China—Dynastic Overview

Introduction

• Dynasties– Sui (589-618)– Tang (618-907)– Song (960-1279)

• Themes– Rise and Decline of Buddhism– Neo-Confucianism and the Scholar Gentry– Women in Tang/Song Society– Economic Prosperity and Innovation

Recurring Cycle of Chinese History

Age of Division (221-589)

• Chaos and Flux• Nomads in North

Age of Division (221-589)

• Chaos and Flux• Nomads in North• What group grows in power if central gov is

weak?

Age of Division (221-589)

• Chaos and Flux• Nomads in North• Growth of power of Aristocracy• Shift towards Yangzi• Fate of Confucianism?

Age of Division (221-589)

• Chaos and Flux• Nomads in North• Growth of power of Aristocracy• Shift towards Yangzi• Conf. struggles; Buddhism/Taoism grow

Sui (589-618)

• Rise of the Sui– Yang Jian: marriage, warfare, diplomacy– Yang JianWendi

Sui (589-618)

• Rise of the Sui– Yang Jian: marriage, warfare, diplomacy– Yang JianWendi

• Sui Rule– Taxes & Granaries– Canal System– Confucian Education and Exam System• Helps…

Sui (589-618)

• Rise of the Sui– Yang Jian: marriage, warfare, diplomacy– Yang JianWendi

• Sui Rule– Taxes & Granaries– Canal System– Confucian Education and Exam System• Helps Scholar Gentry over Aristocracy

Sui (589-618)

• Rise of the Sui– Yang Jian: marriage, warfare, diplomacy– Yang JianWendi

• Sui Rule– Taxes & Granaries– Canal System– Confucian Education and Exam System

• Sui Excess and Decline– Spending and Milit Campaigns– Murder of Yangdi

Tang (618-907)

• Li Yuan• Military Expansion

Tang (618-907)

• Li Yuan• Military Expansion• Decline of Tang– Palace Intrigue• Yang Guifei

– Milit Rebellion and Mutiny– Rising Power of Nomads– Splintering

Song (907-1279)

• Founding– Zhao Kuangyin– Liao

Song (907-1279)

• Founding– Zhao Kuangyin– Liao

• Relative Weakness (382????)• Decline– Econ– Internal Revolts and Nomads– Southern Song– Mongols

Themes Rise and Decline of Buddhism Neo-Confucianism and the Scholar Gentry Women in Tang/Song Society Economic Prosperity and Innovation