Song China 960 CE CE

Social Hierarchy- civil man above military Less bound by hereditary distinctions than Tang, could get ahead from exam Men from wealthy families more likely to succeed on exams, time and resources needed to study Success on exams, high salary, good marriage, prestige More literate, mass-produced books, on farming, how to control mosquitoes (malaria) Gentry class was small and powerful until cities grew and privatization of business, traditional agricultural social hierarchy changed

Social cont. More people living in large towns and cities Song Capital, multi-story wooden apartments Gender- women lost rights, lost right to control own property, property rights to husband, forbidden to remarry after divorce or death (supported by Confucian beliefs) Women subordinate to men, girls educated just a little Foot binding among elite, poor less likely prevented working, also had more economic independence

Political Army 4X size of Tang Constant threat of attack by neighboring Empires (worked out alliances) Officials came from civil service exams

Religious Elites accepted Chan Buddhism, salvation possible through mental discipline alone

Intellectual Allied societies of Asia formed Confucian region Neo-Confucianism, more sophisticated and idealistic

Technology First to use fractions Precise calendar Giant mechanical celestial clock, combined astronomy, applied math, and engineering Refined compass, Improved navigation Junks, improved ships

Technology cont. Steel weapons Bridges and small buildings made of iron as well as armor Gunpowder with flaming arrows Movable type, printing of many books Experts in waste, water supply, firefighting in cities

Environment Central China- smaller than Tang- less than half the size After 1127 confined to southern China “Southern Song”

Economy Fraction of size of Tang but very productive Stimulated economics of East Asia through trade and circulation of money Thriving, use of credit “flying money” Paper money for awhile, high inflation became worthless, gov’t introduced new taxes, sold monopolies (privatization of business, good for a few hard on common people, higher taxes) Huge production of caste iron

Downfall Military challenges from North overwhelmed finances Need for steel from Japan cause drain of copper coinage