Transcript Chapter 3

Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E.
Benefits of the Dynasty
1. land redistribution policy: land in accordance with
household numbers
2. Formalized the Confucian Exam system
3. Growth of Silk Road Trade
3. Established army of professional soldiers
4. Grand Canal Created
Cost of the Dynasty
1. People were overworked and over
taxed
Grand
Canal
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.
 High point of Chinese history
1. Imperial examination system perfected
2. Liberal attitude towards all religions
 Spread of Buddhism in China
3. Golden Age of foreign relations with other countries:
Japan, Korea, Persia
4. New Technologies: porcelain – mechanical clock
5. Tea arrived in China from Southeast Asia
6. Trade routes thrived: Silk Road / Indian Ocean
7. Social mobility was possible through education
Chinese Class Structure
1. Gentry Class: scholars and government workers from wealthy
landowning class. Exempt from land taxes, and dominated the
money-lending system of China. (Foot-binding occurred at this
level)
2. Peasants: The majority of Chinese. Worked land but could rise
in social class through education and government service
3. Merchant Class: Lowest class because they profited from the
labor of others.
Gender: Women were given more respect and power.
Foot-Binding in Tang China
 Broken toes by 3 years of age.
 Size 5 ½ shoe
on the right
Firmly entrenched
practice among the upper
class by 1200 A.C.E.
Results of Foot-Binding
Tang Gov’t. Organization
-Very well organized
-Set the model for all
future Chinese
governments
Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705
 Only Chinese Empress to rule alone
 Constructed new irrigation systems
 Buddhism was favored state
religion
 Financed building of many
Buddhist temples
End of Tang Dynasty
 Causes of decline
 Misrule
 Court intrigues
 Economic exploitation
 Rebellions
 Made
it possible for northern invaders
to defeat them
 Next 50 years saw fragmentation of
China
 Five
northern dynasties
 Ten southern kingdoms
Song Dynasty Achievements
1. Military strength was 1.25 million men.
Military leaders were educated specialists
who were tested on military subjects, and
paid a regular salary. (Not the best army)
2. Inventions: Gunpowder – moveable type –
compass
3. Silk-Road trade suffered from nomads but
internal trade and sea trade remained brisk
4. Rice harvest improved with 2 crops a year
5. First use of paper money
Song [Sung] Dynasty,
960-1279 C.E.
6. Creation of urban, merchant
middle class
7. Neo-Confucianists wanted
to purify Confucianism
8. Increased emphasis on education &
cheaper availability of printed books
Song Rice Cultivation