1. Tang Dynasty C.E
Sui, Tang and Song China *

2. Tang Dynasty Summary: Second Classical Chinese Age
Very similar to the Han Dynasty
Confucianism again dominates govt leaders
Confucian Civil Service Exams used to hire administrators for the Chinese government locally, regionally and nationally
Extended its influence throughout East Asia (Japan and Korea)
Re-built the new capital at Xi’an
The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family.
Founded the Imperial University
Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system)
Soldiers dropped to lowest status.
Confucianists at work; Daoists at home.
The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake!
Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation
Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported.
Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.
Sui, Tang and Song China *

3. Tang Expansion Powerful military state
extended the boundaries of China through Siberia
Korea in the east
Vietnam in the South.
extended a corridor of control along the Silk Road well into modern-day Afghanistan
Sui, Tang and Song China *

4. Empress Wu 625-705 AD Only female ruler of China
Cruel but effective ruler
Had to fight the Confucian social belief that women should serve men
Encouraged women to be more vocal and demand better treatment from their family
Sui, Tang and Song China *

5. Tang Economy Reestablished the safety of the Silk Road.
Silk Road trade with Middle East and Constantinople
New Inventions:
Printing press using moveable print
Porcelain used for dishes and decoratives
Gunpowder originally for fireworks but eventually for weapons
Mechanical clocks
Sui, Tang and Song China *

6. Tang Religion/Philosophy
Liberal attitude towards all religions at first.
1st big spread of Buddhism in China
Later during the Tang, Confucianism becomes more aggressive in fighting Buddhist influence in China
Sui, Tang and Song China *

7. Tang Social Life
Trade brings people from all over the world to China; especially in cities
Cities have a great social life with live music and drama
Tang people loved poetry and landscape painting
Confucian social hierarchy dominates
The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family.
Founded the Imperial University
Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system)
Soldiers dropped to lowest status.
Confucianists at work; Daoists at home.
The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake!
Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation
Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported.
Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.
Sui, Tang and Song China *

8. Tea Tea comes into China from Southeast Asia
Tea and Horse Trade Route to Tibet increases tea availability in China
Sui, Tang and Song China *

9. Foot-Binding in Tang China (from Susan Pojer's presentation)
Broken toes by 3 years of age.
The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family.
Founded the Imperial University
Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system)
Soldiers dropped to lowest status.
Confucianists at work; Daoists at home.
The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake!
Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation
Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported.
Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.
Size 5 ½ shoe on the right
Sui, Tang and Song China *

10. The Results of Foot-Binding
The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family.
Founded the Imperial University
Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system)
Soldiers dropped to lowest status.
Confucianists at work; Daoists at home.
The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake!
Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation
Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported.
Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.
Sui, Tang and Song China *