Golden Ages of China

Reunification and Renaissance 220 CE.—Han dynasty ends —Era of Division —Sui dynasty —Tang dynasty —Song dynasty —Mongol (Yuan) dynasty

 6 th century—Sui dynasty comes to power under the rule of Wendi  Rules with “Legalism” brutal rule.  Reunites China after the fall of the Han Dynasty  Wins widespread support by  Lowering taxes  Establishing granaries (wards off famine)

One of the world's largest waterworks before modern times Purpose: bring abundant food supplies of the south to the north Linked the Yangtze and the Huang-Hi The canal integrated the economies of the south and north

 Yangdi expands on his father’s foundations  Adopts Confuciusism rather then legalism  Milder legal code  Restoration of exam system  Promotion of scholar-gentry  Social order based on strict diarchy

 Excess, waste and wars lead to collapse  Grand Canal “Tour” Leads to Peasant Revolt  Yangdi assassinated in 618 by his own ministers

 During the Tang ( ) and Song ( ) dynasties, China becomes the richest, powerful, and most advanced country in the world.

 Key Point:  Tang and Song China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.  Significance:  Chinese inventions from this period, such as printing, gunpowder, and the compass, changed history.

 The Tang Dynasty World View: / The Song Dynasty World View: / looks east towards the sea / west along the Silk Road / Silk Road – trading network with the west. / west along the Silk Road / Silk Road – trading network with the west.

 Silk Road  west; Tang Dynasty

 Silk Road  west; Tang Dynasty  Junks: ocean ships  east, Song Dynasty  Korea  Japan  India  Persian Gulf  east Africa

 imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam

 allowed two crops each season instead of one

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

 mathematics flourished

 adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero

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

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

 wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement

 great poetry  Li Bo and Du Fu

 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

 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

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