Transcript Unit 1: From Pre-History to Early Civilizations

Section I: The Great Chinese Dynasties
(Pages 242-248)
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This section is about:
How the Sui and Tang
Dynasties reunified
China and achieved a
golden age of culture.
China’s tremendous
economic growth during
the reign of the Song
rulers.
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We’re moving back to
Southeast Asia – including
China (which we already know a
little about).
China is the main country in this
part of the world (they
dominated the area for over
1000 years).
Because they were so
successful, the other areas of
the region were heavily
influenced by the Chinese and
their culture.
What do we already know about
China?
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Mon_______
Rel_______
Cu_________
Ma____ Po____
and The _______
Look at page 244:
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Main Ideas – what are 3
dynasties in this section?
Active Reading: Point of
View (let’s read that)
What’s a recent “point of
view” issue in your life?
Another thing you’ll see
with China is: when
rulers change, everything
can change.
The Sui and Tang Dynasties
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After the Han Dynasty (earlier
section in our book), China had
almost constant struggles and
wars for about 300 years
(everyone wanted China’s
resources).
Buddhism was growing at that
time.
They had some problems with
Daoism and Confucianism, but
they eventually each existed together.
(Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Shinto)
The Sui Dynasty
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Sui Wendi (and his son)
tried to re-unify and
“restore the glory” of the
Chinese Empire.
They increased the power
of the government, built
roads and canals (trade
and national unity),
repaired the Great Wall.
Some people were mad at
him, because this cost so
much money, and he was
assassinated in 618.
-The Tang Dynasty (626 -)
-Tang Expansion
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Tang Tai Zong:
conquered new
territories – which he
made tributary states
(conquered areas
which had to pay
China money).
Two of these areas
were Korea and
Japan.
Read the quote on
page 245 (textbook)
that comes from Tai
Zong.
Why does he value
direct access to
information?
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In China: Tang emperors
restored the “civil service”
system.
This meant the citizens had a
part in the government,
including keeping records,
issuing a new code of laws, and
keeping track of people
(including a census).
This helped with land redistribution. The wealthy had
to give some of their land to
the poor (who could then take
care of themselves and pay
taxes).
It‘s also a time of China’s only
woman empress (married to
the emperor, who got sick, and
she took over). She was very
cruel: she executed anyone
who challenged her authority.
Prosperity of the Tang
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During this time, their
population increased a lot –
many moving south and
growing rice (still wheat in the
north).
Roads and canals improved
trade, travel, and
communication (the biggest
was “The Grand Canal.”
Large Cities started growing
(Changan – 2 million people).
Many foreigners visited – who
also brought ideas of
Christianity and Islam.
The Tang lasted until…
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…the mid 700s.
There were border wars
and struggles for power.
Revolts started breaking
out and China broke into
a bunch of smaller
territories, which had
disagreements with each
other.
The Song Dynasty (960 - )
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Tai Zu unified China and began
a dynasty which lasted until
1279.
But, he reduced the size and
role of the military.
Others came in (several wars)
and even forced China to pay
tribute to them.
These wars cost a lot of
money (China was spending
80% of it’s money on it’s own
defense), so something had to
be changed.
The Reforms of Wang Anshi
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In 1069, the emperor appointed
Wang Anshi to reform the
government.
He looked for ways the
government could make more
money.
He gave low cost loans to
peasants (the interest went back
to the government).
The prices of products were
regulated (controlled).
He reformed the military and
improved the civil service system
(had to pass a test).
Some people opposed him though
and he was removed from office.
In 1125 and 1126, the Chinese
were overtaken by people from
the north and Song China never
recovered.
Song Prosperity
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The Song Dynasty was a golden
age for the Chinese economy,
technology, and the arts.
Farms improved: developed
rice that could be grown twice a
year (more food and few
farmers needed to produce it).
Gunpowder first used as a
weapon.
New methods for casting iron.
Ceramic and Porcelain industry
improved.
Abacus starting to be used.
Improvements in shipbuilding.
Development of a magnetic
compass.
Better roads and canals (trade,
travel, and communication).
Compass web site
Culture and Prosperity (the Arts)
under the Tang and the Song
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New wealth encouraged
the Arts
Porcelain became finer.
Multi-storied buildings
Pagodas first built.
Landscape painting
became a major art form
for the Tang and Song.
Literature improved
(romance and adventure).
Better education and
better printing methods
helped literature.
Social Order (Tang/Song)
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The emperor: head of government
Aristocrats
Wealthy landowners (gentry)
Peasants (most of the population often worked in the army or in the
mines) – some cities grew rapidly.
Talented peasant boys could go to
school, study, become a civil
servant, and their family may move
up in status.
Merchants – lower than peasants,
because they didn’t produce
anything.
It helped to become educated: you
could get civil service jobs.
Any time the government was
having a rough time, the Chinese
made reforms.
Were often absentee landlords who
owned land, but just rented it out
But… women had it rough
at this time in China
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Their status declined.
Women were considered
inferior to men.
Foot-binding began to be
a custom.