1. Section 1: China Reunifies

2. The Period of Disunion
Following the collapse of the Han dynasty, the empire split into rival kingdoms ruled by military leaders.
Historians sometimes call he time of disorder that followed the collapse of the Han the Period of Disunion
Nomadic peoples settled in northern China.
Cultural blending took place in both northern and southern China.
Many northern Chinese, unwilling to live under the rule of the nomadic invaders, fled to southern China.

3. The Sui, Tang, and Song
For about 700 years, China remained unified under a series of powerful dynasties.
The Sui Dynasty
Yang Jian
Ended the Period of Disunion
Northern ruler
Leaders restored order to China and began the Grand Canal (canal linking northern and southern China)
The Tang Dynasty
Began when a former Sui official overthrew the old government
Ruled for nearly 300 years
Grew to include much of eastern Asia, as well as large parts of Central Asia
Viewed as the golden age of Chinese civilization
Taizong – conquered many lands, reformed the military, and created law codes
Xuanzong – culture flourished during his reign

4. Empress Wu – only woman to rule China
After the Tong dynasty fell, China entered another brief period of chaos and disorder, with separate kingdoms competing for power.
Became known as Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
Lasted 53 years
The Song Dynasty
Reunifed China
Also ruled for about 300 years
Was a time of great accomplishments

5. The Age of Buddhism
Is one of the world’s major religions, originating in India
First came to China during the Han dynasty
People during the Period of Disunion turned to Buddhism
They took comfort in the teachings that people can escape suffering and achieve a state of peace
By the end of the Period of Disunion, Buddhism was well established in China
Chinese missionaries introduced Buddhism to Japan, Korea, and other Asian lands
It influenced many aspects of Chinese culture, including art, literature, and architecture
The period from about 400 to about 845 can be called the Age of Buddhism
Came to an end when a Tang emperor lunched a campaign against the religion.
He burned Buddhist texts, took land from Buddhist temples, destroyed many temples, and turned others into schools