Transcript CHAPTER 10
10 The Flowering of Traditional China China after the Han (220-581) Division and civil war Nomads from the Gobi Desert Effects of the Collapse of the Han on the Chinese Psyche: Decline of Confucian principles Preference for philosophical Daoism Growth of Buddhism China during the Tang & Song Dynasties China Reunified: The Sui, the Tang, and the Song The Sui (581-618) Yang Jian (Yang Chien) • Turned to Daoism and Buddhism • Builder as well as a conqueror Sui Yangdi (Sui Yang Ti) • 1400 mile long Grand Canal • • • Connects Yellow and Yangtze Rivers Used to move commodities to the north Used to move troops quickly • Was assassinated in 618 ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Grand canal at Wuxi ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning ™ is a trademark used herein under license. China under the Tang ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Chang’an under the Sui and the Tang The Tang (618-907) Li Yuan established a new dynasty after the murder of the last Sui Tang Taizong (T’ang T’ai-tsung) Expansion Cultural growth – poetry and sculpture Spread of Buddhism Internal problems during the Tang dynasty Border problems and the end of the Tang The Song (960-1279) Song Taizu (Sung T’ai-tsu) Problems with nomads Prosperity and cultural growth Collapse Mongols, 1279 Terraced rice paddies in southern China Economic Revolution Population doubled during Song era Agricultural prosperity New variety of rice New cash crops – e.g. tea, sugar Dikes, reservoirs, & dams Water pumps ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Statues of traitors to Song dynasty in Hangzhou Political Structures Equal Opportunity in China: The Civil Service Examination Grand Council had representatives from all three authorities: Civil, military, and censorate Civil Service Exam Song examination system – based only on Confucianism • Three levels • Qualifying exams – accept teaching level position • Second exam • Final exam • Problems with the civil service system • Achievements of the civil service system Local Government District governed by a magistrate Village governed by council of elders Economy and Society Still largely agricultural Tang reduced power of the nobility for short period Equal field system Then tried to control through taxes Innovations in agriculture Urban economy saw significant increase in trade and manufacturing Commercial growth Internal trade, facilitated by canals & paper $ Overseas maritime trade facilitated by magnetic compass & junks Growth in industry Esp. silk fabric, porcelain & paper Water powered mills & bellows Iron & steel Ocean Trade and the Silk Road Guilds began to appear Credit or “Flying money” Long distance trade overland and by sea Silk Road – hazardous Development of sea trade Innovations in ship building Products of trade Society in Traditional China Growth and development of cities Rise of the Gentry Peasants and village life Village architecture Family unit Male superiority Children expected to obey parents; position of daughters Women New form of dowry – bride’s parents pay the groom’s family a dowry Introduction of bound feet Women’s rights Wu Zhao, (625?-706?), Empress Wu Ideal woman’s foot = 3” long! FOOT BINDING Lotus Shoes HOWCH? The grandmother and mother would wrap her daughter's or granddaughter's feet around 5-7 years old. As the process went on over years, the girl would be in terrible pain. The reason for the heels becoming so hard is because the girl would walk on her heels during the process because her toes would be in such pain. After years of this process, the bones would heal in the position of the binding, and the girl would no longer feel pain. There were contests by parents to obtain the daughters with the smallest feet. The smaller the feet were, the more beautiful she was; thus the more likely she would be chosen as a bride of a nobleman. When the liberation occurred, the women were told to unwrap their feet lest they be killed. Some of the women's feet grew 1/2 - 1 inch after the unwrapping. FOOT BINDING Q & A! When did foot binding begin? Tang Dynasty (618-907) among upper class Why? It’s beautiful. Right? • Another q: Would men find the deformed feet attractive/erotic? Was it always the same? No—It got much more debilitating (and widespread) during the later Qing Dynasty. (When was the Qing Dynasty?) • Last one – 1636-1911 The ideal foot: approx. 7.5 cm! Mongolian Empire ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Asia Under the Mongols Mongolian dinero “Khan Khash” Explosion in Central Asia: The Mongol Empire Mongols succeeded the Song as rulers in 1279 Genghis Khan (Temuchin), elected Universal Ruler New tactics for his warriors; compound bow Introduction of “Fire lance” by their enemies Mongols turn west toward Europe/Middle East Set up a capital at Karakorum Territory divided at his death into separate khnates Peace in Asia Growth of trade Legal code for Mongols Religious toleration The Golden Horde Khagan Ogedei dies . . . succession struggle ensues Western Europe is spared Destroyed Kiev Moscow collected tribute for the Khans & dominated other cities Peasants reduced to serfdom because of crushing burden of tribute Impact on Islam? Baghdad (the Abbasid capital) is destroyed Muslim military strength weakens Focal points of Islamic civilization devastated as cities in Asia and Mediterranean are destroyed Muslims remained active in world markets/ Arab role reduced Ottoman Turks dominant Khubilai built a Chinese capital, took Chinese names, created a Chinese dynasty (Yuan), and set up a Chinese adminstration Yuan Social Order Mongol women had property rights & did not bind their feet 1. Mongols 2. Central Asian Allies & Muslims 3. Scholar gentry less powerful as exams discontinued Mongols & Chinese Separate 1. Nomadic women in harem 2. Military separate 3. Chinese scholars forbidden to learn Mongol script 4.No intermarriage Merchants & artisans gained status ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Models of traditional Chinese single-mast sailing vessels The Ming Dynasty Zhu Yuanzhang (Chu Yuan-chang) overthrew the Yuan regime and founded the Ming dynasty (1369 – 1644) Achievements of the Ming The Voyages of Zhengha Reasons for voyages Results An Inward Turn New focus on domestic issues and an end of voyages of exploration In Search of the Way Rise and Decline of Buddhism and Daoism Common people and the ruling class attracted to Buddhism and Daoism New sects in Buddhism • Chan (Zen in Japan) • Mind training and strict • Pure Land • White Lotus Problems faced by Buddhism and Daoism • Official persecution • Envy over wealthy monasteries • Temples and monasteries destroyed Denial of Confucian teachings Neo-Confucianism: The Investigation of Things Revival following decline of Buddhism and Daoism Neo-Confucianism was to unite Buddhism and Daoism with Confucianism Neo-Confucianism and lack of advancement in some fields The Apogee of Chinese Culture Literature Paper and moveable type Ink rubbings and woodblock Poetry Popular culture The Chinese Novel Art Buddhism and Daoist painting and sculpture Ceramics Painting