Transcript Chinese Civilization: Tang & Song Dynasties

Chinese Civilization: Tang
& Song Dynasties
Sui-Tang Era
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Fall of the Han dynasty =
589 CE
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Wendi unifies China under the Sui
dynasty
 Wendi used alliances, intrigue,
warfare to achieve goals
 Conquered Korea
Yangdi murders his father
Wendi to gain the throne
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Chinese Warlords were military leaders
who run a government, and fought with
each other while nomads conquered parts
of northern China.
Made educational and legal reforms
Supported the Scholar-Gentry
Military defeats and expensive building
projects led to revolts and downfall
Unites China’s economy – which is an
organized way in which people produce,
sell, and buy things.
Sui-Tang Cont
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Li Yuan followed
Yangdi
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Founder of the Tang
Dynasty
Expanded China’s
boundaries
Set new capital at
Changan
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Scholar-Gentry and Exam
System
Most powerful Tang emperor was Taizong.
Empress Wu added more officials to the
government. She also strengthened
China’s military system.
Institutes reforms or changes that bring
about improvements.
Tang used scholar-gentry to create an
effective bureaucracy
Expanded Confucian-based examination
system
 Administered by Ministry of Rites
 Provided qualified bureaucrats
Jinshi = those who passed highest level
exams
Many gained positions through family
connections, not merit
Buddhism in the Tang Era
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Buddhism experienced
resurgence
Mahayana Buddhism won
many conversions
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Provided refuge from war and
turmoil
Members of the elite were
attracted to Chan Buddhism
(known as Zen) in West
Empress Wu supported
Buddhism
Emperor Wuzong suppressed
and Buddhism in mid-9th century
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Buddhism survived, but in a
reduced state
Tang Decline and Rise of the
Song
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Emperor Xuanzong
(shyahn zawng)
marks highpoint of the
Tang
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Yang Guifei was his
famous lover
In 755 revolts became
widespread, showing
discontent with rule
Nomadic incursions
occurred regularly
Founding of the Song
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In 960, Zhao Kuangyin
defeated most rivals
after Xuanzong’s death
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Zhao could not conquer
Liao Dynasty in the
north
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Founded the Song
dynasty
Liao was founded in 907
by the Khitan, a nomadic
people from Manchuria
Smaller in territory
compared to the Tang
Song Politics and Confucian
Revival
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The Song favored scholar-gentry at expense of military
Song empire was never as formidable as the Tang
Tang supports the building of monasteries in China where the
monks could meditate and worship.
Confucian ideals were emphasized
Zu Xi (Ju She) and the neo-Confucians revived ancient
Confucian teachings
 Neo-Confucian thinking had great impact on all dynasties
following the Song. It taught that life in this world was just as
important as the afterlife. Followers were expected to take part
in life and help others.
Confucianism remains the central ideology until the 20th century and
will later spread to Japan.
Government
 Government
Schools
 Open to anyone of
ability
 Allowed others a chance at office
holding
 Paid Mongols and others in silk
and other goods as a way to
pacify would be attackers
 Issued
Government
paper currency credited
growth of commerce
 Civil Service recruited for higher posts
from educated who passed three
levels of imperial examinations
 Personal Property assessed for
Taxation
 Trained Militia and supplied with Arms
 Strengthen Loyalty and Quality of
Army
Technology
 Cast
iron
 Crossbow
 Gunpowder,
 Compass
 Porcelain
 Coal
as fuel
 Waterwheels
 Paper Currency
 Wheelbarrow
 Wallpaper
Technology
 Improved
Farming
Techniques –
Irrigation,
fertilization,
metal tools
and protomachines
 Ships
with
water-tight
compartments
 Waterwheels
 Incline Planes
 Canal Locks
 Gunpowder
 Mortars
Decline of the Song
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Signs of the Song’s
decline:
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Tangut people’s
kingdom of Xi Xia in
the 11th century
Cost of the military
Wang Anshi’s
reform failures
Decline of the Song (cont)
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In 1115, the Jurchens
(nomads) overthrew the
Liao dynasty
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Established the Jin
Kingdom north of the
Song empire
Forced the Song to flee
south
Southern Song is
formed
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Culturally radiant and
artistic
Fell to the Mongols
Song Dynasties
Tang and Song Prosperity
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Yangdi’s Grand Canal
linked centers of Chinese
civilization
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Made it possible to transport
grain and food
Tang conquests led to
increased trade and
contact
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Overseas contact made in
junks (Chinese boats)
Urban centers grew
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“Flying money” introduced
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More people living in cities
than any other civilization
Credit vouchers
Other innovations:
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Coal, gunpowder, complex
bridges, abacus
Agrarian Expansion of the Tang
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Movement of population south led to:
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Agricultural improvements
Agricultural expansion
Land reform
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Aided peasant quality of life
Why?
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Southern China was/is more fertile
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Due to fertile valleys of the Yangtze and other river
systems
Family and Society in the
Tang/Song
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Women remained
clearly subordinate to
men
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Women in upper classes
had increased
opportunities
Neo-Confucian scholars
stressed male
dominance
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Men were allowed to
have concubines
Some women forced into
foot-binding
Scholarly and Artistic
Achievement
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Tan and Song eras are
remembered as a time
of remarkable Chinese
accomplishments
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Science
Technology
Literature
Fine Arts
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Landscape paintings made
famous
Li Bo’s poetry is a good
example of everyday
themes intellectuals
prized
Review:
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What was the dynasty that immediately
followed the Qin-Han?
Who started the Sui dynasty?
What led to the downfall of the Sui?
Review (cont)
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Who founded the Tang Dynasty?
Who did Pure Land Buddhism appeal to
(what class)?
Who founded the Song dynasty?
Which was larger in territory, the Tang or
Song?
Review (cont)
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What caused the Song dynasty to move or
flee south?
Define foot binding – what did it mean for
Chinese women?
What were some technological inventions
of the Tang-Song era?
Who caused the Southern Song to fall?