China -- Sui, Tang, &

Song Dynasties

Sui 589-618

Tang 618-907

Song 960 -1279

BackgroundAfter the fall of the Han Empire (220 c.e.)

Northern China was invaded by nomadic groups (who assimilated Chinese culture)

No leader in southern China was strong enough to control the entire region (30 dynasties in about 300 years claimed the Mandate of Heaven).

For 350 years, regional rule was the political reality.

Background

By 589, the first emperor of the Sui dynasty had forcefully reunited northern and southern China once again. The foundations for

the Tang & Song Dynasties were laid.

―A Golden Age‖

China during the Tang and Song

dynasties had . . .

political stability (strong central

government)

economic growth & change

intellectual & artistic achievement

Grand Canal

China during the Sui,

Tang, & Song Dynasties

Sui 589-618

Tang 618-907

Song 960 -1279

CHANGES

In the 300 years between the Han and

the Sui Dynasties –

Buddhism spread & changed

Migration of people into southern China

Destruction of old growth forests and

animal species

CHANGES

DURING THE TANG & SONG dynasties

Economic revolution, commercialization,

and urbanization

Technological innovation

Cultural and Economic interaction with

―outsiders‖ – spread of Chinese culture

Buddhism changed

SEE STRAYERNOTES #1,2,3,8,9,10

1. What CAUSED

Buddhism & Daoism to

gain more acceptance?

What caused the

environmental

changes?

2. What CAUSED the

economic revolution &

commercialization to

take place in

China?(382-384)

3. What CAUSED

women’s status to

decline?

8. What CAUSED

China to have greater

interaction with

Eurasia?

9. What CAUSED the

growth of Buddhism in

China? (401)

10. What CAUSED

Buddhism to change

as it spread in China?

(401-402)

CONTINUITIES from the Classical Period

through the Sui, Tang, & Song Dynasties.

Confucianism remained a foundation of

government, social structure, and culture

(Daoism, too).

Agriculture remained the foundation of

the economy.

Strong central government continued

with a powerful emperor (mandate of

heaven) & scholar-bureaucracy

(examination system)

Written language

was separate from

spoken languages

The social class

structure &

patriarchy remained

relatively constant.

Social Classes (continuities)

Landowners (landed gentry) were at the

top of the social class system.

Scholar-bureaucrats (scholar gentry) &

military leaders were also in upper-class.

Merchants and artisans could acquire a

great deal of wealth - but were still in the

lower classes.

Interaction with nomadic groups to the

North continued to influence the politics,

economy, and culture of China.

Chinese cultural influence on its

neighbors remained strong.

Gender RolesWomen’s status remained low

(despite attempts at reform by

several empresses).

The Song Period saw women

at a very low social status.

Evidence: Seclusion, lack

of property rights, polygamy

and use of concubines,

exclusion from education, &

FOOTBINDING.

From Ning Lao T'ai-t'ai

―A girl's beauty and desirability were

counted more by the size of her feet

than by the beauty of her face.

Matchmakers were not asked, 'Is she

beautiful?' but 'How small are her

feet?' A plain face is given by

heaven but poorly bound feet are a

sign of laziness.‖

Economic Revolution in Tang &

Song China

Agricultural production improved & crop

specialization intensified with improved

infrastructure, iron implements, and

printing.

RESULT –

Population dramatically

increased

ECONOMIC

REVOLUTION

INDUSTRY increased

in manufacturing

Metals

Silk

Porcelain

Producing goods for the market

instead of local consumption became

common

TRADE Indian Ocean trade

increased with Tang control over coastal Southern China

Silk Road tradeincreased

Commercial developments

Banking and Credit system

Government issued paper money.

Technology and Innovation

First chain driven mechanism - the clock (1088)

Gunpowder

Paper production and block printing techniques were invented and then advanced—moveable type.

Boat building and navigational technology was more advanced than the rest of the world.

Other Advancements included:

Tang and Song China had some of the

largest cities in the world.

Song Chinese were the first to use

fractions in computations and equations.

Solar year was accurately measured

Doctors in Song China compiled and

printed medical texts

In terms of advancements, innovations,

and knowledge, China benefited from

centuries of Chinese scholarship and

technology.

Influences from other parts of the world

(especially during the Tang period) also

had a considerable effect.