1. Tang & Song China
Golden Ages

2. Two Great Dynasties in China
During the Tang ( ) and Song ( ) dynasties, China becomes the richest, most powerful, and most advanced country in the world.

3. Why it Matters Now:
Chinese inventions from this period, such as printing, gunpowder, and the compass, changed history.
Main Idea:
Tang and Song China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.

6. The Tang Dynasty World View: The Song Dynasty World View:
west along the Silk Road
looks east towards the sea

7. Trade/Foreign Contacts
Silk Road
west; Tang Dynasty

8. Trade/Foreign Contacts
Silk Road 
west; Tang Dynasty
ocean ships 
east, Song Dynasty
Korea
Japan
India
Persian Gulf
east Africa

9. Agriculture
imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam called “Champa Rice”

10. Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam - Champa
allowed two crops each season instead of one

11. Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam - Champa
allowed two crops each season instead of one
fueled population increase

12. Civil Service Exam 
Starting in the Sui Dynasty (pre-Tang), it became possible to become a government official by taking and passing a series of written exams. 
During Song, this became the norm

13. Civil Service Exam Goal: literate officials vs military officials
Crated a class of scholar-officials 
Confucian education encouraged government service

14. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished

15. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished
adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero and negative numbers

16. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished
adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero and negative numbers
invented movable type

17. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished
adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero and negative numbers
invented movable type
developed gunpowder

18. Toilet Paper
Although developed around 600 CE, it was only available at first to nobility and the elites. During the Tang Dynasty it became widespread. How different the world and your lives would be without it!

19. Porcelain
Commonly now preferred to as “China”. Made of special white clay found only in China.

20. Mechanical Clock
Early 700s Chinese developed clocks run by water that kept accurate time. Technology and concept of mechanical clock found its way to Europe where it was improved upon.

21. Printing
In 700s block printing was invented in which entire sheet was carved on a single block of wood and whole page was printed.
In 1000s moveable type printing invented in which individual characters could be moved around and reused.

22. Gunpowder Invented in 800s as an immortality potion
Used 1st in fireworks & then rockets & guns

23. Gunpowder took about 300 years to reach Europe
Uses of Gunpowder
Fireworks
Weapons
Gunpowder took about 300 years to reach Europe
First used as a weapon against the Mongols as a simple gun that took 2 people to shoot

24. Song Dynasty first in world to adopt paper currency instead of coin.
Paper Money
Song Dynasty first in world to adopt paper currency instead of coin.

25. Magnetic Compass Adapted for Navigation
Magnetic compass had existed for centuries, but Song Dynasty began to use it to guide their fleets. Allowed ships to move far from land and travel further safely.

26. Tang & Song Inventions

27. Golden Age of Art
Wealth, education and urban culture = artistic achievement
Great poetry
Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty

28. The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared
Tang Only
Song Only
Both
Expanded the empire,
had a female ruler,
adopted Buddhism
Prospered through trade, improved agriculture, created great technological
advances
Ruled smaller empire,
developed into great sea power, reinstituted
Confucianism

29. Yuan Dynasty (Mongol) 1279-1368 CE

30. Religion and Culture
The Mongols were different than the Chinese – They spoke a different language, worshipped different gods, wore different clothing and had different customs – The Chinese thought the Mongols were rude and uncivilized.
Mongols tolerated Chinese traditions and philosophies. Many adopted Chinese ways. 

31. Technology and Achievements
With taxes collected from the Chinese, they built new roads and palaces
Created a postal system.
Built new capital, Dadu.

32. Government and Unification
1211: Genghis Khan Organized a fierce army and started to attack China in the north
1279: Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) declared himself Emperor of China.
They heavily taxed the Chinese but allowed them to keep their own belief systems.

33. Trade
Mongols traded by sea and by  land which, increased contact with the West.
The military protected overland trade routes, which made it safer for foreign traders.