1. Tang and Song China

2. Where We Left Off
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han , (Era of Warring States), Sui, Tang, Song,
Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic, Mao Zedong
Han has just fallen as a result of the usual peasant uprisings and collapsing bureaucracy
China is now largest empire (population & territory)
China falls into the Era of Division
All fight for total control of China
3 regions come to power, the Northern Qi, the Northern Zhou, and the Chen

3. Rebuilding the Imperial Sui
Return to strong dynastic control in China
Wendi builds the Sui empire by marrying the the daughter of the northern Zhou emperor. Wendi takes the throne from his son-in-law and proclaims himself emperor
Unites northern China
Wendi wins the support of neighboring nomads and uses them to conquer the Chen
589 establishes Sui Dynasty
Wendi lowered taxes and created granaries
granaries: storage bins for food in case of flood, bad harvest, or drought
Granaries also kept the price of food down in times of food shortages because they were brought to market to sell the surplus grain
Expands Buddhism

5. Sui Excess and Collapse
Yangdi, Wendi’s son, kills Wendi and takes the throne for himself
Continues conquests
Yangdi drives back nomads Supports reorganized Confucianism education; remakes the civil service exam
Scholar gentry reestablished
Attack Korea (failure)
Expensive building projects
the Grand Canal
Loyang (new capital)
Chinese workers became mad and frustrated with so many projects as well as the failure to bring Korea back under Chinese rule
In 615, Turkic nomads invade China and start the decline of the Sui
618Yangdi assassinated by own ministers

6. The Grand Canal Built by Yangdi in Sui dynasty
stretches from Hangzhou to Peking; 1,100miles
crosses five major rivers: Yangtze, Huai, Yellow,Hai, and Qiantang Rivers
Used as quick transportation through East China as well as for trade
Built to accommodate population shift and transportation of goods and revenue
Millet in north and rice in south

7. The Emergence of the Tang and the Restoration of the Empire
Li Yuan is victorious in the fight for control of China in 623
Li Yuan is the Duke of Tang so therefore, he begins the Tang dynasty
Tang Taizong, Li Yuan’s second son, takes the throne in 626
Tang armies spread into central Asia and as far as modern-day Afghanistan
Tibet, Vietnam, Manchuria, Korea
Turkic nomads were integrated into the Tang military
Use of armies to unite China
Tang finish repairs on the Great Wall started by the Sui
First time North China and south were fully integrated since Han

8. Tang Dynasty at greatest extent

9. Story Time p. 129 “Tang Dynasty”
Take Notes -

10. Rebuilding the Bureaucracy
Tang monarchs need to rebuild and expand imperial bureaucracy since it had fallen apart after collapse of Han
Goal #1: Revive scholar-gentry (bureaucrats)
Create large bureaucracy of loyal, well-educated officials to govern vast empire
Levels from: Imperial palace to small district
Scholar-gentry offsets power of aristocracy, which declines
Goal #2: Rework Confucian ideology
Educate bureaucrats in Confucian classics
Emphasize importance of Confucian philosophy for an effective government

11. The Growing Importance of the Exam System
Number of educated scholars rises
Examination system greatly expanded
Ministry of Rites administered the civil service exams under Tang dynasty
Jinshu – those who passed very difficult exams on philosophy, legal texts, Chinese literature
Only those who passed the exam could gain high offices in the bureaucracy.
To become bureaucrat and take exam must be recommended by scholar or go to government school
Anyone who passed any of the exams warned great respect for themselves and the rest of their family
Enhanced social position of scholar gentry provided basis for return to a highly centralized rule under an imperial dynasty

12. State and Religion in the Tang and Song
Despite Tang government’s support for Confucianism, Buddhism gained wide acceptance
Empress Wu
Endows monasteries
Tried to make Buddhism the state religion
Commissioned Buddhist sculptures
Mahayana – Buddhism popular among commoners in era of turmoil
-ultimate wisdom via mediation and break free of cycle of rebirth
Chan (Zen) Buddhism common among elite
-natural art and beauty, meditation

13. Anti-Buddhist Backlash
Daoists and Confucianists spoke out against Buddhism as an alien religion (due to Buddhist success)
Tang lost money because monastic lands not taxed
Blamed Confucianists
supported taxation of Buddhist monasteries and decry property given to monasteries
Wuzong ( )- Openly persecuted Buddhism, destroyed 1000’s monasteries
Forced Nuns and Monks to live civilian life
Split up monastic lands among taxpayers
End of Buddhist power, remained but Confucianism dominant 9th to 20th centuries

14. Tang Decline and Rise of the Song
Decline Due to Internal rebellion and nomadic incursion
Emperor Xuanzong ( )- Reign marked peak of Tang
At first interested in politics and economy reforms by his high officials, but then focused on pleasures
Took interest in Yang Guifei, young girl from imperial Harem
She became promoted to royal concubine
Packed government with her greedy relatives
Created rivalries within the government
755: An Lishan Rebellion
General An Lishan leads mutiny and declares himself Emperor in N. China
Xuanzong flees to Sichuan province
Overall, does not topple Tang, but severely weakens it
907: Last Tang emperor resigns
China appears to enter into period of nomadic dominance, political division and social strife

15. Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period 907-960
Five Dynasties in Northern China succeeded one another rapidly
Later Liang
Later Tang
Later Jin
Later Han
Later Zhou (General Zhao Kuangyin conquers other kingdoms and unifies China)
Ten Kingdoms in Southern China existed concurrently and controlled their own territory Wu
Former Shu
Wuyue
Later Shu
Min
Jingan
Chu
Southern Tang
Southern Han
Northern Han

16. Founding of the Song 960-1279 9th century revolts left China in pieces
Until 960, nomadic dominance, then General Zhao Kuangyin (renamed Emperor Taizu) began his conquest of China
Scholarly, gathered books on conquest, not money
Became the first self Proclaimed emperor of the Song dynasty, renamed Taizu
Destroyed all rivals except Liao Dynasty founded in 907 by The Khitans of Monchiria
Song paid heavy tribute to Khitans to prevent them from raiding
Khitans became “Sinified” or influenced by Chinese culture, and learned from the economically superior Song about arts, politics and economy

17. Story Time p. 131 “The Song Dynasty”
Take Notes -

18. The Revival of Confucian Thought
Revivers of pure Confucian thought and teachings
Went through the process of translating all old texts and inscriptions.
Libraries established
Stressed the importance of applying philosophical principals to everyday life.
They argued that virtue could be obtained through knowledge gained by book learning and personal observation
The neo-Confucian emphasis on tradition and hostility to foreign influences was one of forces that stifled innovation and critical thinking among the Chinese elite (hostility to Buddhism and Daoism and they tainted Confucianism)
Gender, class, age distinctions reinforced
Ensue social harmony

19. Song Politics: Settling for Partial Restoration
The Song never matched the Tang in political or military strength
This weakness was a result from imperial policies that were designed to ward off the conditions that had destroyed the Tang empire
Only civil officials were allowed to be governors, thereby removing the temptation of regional military commanders to seize power
At the same time early Song rulers strongly promoted the interests of the Confucian scholar- gentry

20. Roots of Decline: Attempts at Reform
After the Song emperors had secured their control over China in means that undermined the empire in the long run.
By the mid-11 century, Tangut tribes, originally from Tibet had established a kingdom named Xi Xia.
The emphasis on civil and scholar-gentry and the growing disdain among the Song elite for the military also took their too on the Chinese
In the 1070's and early 1080's Wang Anshi, the chief minister of of the Song & Shenzong emperor, tried to ward off the impending collapse of the dynasty by introducing sweeping reforms
Supported agricultural expansion
Landlords, scholar gentry taxed
Tries to form a bureaucracy that stresses analytical thinking rather than memorization of classics
Map 12.2

21. Reaction and Disaster: The Flight to the South
The neo-Confusians came to power after and ended reform and since that point the economic conditions just declined.
This led to a weaker military and in 1115 the Jurchens overthrew them and formed the Jin kingdom north of the Song empire
The weak Song flee to the South
Southern Song ( )
New capital Hangzhou: sophisticated and wealthy
Numerous cultural and technological innovations

23. A New Phase of Commercial Expansion
With canal systems and Silk Roads, commercial expansion is booming
Commerce expands in cities and trading towns
Credit, deposit shops (banks), flying money (credit vouchers)
Urban growth and sophistication
Changan, Tang capital: 2 million, largest city in world
Hangzhou, S. Song capital

24. Silk Roads
Tribal societies previously living in isolation along the Silk Road were drawn to the riches of the Silk Road. Many barbarian tribes became skilled at raiding traders.
Chinese rulers protect trade and travelers on Silk Roads
Cities developed all along the Silk Roads as trading posts and as rest stops for travelers.
From Persia: dates; saffron; pistachio; rugs; tapestries
From Africa: frankincense; aloe; gold; salt; timber
From India: sandalwood; jasmine; cloth
From China: silk; porcelain; paper; tea
Transmission of art and religion (Buddhism; Christianity; Islam)

25. Silk Roads

26. Indian Ocean Trade A typical junk compared to Columbus' Santa Maria
Chinese Junks – refined in late Tang and Song period - are best ships in the world
Established market networks along Indian ocean coast
Rival Arab control of Indian Ocean
Compasses used to increase accuracy in navigation
A typical junk compared to Columbus' Santa Maria

27. Expanding Agrarian Production
Economy stimulated by advances in farming
Tang and Song rulers try to promote agricultural production and peasants
New areas cultivated as China expands
Canals help transport produce quickly
Developments: new seeds, improved water control, wheelbarrow
Tang and Song break up aristocratic estates
Divided among peasants more equally

28. Family in the Tang-Song Era
Extended family households preferred
Male-dominated and respect for elders supported by Neo-Confucians
Elite women have broader opportunities
Examples: Empress Wu and Yang Guifei
Divorce widely available if both husband and wife consent

29. Neo-Confucian Support of Male Dominance
Neo-Confucians reduce role of women in late Song period
Physical confinement: stress women’s role as homemakers and mothers
Virtues: virginity for girls, fidelity for wives, chastity for widows
Men allowed great freedom, favored in inheritance and divorce
Education: Girls not educated, boys are emphasis

30. Foot Binding The Practice began in the Song Dynasty
Involves Wrapping, breaking the bones in the Childs foot
Ideal length 3 inches
Was a popular practice among the Chinese elite.
It was considered a sign of wealth.
Was officially banned in the 1900’s
but there are still survivors of it today.

31. Reasons for Foot Binding
It was considered a sign of beauty and attractive for grooms-to-be
It prevented the women from doing many everyday things.
There were also sexual implications and beliefs that went along with it

33. Cultural Achievements
Paper techniques refined
Gunpowder and fireworks (9th c.)
Abacus developed for counting
1041: Bi Sheng develops printing with moveable type
Scholars are now cultural producers
In past, Buddhists were artists
Secular scenes now more common (again, result of Neo-Confucians)
Nature: common theme in poetry, art

34. Global Connections
Less fundamental changes in China than Americas, Europe or middle east
Major technological contributions such as paper, printing and gunpowder
Until 18th centuries, imperial dynasties were the most politically and economically powerful
Established advanced market networks along Indian ocean coast

35. Lets Practice
Which of the following statements concerning the Tang dynasty’s attitude toward Buddhism is most accurate?
Under the Tang, Buddhism became the official religion of the state
After initial attempts to suppress Buddhism, later Tan emperor actually resuscitated the Buddhist monasteries, particularly in southern China
Although Empress Wu attempted to have Buddhism recognized as the official religion of the state, later emperors persecuted Buddhism as an economic threat to the state
From the outset, Buddhism was persecuted under the Tang
Although Tang rulers dislike the practice of Buddhism, they adopted a policy of toleration

36. Lets Practice
Which of the following statements concerning the Tang dynasty’s attitude toward Buddhism is most accurate?
Under the Tang, Buddhism became the official religion of the state
After initial attempts to suppress Buddhism, later Tan emperor actually resuscitated the Buddhist monasteries, particularly in southern China
Although Empress Wu attempted to have Buddhism recognized as the official religion of the state, later emperors persecuted Buddhism as an economic threat to the state
From the outset, Buddhism was persecuted under the Tang
Although Tang rulers dislike the practice of Buddhism, they adopted a policy of toleration