1. The greatest of the first millennium empires
in wealth, size, and population was China’s
T’ang Dynasty.

2. From the collapse of the Han Dynasty in 220 A. D
From the collapse of the Han Dynasty in 220 A.D., China experienced infighting among warlords and constant invasions.

3. Li Yuan founded the T’ang Dynasty.
He claimed the Mandate of Heaven.

4. The T’ang Dynasty resumed the examination
system of the Han.

5. Loyal and trained administrators were used
in the vast empire that included parts of Eastern and Central Asia.

6. His son, T’aizong, expanded the empire into
Tibet and westward into Central Asia.

7. During the T’ang dynasty, China’s first
woman ruler presided over a golden age.
Empress Wu Zhao

8. T’ang Accomplishments
The T’ang ordered the
construction of canals
for internal trade.
The T’ang redistributed
land among the peasants.

9. Chinese Accomplishments
Printing
Gunpowder
Porcelain
Weaving
Pagodas

10. The T’ang fell from power amid growing
independence of military commanders.

11. Warlords ruled China.

12. China was not reunited again until 960 A.D.

13. The Song Dynasty revived China.
Expanded and regulated trade
Issued Paper Currency
A revival of poetry
Landscape painting

14. But in 1279, the Mongol ruler, Kublai Khan
established the Yuan Dynasty.
The dynastic cycle continued!