Wu Zetian Mrs. Tucker 7th Grade World History/Honors Cobalt Institute of Math and Science

Wu Zetian Wu Zetian Wu was born in China during the Tang dynasty in A.D. 625. She and other rich Noble women had more freedom than women did in earlier and later dynasties. Wu learned to play music and to read and write. At 13 she joined the imperial court. Soon she became admired for her intelligence and beauty. Wu married Kao Tsung a few years after he became emperor. When Kao became paralyzed by a stroke, Wu took over the government. She protected her power as ruthlessly as any man of that time. She created a secret police force and killed many enemies, including three of her own children. When Kao died, Wu made her youngest son the emperor because he obeyed her orders. In A.D. 690, Wu’s son stepped down, and Wu became empress. People did not like women ruling directly. To help people accept her rule, Wu hired scholars to write about famous women. She also gave her mother’s relatives powerful positions in government. During her rule, Wu invited scholars to China, build temples, and encouraged artists. She made the army smaller and made Buddhism the state religion. She also helped the peasants by increasing agricultural production and building public works like irrigation canals. In A.D. 705,Wu’s third son pushed her out of power. Wu, the only empress in China’s history, died that same year.