Transcript chapter10
10 The Flowering of Traditional China China after the Han (220-581) Beginning in 200s CE. China fell into 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 Reunified: The Sui, the Tang, and the Song The Sui (581-618) Yang Jian (Yang Chien), reign name Sui Wendi *capital was Chang’an • Turned to Daoism and Buddhism • Builder as well as a conqueror, began the construction of the Grand Canal Sui Yangdi (Sui Yang Ti), son of Yang Jian • Completed the 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 for his tyrannical rule ©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 (a general of Sui Yangdi) established a new dynasty (Tang) after the murder of the last Sui Tang Taizong (T’ang T’ai-tsung)-second emperor Expanded to northwest (Xinjiang) and Tibet, influnced over much of East Asia, including Japan Cultural growth – poetry and sculpture Spread of Buddhism-Buddhist monks advised the emperors Chang’an possibly greatest city on earth, population 2 million Internal problems during the Tang dynasty-Xuanzong (Hsuan Tsung), great emperor, but dominated by Yang Guifei (concubine), rebellion which weakened the Tang rule Border problems with northern nomads-Khitan and the end The Song (Sung) (960-1279) Song Taizu (Sung T’ai-tsu); founder Weaker than the Tang Problems with nomads; moved the capital to Kaifengfurther east, later south to Hangzhou Economic expansion and cultural growth, population 40 million, more than population of Europe Song allied with Mongols to defeat Jurchen of Manchuria-fatal decision Mongols defeat the Song and establish the Yuan Dynasty in 1279 ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. 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Statues of traitors to Song dynasty in Hangzhou Political Structures-Triumph of Confucianism Equal Opportunity in China: The Civil Service Examination Grand Council was the Apex of the government bureaucracy Civil Service Examination was the primary route to an official career Song examination system – based only on Confucianism • Three levels • Qualifying exams – if passed given positions at the local level • Second exam, given at capital every three years, official positions given • Final exam-given at imperial palace, given every three years, high positions in central bureaucracy • Problems with the civil service system-poor had little chance to succeed; most came from “Scholar gentry” class Local Government District governed by a magistrate Village governed by council of elders Economy and Society Still largely agricultural, urban becoming increasingly important Tang reduced power of the nobility for short period Equal field system-gave land to farmers for life in return of annual tax payment and three weeks of conscript labor Then tried to control through taxes Urban economy saw significant increase in trade and manufacturing *blast furnace steel, cotton, gunpowder (reached the West via Arabs) Ocean Trade and the Silk Road The Silk Road reached its zenith under the Tang, more private commerce than previously in international trade Credit or “Flying money”- paper currency rather than coins Long distance trade overland and by sea Silk Road – hazardous-bandits and weather Development of sea trade-invention of compass aided this, major port Canton Innovations in ship building-sternpost rudder and lug sail Products of trade-tea,silk, porcelain Society in Traditional China Growth and development of cities Rise of the Gentry-rising land-owning class, highly educated Peasants and village life-family and village basic unit of society Family unit-three generations lived under one roof Male superiority- eldest male ruled as autocrat Children expected to obey parents; daughters lived home until married-families preferred to have sons Women Tradition of male superiority continued, re-enforced by NeoConfucianism New Customs New form of dowry – bride’s parents pay the groom’s family a dowry Introduction of bound feet-carried out on girls age 5-13, very painful; eventually became illegal, practice lasted into twentieth century • Reduced the feet to half normal size • Represented ideal qualities of female-submissiveness and selfdiscipline Exceptions of male superiority- Wu Zhao, (625?-706?), Empress Wu, was a concubine to Emperor Tang Taizong Ruled through her sons, but eventually declared herself Empress Wu ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Asia Under the Mongols 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 Less than 2 million population, with army of 130,000 Raided and conqurered from Mongolia to Eastern Europe to Persia Set up a capital at Karakorum (in Mongolia) Territory divided at his death into separate khanates Kublai Khan (1260-1294), Grandson of Genghis Khan Mongol Rule in China (Yuan dynasty)-conquered Song Adapted to the Chinese political system, although highest officials were Mongols Moved capitol to Khanbaliq (city of Khan), later known as Beijing Increase in prosperity due to “Pax Mongolica” across Asia and the extension of the Grand Canal Decline of Yuan-excessive military spending, inadequate taxes, corruption, and famine ©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-extended its rule into Mongolia, Central Asia, Vietnam Emperor Yongle (1402-1424) strengthened the Great Wall The Voyages of Zhenghe Reasons for voyages-world knowledge, participate in the vast trade network Results-gained profit and information about the outside world An Inward Turn New focus on domestic issues and an end of voyages of exploration (after the death of Yongle) 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), called for mind training and strict regimen to seek enlightenment • Pure Land-stressed the role of devotion • White Lotus-looking for a “savior Buddha” to save the world Problems faced by Buddhism and Daoism Buddhism was popular under Sui and early Tang • Official persecution-Later Tang dynasty, Buddhist monasteries and temples destroyed, and 100,000 monks returned to secular life. Denial of Confucian teachings-Buddhism ideals seem to contradict those of Confucian values of filial piety 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-philosopher Zhu Xi, claimed mind and universe was a single unit, knowledge was intuitive rather than empirical, and could be obtained though internal self-searching The Apogee of Chinese Culture Literature Paper (Han) and moveable type (Tang) Woodblock-used more than the movable type Poetry-reached its pinnacle between the Tang and Ming dynasties Popular culture-food and entertainment in the cities even at night under the Song • At fair-grounds through out the year, one could find comedians, musicians, wresters, acrobats, puppets, shadow plays, and storytellers The Chinese Novel- Romance of the Three Kingdoms were told orally and finally printed in 1321, China’s counterpart to the Mahabharata Tale of the Mashes-prose fiction, Chinese Robinhood Art Buddhism and Daoist painting and sculpture-best examples of paintings are Buddhist wall paintings in the caves at Dunhuang in central Asia Painting-full of color, reminiscent of styles in India and Persia Ceramics, notably porcelain Discussion Questions What were the successes and failures of the Tang dynasty? Describe the development of the Chinese civil service system. What were the advantages of the system? How did long distance trade develop in China? How did foot binding begin, and how did it fit into Chinese culture?