Aim: Why did China experience a golden age under the Tang and Song dynasties? Do Now: Recall what we learned about Ancient China and the Han dynasty.

Vocabulary Usurp- to illegally take over Tributary states-A Tributary state is a state that is subordinate to a more powerful neighbouring state Land reform- the statutory division of agricultural land and its reallocation to landless people Gentry- wealthy land-owning class Pagoda- a multistoried temple with eaves curving up at the corners

Setting the Scene China had been divided into small feudal kingdoms Sui dynasty briefly united North and South It was later reunified under the Tang and Song dynasty

Society in the Tang and Song Dynasties There were two main social classes gentry peasants •many scholar officials were from the gentry •government service and allies of emperors officials •song valued learning over physical labor •most of society were peasants •many lived off farming •small, self sufficient villages

The Tang Dynasty (618-90 AD) Preceded Sui dynasty Li Yuan was the first emperor of Tang dynasty Gained control by revolting against previous dynasty Son Li Shimin (Tang Taizong) took over General Government reformer Historian Calligrapher

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) Conquered territory in Central Asia Vietnam, Tibet and Korea became tributary states Many cultural achievements Art, architecture Restore China to Han system Restored bureaucracy Schools prepared men for exams Land reform strengthened central government; weakened power of large landowners More taxes Canal system for trade and transporta

Decline of the Tang Dynasty Lost territory to Arabs Conditions worsened Corruption High taxes Drought Famine Rebellion A general rebelled and overthrew last emperor

The Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) A scholar united China once again Controlled less territory Threat of Northern invasions Golden age despite military issues Wealth Culture Economical growth in farming Irrigation= two rice crops per year Caused surplus People had more time for other things

The Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) Efficient trade systems Southeast Asia provided spices and woods Porcelain from Song dynasty traded as far as East Africa Paper money was issued China became center of trade Like the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty was also very culturally rich

Decline of the Song Dynasty During the reign of Emperor Shenzong Decline was triggered by: New policies were enforced Invasions of external tribes weakened the Northern Song court Invasions of the Jin Dynasty Weak military strength

Society Continued it was very painful social mobility through education and government service market towns/cities created wealthy merchants normally low social status women had high status late 600s Wu Zhao became the first and only empress men were still valued more footbinding: a tradition for women in which they wrap long strips of cloth, creating a lily shape on their feet. used to have a girl find a husband tiny feet= symbol of nobility and beauty

Debate on which was the beater golden age Activity Debate on which was the beater golden age

Exit Slip In 3 to 4 sentences sum up the song dynasty In 3 to 4 sentences sum up the tang dynasty