1. Medieval China and America
Test 6 – Part I

2. Disunion, Sui Dynasty 221-581 CE - Period of disunion
the time of disorder that followed the collapse of the Han Dynasty
China divided into smaller kingdoms
Similar to Europe
581 CE – Sui Dynasty established (one ruler: Yang Jian)
Complex bureaucracy
Provincial Governors
Neo-Confucianism
Buddhist, Daoist, Confucian

3. Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE) Collapsed due to rebellion
Known for harsh rule: forced peasants who owed taxes to fight in the army
Created a centralized and unified state and laid the foundation for the golden age that followed
Lengthened the Great Wall
Constructed the Grand Canal
Collapsed due to rebellion
(618 CE)

4. The Grand Canal Project rivaling the Great Wall in magnitude
Provided an unbroken inland transport between the Yellow and Yangzi rivers.
Canal facilitated trade between central China and southern China.

5. Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE) King, bureaucracy, provincial governors
Neo-Confucianism
Buddhist influence angered elites
Lacked ‘obedience’ of Confucianism
Civil Service Exam returns

6. Women in the Tang Dynasty
Wu Zetian ( CE)
Only female to rule China as empress
Most women’s status declined
Could not own property
Divorce/Remarry
Foot-Binding

7. Tang Dynasty-Achievements
Completed the Grand Canal
Invention
Steel manufacturing
Moveable type printing press
Gunpowder
Rebellions end Tang
906 CE

8. Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) Similar organization to Sui, Tang
Provinces, Bureaucracy, Governors, Neo-Confucianism
Civil Service Exam
Women’s status stayed the same (or declined)

9. Song Achievements and Decline
Invention:
Buying on credit (buy now, pay later)
Paper money
Magnetic compass
Collapse
Long borders
Weak/corrupt rulers
High taxes/inflation
Rebellion
Nomadic invasion (Mongols)

10. The Americas The Mayan Civilization The Aztec Civilization
(~300-~900 CE)
The Aztec Civilization
(1200-early 1500s CE)
The Incan Civilization
(~ CE)

11. The Maya Organized into city-states Polytheistic Social Hierarchy:
Similar to Olmecs, Mesopotamia
Not unified as an empire
Polytheistic
Worshiped gods revolving around nature
Blood-letting rituals, sacrifices
Social Hierarchy:
Noble/Upper class, commoner/worker, slave

12. Mayan Achievements Created an accurate calendar Road-building
World ending in 2012
Road-building
Complex irrigation systems
Math, Astronomy
Hieroglyphics
Monument building
*No firearms, wheel, iron

13. Fall of the Mayan Civilization
Around 900 CE
Unknown causes
War?
Disease?
Famine?
Drought?
Something else?

14. The Aztecs Organized into city-states Polytheistic Social Hierarchy:
Similar to Olmecs, Mayas, Mesopotamia
Initially not unified until 1400s
Tenochtitlan - Capital
Polytheistic
Worshiped gods revolving around nature
Blood-letting rituals, sacrifices
Social Hierarchy:
Noble/Upper class, commoner/worker, slave

15. Aztec Achievements Like the Maya, economy based on agriculture
Maize, beans, squash, potatoes, avocados
Strong economic and military tradition
Calendar (365 days)

16. Fall of the Aztec Civilization
Spanish conquistadors (‘explorers’)
Hernan Cortes
Exploitation for gold, riches
Biological warfare
Small pox
Advanced weaponry, horses

17. The Incan Civilization
Difference: Inca were unified
Single ruler over all city-states
Polytheistic
Human sacrifices
Mostly children (most pure)
Similar social structure to Maya, Aztecs

18. Incan Achievements Economy based mostly on trade, agriculture
Llamas, Alpaca, corn, squash, potatoes
Paid taxes through public labor
Monuments (Machu Picchu)
No Writing System
Knots on rope for records (Quipu)

19. Fall of the Incan Civilization
Spanish conquistadors (‘explorers’)
Francisco Pizarro
Exploitation for gold, riches
Biological warfare
Small pox
Advanced weaponry, horses

20. Women of the Americas Three major civilizations were similar
Women could:
Own/inherit property
Become priestesses
Participate in blood-letting (yay!)
Women were not political or social equals