2. Empress Wu 624-705 A.D.

3.  Empress Wu was born in Chang’an China in 624.

4.  Empress Wu is most famous for being the 1 st woman to rule in China & -Not only did she rule by herself, but she ruled for almost a century (690-705).  Empress Wu went to great extremes to get her place as empress. -She strangled her own daughter & blamed Empress Wang for the murder, just so she could replace the Empress. FAME OF EMPRESS WU

5.  When Wu Zetian was 13 she caught the eye of Emperor Taizong with he intelligence, wit and beauty.  Emperor Taizong recruited her at the age of 14 as his concubine. Emperor Taizong

6.  Emperor Gaozong, son of Emperor Taizong  He was married to Wu Zetian after he had his wife, Empress Wang, replaced because Wu Zetian accused Wang of killing her daughter.

7.  Empress Wu chose Buddhism over Daoism as the favored-state religion.  Buddhism had it’s highest development during the rule of Empress Wu.

8.  Empress Wu proved her doubters wrong & showed them that as a female ruler she could accomplish tasks for her country.  She re-opened the Silk Road to make China & Middle Asia trading partners.

9.  Empress Wu spent wasted little time taking rule & getting rid of those who weren’t loyal to her. -As soon as she became princess she disposed of two chancellors that were once loyal to the former Empress.

10. " Empress Wu Zetian." Female Hero: (Women in World History Curriculum). N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2013.. "Empress Wu Zetian." N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2013.. "Tang Empress Wu Zetian." TravelChinaGuide. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2013.. "Wu Zhao Biography: Empress Wu." Totally History Empress Wu Zetian Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2013..