Post on 30-Dec-2015
description
Han Dynasty collapsed in 220 C.E. China struggled to be unified and more than 30
local dynasties rose and fell.
Sui Wendi – first emperor of the Sui dynasty. Unites Northern and Southern China once again. Strong Central Government. Hey! Hey! It is known as the Golden Age!!!! - Rich, powerful, and most advanced country
during its time.
Setting the Stage
Sui dynasty (589-618): Lasted only two
emperors. Greatest Accomplishment – Grand Canal. - Water way connected Huang He (Yellow
River) and the Yangtze River. 5 years – 1,000 miles Thousands died build the canal and rebuilding
the great wall. 618 – revolt and second emperor strangled by
member of the imperial court.
Sui Wendi
Ruled nearly 300 years (618 – 907). Tang Taizong reign lasted 627 – 649. - Reconquered Northern and Western lands
that China lost under the Han dynasty. 668- Reigned over Korea. Empress Wu Zhao had real power from 660 to
690 during a succession of weak emperors. 690 – Wu Zhao took the title of Emperor for
herself. Only woman to ever do so in China.
Tang Dynasty
Strengthened the central government of
China. Expanded network of roads and canals begun
by the Sui. Lowered taxes (remembered mistake of Sui
Emperor) Took some land from the wealthy and gave to
peasants. Promoted foreign trade and improvements in
agriculture.
Tang Rulers
Tang needed to manage vast empire –
restored China’s bureaucracy. Civil Service Exam by the Han restored and
expanded to recruit good officials. - Schools opened to train young scholars in
Confucianism, poetry, and other subjects that covered the exam.
Only a few passed. Exam open to all.
Scholar-Officials
Civil Service Exam – Talent and education
became more important than noble birth in winning power.
- Many moderately wealthy families shared in China’s government.
Scholar-Officials
Mid- 700s: To pay for military expansion raised crushing taxes. - Brought on hardships to people and still could not pay for
the rising cost of government. Famine – Peasants joined bandit gangs. Empire to vast – could not control it. 751 – Arab armies soundly defeated Chinese on China’s
western frontier at the Battle of Talas. Chinese lost control of Central Asia. Foreign and internal attacks weakened power. 907- Chinese rebels sacked and burned the Tang capital at
Chang’and killed the child emperor.
Tang Loses power
End of the Tang Dynasty rival warlords split
China into kingdoms. 960 – General reunited China proclaimed
himself Song Taizu – First Song (Sung) emperor.
Lasted 960 – 1279. Ruled smaller empire than Han and Tang,
China remained stable, powerful, and prosperous.
Song Dynasty restores China
Song armies never regained the western lands
lost after 751 or the Northern lands. Tried to buy peace with their Northern
enemies. - Annual tribute of Silver, Silk, and Tea. 1100s – Jurchen conquered Northern China
and established Jin empire. Song forced to retreat south across the Huang
He. 1126 – Song emperors ruled only Southern
China.
Song Dynasty
http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO7NHZJ-eE4&list=CLqr7xzEodC74
Quick Video
Period of Tang and Song dynasties was one of
intense growth. - Population, trade, wealth, new ideas, and
artistic achievements. - Population grew to 100,000,000 by the Song
era. 10 cities – 1 million in population each.
Era of prosperity and Innovation
Important inventions: Movable type and gunpowder. What is the movable type?
A printer could arrange blocks of individual characters in a frame to make up a page for printing
Science and Technology
Led to bombs, grenades, small rockets, and
cannons.
Other inventions: - Porcelain, the mechanical watch, paper
money, and use of the magnetic compass for sailing.
1000-1200: - Developed Algebra and began using Zero.
Gunpowder
Tang dynasty: guarded the silk road - Eventually lost control of the trade route.
Song Period: Turned to sea trade Goods sent to Korea, Japan, Africa, and other
colonies.
Chinese became tea drinkers and religions such as Islam and Christianity spread through the country.
Foreign Trade
Tang and Song: Old aristocratic families faded
and much larger upper class emerged. - Scholar officials and other well to do people
were called the gentry. Middle class: merchants, shopkeepers, skilled
artisans, minor officials. Bottom: Laborers, soldiers, and servants. Largest class:……….Peasants.
Levels of Society
Woman’s work was deemed less important to
the family’s prosperity and status – Upper Class. Foot binding: A young girl would have feet bound
very tight with cloth. - Broke the arch and would form a “lily-foot” - It would cripple women but showed a high
status.
Peasant women worked in the fields and helped produce an income.
Status of Women