bottom of structure Intellectual/Artistic- Grand Canal

The Grand Canal

The Grand Canal Today

Sui Dynasty

Tang (618-907AD) (Maya, Anasazi, Charlemagne, Kiev & Christianity) Political-Tributary system: acknowledged supremacy of the emperor; Wu Zetian-Only Empress in Chinese history; Perfection of civil service exam; bureaucracy; decline-Weak emperors, nomadic incursions, economic difficulties Economic: Silk Road, Sea Trade, Salt Monopoly, cotton, agricultural base; exported more than imported Religion- Buddhism- eventual Buddhist backlash (9th c); Philosophy-Confucianism

Social: cosmopolitan culture; rigid class structure; patriarchy- subordination of women- foot binding Intellectual/artistic: Invention of movable print, gunpowder, porcelain, mechanical clocks; large scholar gentry class; “Golden Age” of Chinese art and literature

Foot Binding: Tang China Broken toes beginning at age 3-5 years Large toe for stabilization In 1911, foot binding was outlawed

Song Dynasty 960-1279 Political: Emperor Civil Service Exam (Confucianism);Broke domination of the hereditary aristocracy; Govt service based on merit; gained tribute Economic: Interregional credit system “flying money”; Govt issued paper money; trade on Silk Road; agriculture- fast growing rice Religious: Neo-Confucianism-Emphasized individual moral and social responsibility; Ideal person= sage (person with mental serenity who could deal with social ills); Daoism; Buddhism

Social- Rigid class structure based on Confucianism; patriarchy- women- footbinding Intellectual/Artistic- Increase focus on education; printing press more books; magnetic compass; “Golden Age” focus on poetry, music, landscape painting and architecture “pagoda” style building

Yuan 1279-1368 Political- Conquered by Kublai Khan; direct rule as emperor; distrust of Chinese- able to serve as local level; bureaucratic structure; brought in foreigners to help govern; ended civil service exam Economic- made Silk Road safe again; trade flourishes; direct taxation; agriculture; paved highways; favored merchants Religion- Buddhism; religious tolerance under Mongols

Social: New class structure based on ethnicity: Mongols; foreigners; northern Chinese; Southern Chinese; Mongol women refused to adopt Chinese customs; outlawed intermarriage Intellectual/Artistic- Assimilated into Chinese art and culture; exported the first blue and white porcelain; advances in astronomy and mathematics