China: Life after the Han

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

1000: imported fast-ripening rice from

Vietnam. - Harvest two rice crops a year.

Agriculture

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

I always say put your best foot forward