1. 3-11-13

2. Background: After the Han Dynasty fell, no dynasty or emperor was strong enough to hold China together. After 350 years Tang and Song dynasty finally restore strong central government for China.

3. Wendi- first emperor of this dynasty Greatest accomplishment: completion of the Grand Canal The Grand Canal connected the Huang He and the Chang Jiang : was vital for trade. connected the northern cities to the southern rice-producing region

5. Due to the endless labor of peasants on state projects like the Grand Canal and the Great Wall, peasants revolted and killed the second Sui Emperor in 618

6. Tang Taizong began the dynasty. He reigned from 626- 649 Empire Expanded-armies reconquered western lands China had lost Extended influence into Korea Wu Zhao was empress during campaign in Korea She took over power of China in 690

7. Strengthened central government in China Expanded network of roads and canals Promoted foreign trade Made improvements in Agriculture

8. Tang Dynasty revived and expanded civil service examinations Those who pass became part of an elite group of scholar-officials Exams were open to all men- however only wealth could afford necessary years of education to pass the exam. Men with political connections could earn positions without taking exam

9. Imposed crushing taxes in mid 700’s to pay for governments programs and military expansion Muslim armies defeated Chinese Central Asia was under foreign control 907 Chinese rebels attacked Tang capital and assassinated the emperor.

10. After the fall of the Tang Dynasty rival warlords divided China into separate kingdoms. 960: General Taizu reunited China and declared himself the first emperor of the Song Dynasty. Lasted about three centuries(like the Tang Dynasty) Under this dynasty China remained strong, stable and powerful

11. They could not recover the land conquered by foreign enemies. Tried to buy peace to their northern enemies by paying tributes of silver, silk, and tea. This method failed and the Jurchen took over northern China, leaving the Song dynasty only southern China to rule.

12. They moved capital city to Hangzhou They prospered economically Merchants in southern cities grew rich from trade

13. Technological innovations: moveable type and gunpowder. Advances in mathematics-arithmetic and algebra Agriculture improvements: cultivation of rice (faster ripening rice) produced more food Trade Flourished: Silk Road (until end of Tang Dynasty) Increased Ocean Trade-advances in sailing technology Golden Age of Poetry and Art