Sui Dynasty, C.E.  “Land Equalization” System –> land redistribution  Unified coinage  Established army of professional soldiers  People were overworked and overtaxed!

Financial Stress   War for Korea further strains finances   Grand Canal constructed   Strained financial resources

The Grand Canal

Tang Dynasty, C.E.  High point of Chinese history  Imperial examination system perfected  Liberal attitude towards all religions  Spread of Buddhism in China  Golden Age of foreign relations with other countries  Japan, Korea, Persia

Tang Gov’t. Organization

Tang Dynasty, C.E.  New technologies:  Printing --> moveable print  Porcelain  Gunpowder  Mechanical clocks  More cosmopolitan culture  Reestablished safety of Silk Road  Tea came into China from Southeast Asia

Empress Wu Zetian,  Only Chinese Empress to rule alone  Searched for outstanding individuals to attract to her court  Constructed new irrigation systems  Buddhism was favored state religion  Financed building of many Buddhist temples  BUT… She appointed cruel and sadistic ministers to seek out her enemies

Foot-Binding in Tang China  Broken toes by 3 years of age.   Size 5 ½ shoe on the right

Foot-Binding in Tang China Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.

Foot-Binding in Tang China  For upper-class girls, it became new custom

Results of Foot-Binding

End of Tang Dynasty   Causes of decline   Misrule   Court intrigues   Economic exploitation   Rebellions   Made it possible for northern invaders to defeat them   Next 50 years saw fragmentation of China   Five northern dynasties   Ten southern kingdoms

Song [Sung] Dynasty, C.E.  Creation of urban, merchant middle class  Neo-Confucianists wanted to purify Confucianism   Increased emphasis on education & cheaper availability of printed books  Magnetic compass made China great sea power!

Confucian Inspired Sayings  "Women are to be led and to follow others.“  "A woman ruler is like a hen crowing.“  "Woman's greatest duty is to produce a son."

Confucian Inspired Sayings  "We should not be too familiar with the lower orders or with women."  "The woman with no talent is the one who has merit.“  "Those who cannot be taught, cannot be instructed. These are women and eunuchs."

Confucian Inspired Sayings  "A husband can marry twice, but his wife must never remarry.“  "Man is honored for strength; a woman is beautiful on account of her gentleness."  "Disorder is not sent down by Heaven, it is produced by women."

Song Peasant Family

Song Began Rice Cultivation

Song Rice Cultivation