Golden Ages of China

The Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.) One of the longest of China’s major dynasties. One of the longest of China’s major dynasties. It rivaled the Roman Empire in the West. It rivaled the Roman Empire in the West. With only minor interruptions it lasted a span of over four centuries and is considered a “Golden Age” in Chinese history especially in arts, politics and technology. With only minor interruptions it lasted a span of over four centuries and is considered a “Golden Age” in Chinese history especially in arts, politics and technology. Dynasty- a line of hereditary rulers of a country. Dynasty- a line of hereditary rulers of a country.

China escaped the chaos and ruin that came to a lot of regions as a result of the fall of the Roman Empire. China escaped the chaos and ruin that came to a lot of regions as a result of the fall of the Roman Empire. China’s history consists of the rise and fall of various dynasties. China’s history consists of the rise and fall of various dynasties. After the Han Dynasty collapsed in 220, China remained divided-into North and South. After the Han Dynasty collapsed in 220, China remained divided-into North and South.

This division lasted until the Tang Dynasty took over in 618 This division lasted until the Tang Dynasty took over in 618 The Tang Dynasty restored uniform government throughout China and enlarged the civil service. The Tang Dynasty restored uniform government throughout China and enlarged the civil service. Under the Tang, China conquered many lands, like Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam. Under the Tang, China conquered many lands, like Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam. The most powerful emperor was Taizong. The most powerful emperor was Taizong. Empress Wu ruled in the late 600s: only woman to rule in China Empress Wu ruled in the late 600s: only woman to rule in China Empress Wu A.D. Page 476 Tang Dynasty ( A.D.)

Tang Dynasty Conquered lands became “tributary states”-meaning they remained independent but had to acknowledge Chinese supremacy. Conquered lands became “tributary states”-meaning they remained independent but had to acknowledge Chinese supremacy. “land reform”-broke up land and redistributed it to peasants. “land reform”-broke up land and redistributed it to peasants. They built a system of canals and built the Grand Canal, which linked the Huang-He to the Yangzi. They built a system of canals and built the Grand Canal, which linked the Huang-He to the Yangzi. Even though they were successful, the dynastic cycle took over and collapsed in 907. Even though they were successful, the dynastic cycle took over and collapsed in 907.

Song Dynasty In 960, China was reunited under the Song Dynasty which ruled for 319 years. In 960, China was reunited under the Song Dynasty which ruled for 319 years. Under the Song, the Chinese culture and economy expanded and trade flourished. Under the Song, the Chinese culture and economy expanded and trade flourished. They issued paper money due to their booming trade centers and became a very wealthy dynasty known for their economic success. They issued paper money due to their booming trade centers and became a very wealthy dynasty known for their economic success.

Society During the Song Chinese society during this time was well ordered. Chinese society during this time was well ordered. At the top-the emperor and his court of aristocratic families At the top-the emperor and his court of aristocratic families The gentry (wealthy land owners) The gentry (wealthy land owners) At the bottom- peasants At the bottom- peasants During the late Song Dynasty, women had much fewer rights and the custom of foot binding began. During the late Song Dynasty, women had much fewer rights and the custom of foot binding began. This reinforced the Confucian tradition that women should stay inside the home. This reinforced the Confucian tradition that women should stay inside the home.

Why foot binding? Women had a subordinate position that had to be enforced Women had a subordinate position that had to be enforced The tradition started in the aristocratic sect of society but eventually spread to lower classes The tradition started in the aristocratic sect of society but eventually spread to lower classes Feet were bound with strips of cloth-as a result feet became half the size of a foot that was allowed to grow normally Feet were bound with strips of cloth-as a result feet became half the size of a foot that was allowed to grow normally Tiny feet and an extended walk became a symbol of nobility and beauty Tiny feet and an extended walk became a symbol of nobility and beauty Women feared not being able to find a husband if their feet were large Women feared not being able to find a husband if their feet were large The practice was extremely painful The practice was extremely painful Peasants who had to work in the fields did not bind their feet because binding often prevented women from being able to walk Peasants who had to work in the fields did not bind their feet because binding often prevented women from being able to walk Foot binding reinforced the Confucian believe that women should remain inside the home. Foot binding reinforced the Confucian believe that women should remain inside the home.

Footbinding

Assignment for Today! Look in your book on pages and identify a technology or achievement of the Tang or Song Dynasties. Look in your book on pages and identify a technology or achievement of the Tang or Song Dynasties. Draw, describe, and color a specific technology on a ¼ of a piece of paper. Draw, describe, and color a specific technology on a ¼ of a piece of paper. Description should be at least 3-4 sentences Description should be at least 3-4 sentences Then we will make a “quilt” and put your technologies together. Then we will make a “quilt” and put your technologies together. Then do page 307 in the book 1-5 Then do page 307 in the book 1-5