Transcript China reunified - Brimley Area Schools / Overview

Chapter 8, Section 1
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Sui Yandi
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Completed the Grand Canal
A cruel leader Used forced labor
 High taxes
 Extravagant and luxurious lifestyle
 Military failures caused rebellion
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Murdered and his dynasty came to an end.
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Oldest and Longest Canal
6,000,000 laborers to complete
approximately, 3,000,000 of those people died from the sheer labor and
hunger.
 At that time, many believed the endeavor was a complete waste of
human life and money, which was a huge contributor to the downfall
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of this dynasty.
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1,200 miles long.
Connects the Huang He (Yellow River and the
Chang Jiang (Yangtze River)
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Reforms
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Restored the civil service examination.
Tried to create a more state economy by:
 Giving land to the peasants
 Breaking up the power of the large estates.
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To restore power they:
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Brought peace to northwestern China.
Chinese imperial court set up trade and diplomatic
relations with states of Southeast Asia.
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Their demise –
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Rulers were unable to prevent
plotting and government
corruption.
 Tang Xuanzang
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Became prey to rebellions.
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Hired Uighurs (WEE-GURZ), a tribal group to fight
for the dynasty.
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Period of economic prosperity and culture
achievement.
When their northern neighbors moved into
China, the Song rulers moved the imperial
court of Hangzhou (HONG-JOH).
During the 1200s---Here come the MONGOLS!
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Monarchy with large bureaucracy.
Government Structure:
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Economy grew in size
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Provinces, districts, and villages
Confucian ideals.
Agriculture flourished
Manufacturing and trade grew.
Worked to weaken the power of large
landholders.
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Tang and Song Eras were an age of prosperity.
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Marco Polo
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Social structure had changed.
Landed Gentry
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Described the capital as one of the wealthies and largest
cities on Earth.
New Forms of Entertainment for the rich.
Vast majority still lived off the land in villages.
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Hangzhou, the capital city
Scholar-gentry
Wu Zhou (WOO-JOW)
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Strangled her own daughter and then accused the
empress of the crime.