Transcript Post Classical China

Post Classical China
Sui, Tang, Song
Dynasties
China reunited under the Sui
Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E.
 “Land Equalization” System –> land
redistribution.
 Unified coinage.
 Grand Canal constructed.
 Established an army of professional
soldiers.

People were overworked and
overtaxed!
The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal Today
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.
 Imperial examination system perfected.
(meritocracy established)
 Liberal attitude towards all religions.

Spread of Buddhism in China
 Golden Age of foreign relations with
other countries. 

Japan, Korea, Persia
Tang Government Organization
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.
 New technologies:
– Printing --> moveable print 
– Porcelain
– Gunpowder
– Mechanical clocks
 More cosmopolitan culture.
 Reestablished the safety of the
Silk Road.
 Tea comes into China from Southeast Asia. 
Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705
 The only female Empress in China’s
history who ruled alone. 
 Searched for outstanding individuals
to attract to her court.
 Construction of new irrigation
systems.
 Buddhism was the favored state
religion.
 Financed the building of many
Buddhist temples.
Foot-Binding in Tang China
• Broken toes by 3 years of age.
 Size 5 ½ shoe
on the right
Foot-Binding in Tang China
Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.
The Results of Foot-Binding
It was a dynasty of prosperity and
education.
• Literature, science, technology, art, and poetry
flourished.
The Sung (Song) Dynasty
960-1279 CE
• Technology continued to
advance.
• They created manufactured
goods to export to other areas
of the world.
• The Arts flourished.
• A combination of Buddhism and
Confucianism were added to the
civil service exams. (This was
called Neo – Confucianism .)
A scholar-official
Confucius says:
Peace and social order come by acting
“right” in all of our relationships.
• “Those above should be kind to those below.”
Ruler
Subject
Father
Son
Older Sibling
Younger Sibling
Husband
Wife
Friend
Friend
• “Those below should Respect and Obey
those above.”
Buddha Says:
We should speak in a manner
that does not hurt others.
We should get rid
of greed and
overcome
ignorance.
We should strive
to get rid of any
hurtful thought or
attitude.
We should act in a
way that does not
harm others.
We should
make a living in
a way that does
not harm
others.
Rice Cultivation Began Under the Song
Agriculture
Cities
Southern Gate of Chang’an
Art and Writing
Poet Li Bo
Poet Du Fu