1. TANG DYNASTY Rulers were reform minded
If they increased the government’s ability to administrate, they would increase their power.
Restored the Civil Service exams.
- Gave the Tang a pool of competent bureaucrats to administrate the government

2. FALL OF THE TANG
Despite advances with the civil service examination and bureaucrats, problems arose in the Tang dynasty
Bureaucracy became large and corrupt (self interests pursued)
Difficult to maintain control over expanded territories.
Well trained pencil-pushing army to administer the empire, but not a well trained military
Hired soldiers (Uighurs) observed this weakness and overthrew the dynasty in 907

3. FOOT BINDING
In the 12th century, foot binding had become much more widespread
Every girl who wished to marry had her feet bound.

4. Silk Road
The Silk Road or Silk Route was an ancient network of trade routes that were for centuries central to cultural interaction originally through regions of Eurasia connecting the East and West and stretching from the Korean peninsula and Japan to the Mediterranean Sea.

6. Arab and Berber traders took salt from the Sahara to West Africa in exchange for gold.