1. SPICE chart Ch 14 East Asia Sui, Tang, Song Dynasties

2. Social
Patriarchal- evident in women having less rights in marriage, cultural traditions like foot binding
*Women played bigger roles in Vietnam than China
Forced labor- called compulsory or conscripted labor
Tang- starts civil service exams- positions based on merit

3. Post-Classical Empires of China: Sui 589-618 CE
Political
Post-Classical Empires of China: Sui CE
Tang CE
Song CE
Sui Dynasty
Reunites China after fall of Han and 350 years turmoil
Military expeditions to Korea

4. Political Tang Dynasty
Last Sui emperor assassinated, rebel leader starts new dynasty
Middle Kingdom Theory- China center of civilization and surrounding regions must give tribute/gifts (tributary system) In reality, China had little influence but helped trade, culture and diplomatic relations
Kow-Tow
Extensive testing for higher positions- civil service exam
Peasant rebellions, losing control of regional military units lead to decline
A nomad group also came in to help push down rebellions but Tang control was never regained

6. Political Song Dynasty
Warlords ruled until Song dynasty brought back imperial rule
More emphasis on civil admin, education, art than military
Civil workers rewarded greatly, more opportunities for people to take civil service exams, even in charge of military forces
Lots of bureaucracies use lots of money- causes financial strain
Scholar-bureaucrats had little military knowledge, nomadic groups (Jurchen) challenged authority and pushed the Song dynasty to South China

7. Interaction Humans/Environment
Grand Canal
New crops
Gaining new resources from Korea, Vietnam, Japan

8. The Sui and Tang dynasties, 589-907 CE.
The Sui and Tang dynasties, CE
The Song Dynasty, C.E.

9. Culture
Buddhism spreads from Silk Roads among foreign religions (Nestorian Christians, Manicheans, Muslims Arab/Persian merchants
Appeal- high standards of morality, intellectual sophistication, promise of salvation
Buddhist monasteries acquired large land, wealthy converts donate
Fun facts: Chairs introduced to China, sugar refined by Buddhists
Tailored Buddhism to Chinese culture by mixing ir with Daoism (dharma=dao “the way”, nirvana=wuwei)
Chan Buddhism (Chinese characteristics) like Zen
Persecution: from Daoists/Confucianists bc land holdings, monasteries waste of resources

11. Culture
Persecution: from Daoists/Confucianists bc land holdings, monasteries waste of resources
Neo-Confucianism during Song Dynasty inspired by Buddhism in logic and metaphysics (early Confucians focus on morality and politics)
Zhu Xi most prominent neo-Confucian scholar

12. Culture Sui- Palaces, Great wall added to Foot-binding
Paper, printing with reusable moveable type (spread religious ideas)
Porcelain
Iron production increase (coke replaces coal)
Gunpowder
Naval tech- better sails, rudders, use of magnetic compass
Finance- shortage of copper coins-> “flying cash” letters of credit, paper money (some problems at times when not honored)

15. Economics
Sui- High taxes, lots of money spent on extensive trade/transportation networks- Grand Canal connect north and south China
Tang- Equal Field system (to avoid social drama from Han dynasty, where only nobles held land) Distributes land to individuals and families according to their needs (lasted for 100 years but people cheated and population grew too quickly)
Agricultural production and technology increases- fast-ripening rice from Vietnam (similar to Dar-al-Islam benefitting from new crops), better irrigation, used manure
1024 Song- 1st time government sponsors paper money
Money problems, high salaries
New Financial techniques “flying cash” paper money

16. Beyond China
Silla Dynasty of Korea- Tang try to overthrow but kept Korea as part of tributary
Many things modeled after China, elite use Neo- Confucianism, peasants Chan Buddhism
In Vietnam- adopt farming, school and ideas from China, but kept religious traditions although had bureaucracies and Buddhism

17. Japan Nara dynasty (710-794) Clan claimed imperial authority
Built new capital at Nara modeled after Chang’an, adopted Confucianism, Buddhism but maintained Shinto rites
Heian Dynasty ( ) moved capital to Kyoto
Emperors more like puppets/figureheads, Fujiwara family (aristocratic clan) held most power
Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki- about the court and socialites

18. Medieval Japan
Clans fought for power Kamakura ( ) and Muromachi ( ) periods Decentralized power, provincial lords held authority Replaced etiquette and courtesy with military talent and discipline Shoguns (military governor) replaced emperor Used samurais to enforce authority in return they got land and living expenses