Do Now: What are the aspects of a Golden Age and how do they affect society? What do you remember about the Han Dynasty?

  *China remained divided for almost 400 years after the collapse of the Han dynasty.  Instead of entering a “Dark Age” China merely entered a post Golden Age where farm production expanded and technologies were slowly advanced.  Religion spread while education and art continued to be taught or influenced.  Although invaders infiltrated northern China they often accepted and adopted the Chinese civilization instead of demolishing it.  *During the Sui dynasty, emperor Sui Wendi was able to reunite the north and south of China.  *However, China didn’t reach its peak or glory until 618 which was the start of the Tang Dynasty.  *There were emperors who had usurped or illegally taken over the thrown such as empress Wu Zhao. Background

  *First Tang emperor was Li Yuan  *While the Sui dynasty was collapsing, Li Yuan and his son managed to lead a revolt eventually crushing all rivals and establishing the Tang dynasty.  Later on, Li Yuan stepped down and gave the thrown to his son, Li Shimin. (also know as Tang Taizong)  *Conquered territories deep in Central Asia and forced neighboring countries to send tributes as well as recognize China as the superior power.  *These were called tributary states Tang Dynasty

  *Under the Tang Dynasty, future emperors were able to rebuild the bureaucracy and enlarge the civil service system to recruit officials trained in Confucian philosophy.  *Organized schools to prepare male students for exams  Developed a flexible law code  *Instituted a system of land reform  *This policy strengthen the central government by decreasing the power of large land owners.  *Since peasants who farmed their own land were able to pay the taxes this increased government revenue.  *Established a system of canals that increased trade and transportation.  The Grand Canal linked the Huang River to the Yangzi River and was the largest waterway ever dug by human labor at the time. Government & Economy

  *Lost territories to Arabs in Central Asia  *Corruption, high taxes, drought, famine and rebellions all contributed to the downfall.  *In 907, the Tang Dynasty was finally overthrown by a rebel general  *During the collapse of the dynasty the chaos that was involved did not last long. Decline

 Tang Dynasty

  Educated general unites most of China and founded the Song dynasty.  *Ruled for 319 years  Faced constant invaders in the north  *In the early 1100’s the weakened Song moved to the south of the Huang He.  *After this, continued to rule for another 150 years.  Furthermore, even after military setbacks the Song Dynasty is still marked as one of the golden ages in China.  *Chinese wealth and culture took over East Asia. (Economy expanded)  *Agricultural reforms.  *Foreign trade flourished  *Government made paper money to increase trade  China was now the center of trade other than before in future times where it had been the centers of government. Song Dynasty

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  Well- ordered society Chinese Society Emperor, Aristocratic families GentryPeasants

  *Wealthy landowners  *Were very studious in Confucian philosophy  *Could afford to study for years in order to pass the civil service exam.  *Often served in provinces as allies of the emperors officials.  *Valued education more than physical labor  New schools of Confucian philosophy emphasized social order based on duty, rank and proper behavior. Gentry

  Worked the land, depended on what they produced  Lived in small self sufficient villages that managed their own affairs  Often relied on one another rather than the government.  Could move up in social classes through education and government service. Peasants

  *Gained great wealth but was still socially lower than peasants according to the Confucian tradition.  Within the home, women were called to run family matters  Couldn’t remarry or keep her dowry.  Women lower positions were strengthened when the tradition of foot- binding had emerged.  Feet's of young girls were bound with long strips of cloths producing a lily shaped foot about half the size of a foot that was allowed to grow normally.  This practice was really painful.  Gave the concept that tiny feet and a stilted walk resembled beauty and nobility.  This practice often gave women the inability to walk without help.  This reinforced the Confucius concept that women should stay inside the home.  Not everyone were feet bound. Merchants & Women

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  *Poetry, Painting and Calligraphy were important skills  *Song Dynasty recognized the art of landscape painting.  Misty mountains and delicate bamboo fprests were mostly used to portray Chinese landscapes.  *Painters produced vivid pictures of emperors or scenes of city life.  *Architecture was influenced by Buddhist themes.  *One impact was the pagoda.  *Perfected skills in making porcelain, a shiny valuable pottery. Pagoda- a multistoried temple with eaves that curves up at the corners. Arts and Literature

  *Tang and Song dynasties majored in prose and poetry.  *Short stories was introduced as well.  *Poetry was most respected.  *As many as 200 major and 400 minor poets throughout the Tang and Song dynasty.  *Many poems reflected on the shortness of life and the immensity of the universe.  *Greatest Tang Poet was Li Bo. Literature

 Activity