1. The Tang and Song Empires
The Resurgence of Empire in East Asia

2. After the Han Period of the Six Dynasties 220-589 CE Landed families
Rule by non-Chinese nomads
Buddhism
Econ., Technological, Urban decline

3. The Sui ( )
The Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule in China
Est. by Wendi (won support by lowering taxes and est. granaries)
Government based on Confucianism and Buddhism
Yangdi: The Grand Canal- transportation system that linked the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers
Fast Decline: spent too much money/ unsuccessful wars

4. The Tang (618- 907) Government Structure: Empire/Emperor
Avoided over centralization- gave local nobles, officials and religious power
Capital- Chang’an- cosmopolitan; foreigners resided there
Tributary System- independent countries recognize Chinese emperor as supreme

5. The Tang Culture Buddhism
Descendants of Turkic elites- continued Turkic influence which can be seen in pottery and warfare strategies
Confucian traditions- civil service exam
Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism dominated
Legitimized rulers- kings bring subjects into a Buddhist realm
Buddhism- spread through Central and East Asia through the trade routes

6. The Buddhist Backlash 9thc broke power of Buddhist monasteries
Buddhism seen as undermining the family system and as eroding the tax base
1000’s were monks and nuns
Tax free land
Encouraged women to partake in politics
Buddhism became associated with the evils of society and with foreigners

7. The Tang Trade Decline Roads, river transport and canals  growth
in trade
Exported far more than it imported
Most desired products: porcelain and silk
Decline
With expansion came reliance on provincial military governors
Internal rebellions

8. The Song Dynasty ( )
After the fall of the Tang a major state to emerge was the Chinese Song

9. Founder of the Song
Dynasty T'ai Tsu

10. The Song Government: Moveable type Emperor
Civil Service Exam (Confucianism)
Broke domination of the hereditary aristocracy
Govt service based on merit
Moveable type
Mass- produce examination texts
Spread info. on new agr. technology  increase production  increase population

11. The Song Neo-Confucianism Reaction to popularity of Buddhism/Daoism
Human nature is moral, rational, and essentially good
Emphasized individual moral and social responsibility
Ideal person= sage (person with mental serenity who could deal with social ills)

12. The Song Economy Women Interregional credit system “flying money”
Govt issued paper money
Women
Subordinate to men
Could not own property
Remarriage forbidden
Foot binding- forced toes under towards the heel
status symbol

13. Perfect Bound
Foot was
3 inches long
“Golden Lotus”

15. Bound feet had to be washed and cared for daily. 
If toe nails grew into the instep, infection could set in. 
If the bindings were too tight, gangrene and blood poisoning could occur. 
The bound foot was painful and tender forever. 
It often had an unpleasant smell.

18. Decline Military weakness on northern border
had to pay tribute to the Liao Dynasty in order to prevent raids
Tangut from Tibet also another threat  pay tribute
Cost of maintaining a large army drained resources and put burden on peasants
Jurchens est. a kingdom in 1125 and invaded China
Song fled and est. a smaller kingdom (Southern Song)