Transcript Chinese Dynasties

Chinese Dynasties
(600-1650)
I. Tang Dynasty: (618-907)
Lasted 300 years and
became the richest and
most powerful country
in the world at that time.
1. Tang Taizong: (627649) powerful Chinese
ruler who accomplished
many things:
* Expanded the
empire
*strengthened the government
*built roads and canals
*lowered taxes
*expanded bureaucracy
2. Decline of Tang
Dynasty- 907 – due to
government corruption,
drought, and rebellion
Mandate of Heaven
II. Song Dynasty –-(960-1279)
prosperous dynasty
but was weakened
by invaders and
eventually
conquered by the
Mongols in 1279.
Chinese Inventions
Porcelain
Mechanical Clock
Block Printing
Gunpowder
Paper Money
Magnetic Compass
Time Period
700’s
700’s
700’s
800’s
1020’s
1100’s
Block
Printing
II. Ming Dynasty—(13641644) Peaceful
and prosperous
time for
China
1. 1368—Ming Dynasty
conquered Mongols and
forced them out of China
2. Chinese attitude: Called
themselves “Middle Kingdom”
illustrating that they saw
themselves as the center of the
universe
a. This is ethnocentric – attitude that
your race/culture is superior to
everyone else’s.
3. Zheng He – 1405
- set out with
fleet of ships to
promote oversea
trade and collect
tribute
[payment] from
lesser lords
a. took 7 trips and traveled to
Southeast Asia, India, Arabian
Peninsula, and along coast of East
Africa
4. 1500—Europeans try to
establish trade routes
with China
a. Chinese were uninterested
in European attempts at
trade and were untrusting
of foreigners after Mongol
invasion and rule
b. RESULT = Chinese
severely restrict trade
with Europe
TRADE = Isolationism!
Mandate of Heaven