1. Two Golden Ages in China: Tang & Song Dynasties

3. Two Great Dynasties in China
During the Tang ( ) and Song ( ) dynasties, China became the richest, powerful, most advanced country in the world.

4. Why it Matters: Inventions from this period such as printing & gunpowder dramatically changed history.
Main Idea:
Tang & Song China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.

5. Tang Dynasty Accomplishments
Rulers such as Li Yuan, the 1st emperor, expanded Chinese empire.
-----How? Vietnam, Tibet, and Korea became tributary states (independent but had to show loyalty, pay taxes to China)
Enlarged civil service system

6. Tang Dynasty Accomplishments
Established land reform (redistributed land to peasants)- Think: Where have we seen this before?....
Effect of land reform: tax revenue from peasants
Grand Canal was built- linked Yellow (Huang He) to Yangzi River)

7. Controlled less territory than the Tang
Song Dynasty
Controlled less territory than the Tang
Economy expanded, especially in farming due to better irrigation and crop production
Foreign trade exploded under both dynasties

8. Chinese Society
Three main social groupings:
Gentry (landowners)
Peasants (farmers)
Merchants
(Businessmen)

9. Status of Women
Most remained within the home but enjoyed great authority over family affairs.
Absorbed into husband’s family after marriage.
This reflects Confucian traditions.

10. Achievements of Tang/Song
Mechanical clock
Gunpowder (huge in warfare, empire-building)
Block print, movable type
Smallpox vaccine
Landscape painting
Poetry (Li Bo/ Li Bai- Tang poet)

11. Inventions of Tang and Song China

12. Most of these pieces have been found in the more affluent tombs of the Tang period

13. The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared
Tang Only
Song Only
Both
Expanded empire by establishing tributary states,
adopted Buddhism
Ruled smaller empire,
developed into great sea power, created movable type
Prospered due to trade, improved agriculture, great art & literature,
created ordered society