Sui China

Tang & Song China SWBAT: ID & Explain reason for a Golden Age during Tang/Song Discuss the lasting influence/effects of the Tang/Song Golden Age

Two Great Dynasties in China During the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, China becomes the richest, powerful, and most advanced country in the world. Li Yuan was a general in the Sui, encouraged by his son led a revolt and overthrew the Sui. 8 years later, he encouraged his father to step down and assumed the throne taking the name Tang Taizong (ty DZUNG). Very admired. Conquers territories deep into central Asia Forced neighboring lands of Vietnam, Tibet, and Korea to become tributary states. These states remained self governing but rulers must acknowledge Chinese supremacy and send regular tribute to the Tang emperor. Students from Korea and Japan traveled to China to learn about Chinese government, law and art. Empress Wu Zhao resorted Han uniform government – re instituted the civil service system. Land reform – broke up large agricultural holdings and redistributed the land to the peasants. Strengthens the central government by weakening the power of large land owners Increases gov’t revenue since peasants who farmed their own land would be able to pay taxes. Decline: Lost territories in C Asia to Arabs. Corruption – high taxes, drought, famine, and rebellions all contribute to the fall. 907 rebel general overthrew the last Tang emperor. Chaos ensued for a short period of time until the Song reunited it less than 50 years later.

Why it Matters Now: Chinese inventions from this period, such as printing, gunpowder, and the compass, changed history. Main Idea: Tang and Song China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.

Zhao Kuangyin reunited China Zhao Kuangyin reunited China. In 1110 song retreated south of the Huan river because of the invaders in the north. Southern Song continued to rule for another 150 years until Mongol invasion. Ordered Society – Gentry – top of Chinese society – educated land own class. - valued scholarship more than physical labor “Scholar – gentry” Confucian scholars, but also studied math, medicine and astronomy. Peasants – majority of population – lived in small largely self sufficient villages, but could move up in society through education. Merchants- prosperous but still had a lowers social status than a peasant since their money came from the labor of others. Women – women saw a higher status in the Tang than songs. Women became part of their husband’s family. The lowest person in the family was the daughter in law. Women could not keep the dowry that is given to her husbands family. If widowed, they could never remarry. Foot binding – symbol of nobility. Reinforced the notion that women should stay inside the home.

The Tang Dynasty World View: The Song Dynasty World View: west along the Silk Road looks east towards the sea

Trade/Foreign Contacts Silk Road west; Tang Dynasty

Trade/Foreign Contacts Silk Road west; Tang Dynasty ocean ships east, Song Dynasty Korea Japan India Persian Gulf east Africa

Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam

Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam allowed two crops each season instead of one

Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam allowed two crops each season instead of one fueled population increase

Science and Technology mathematics flourished

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero invented movable type

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero invented movable type developed gunpowder

Technology and Industry A typical junk ship from the Song Dynasty Porcelain (“Chinaware”) Increase of iron production due to use of coke, not coal, in furnaces Agricultural tools, weaponry Gunpowder invented Earlier printing techniques refined Moveable type by mid-11th century Yet complex Chinese ideographs make wood block technique easier Naval technology compass

Inventions of Tang and Song China

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty. Many figurines, predominantly horses and camels, were produced.

Most of these pieces have been found in the more affluent tombs of the Tang period

Dunhuang Mahayana Buddhism especially popular at Dunhuang in western China (Gansu province), 600-1000 CE Cave temples Buddhist temples, libraries Economic success as converts donate land holdings Increase popularity through donations of agricultural produce to the poor

Footbinding Women – women saw a higher status in the Tang than songs. Women became part of their husband’s family. The lowest person in the family was the daughter in law. Women could not keep the dowry that is given to her husbands family. If widowed, they could never remarry. Foot binding – symbol of nobility. Reinforced the notion that women should stay inside the home.

The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared Tang Only Song Only Both Ruled smaller empire, developed into great sea power, created paper money and movable type Expanded the empire, had a female ruler, adopted Buddhism Prospered through trade, improved agriculture, created great art and literature