Transcript gentry
Setting the Stage Han Dynasty collapsed in 220 C.E. China struggled to be unified and more than 30 local dynasties rose and fell. Sui Wendi – first emperor of the Sui dynasty. Unites Northern and Southern China once again. Strong Central Government. Hey! Hey! It is known as the Golden Age!!!! - Rich, powerful, and most advanced country during its time. Sui Wendi Sui dynasty (589-618): Lasted only two emperors. Greatest Accomplishment – Grand Canal. - Water way connected Huang He (Yellow River) and the Yangtze River. 5 years – 1,000 miles Thousands died build the canal and rebuilding the great wall. 618 – revolt and second emperor strangled by member of the imperial court. Tang Dynasty Ruled nearly 300 years (618 – 907). Tang Taizong reign lasted 627 – 649. - Reconquered Northern and Western lands that China lost under the Han dynasty. 668- Reigned over Korea. Empress Wu Zhao had real power from 660 to 690 during a succession of weak emperors. 690 – Wu Zhao took the title of Emperor for herself. Only woman to ever do so in China. Tang Rulers Strengthened the central government of China. Expanded network of roads and canals begun by the Sui. Lowered taxes (remembered mistake of Sui Emperor) Took some land from the wealthy and gave to peasants. Promoted foreign trade and improvements in agriculture. Scholar-Officials Tang needed to manage vast empire – restored China’s bureaucracy. Civil Service Exam by the Han restored and expanded to recruit good officials. - Schools opened to train young scholars in Confucianism, poetry, and other subjects that covered the exam. Only a few passed. Exam open to all. Scholar-Officials Civil Service Exam – Talent and education became more important than noble birth in winning power. - Many moderately wealthy families shared in China’s government. Tang Loses power Mid- 700s: To pay for military expansion raised crushing taxes. - Brought on hardships to people and still could not pay for the rising cost of government. Famine – Peasants joined bandit gangs. Empire to vast – could not control it. 751 – Arab armies soundly defeated Chinese on China’s western frontier at the Battle of Talas. Chinese lost control of Central Asia. Foreign and internal attacks weakened power. 907- Chinese rebels sacked and burned the Tang capital at Chang’and killed the child emperor. Song Dynasty restores China End of the Tang Dynasty rival warlords split China into kingdoms. 960 – General reunited China proclaimed himself Song Taizu – First Song (Sung) emperor. Lasted 960 – 1279. Ruled smaller empire than Han and Tang, China remained stable, powerful, and prosperous. Song Dynasty Song armies never regained the western lands lost after 751 or the Northern lands. Tried to buy peace with their Northern enemies. - Annual tribute of Silver, Silk, and Tea. 1100s – Jurchen conquered Northern China and established Jin empire. Song forced to retreat south across the Huang He. 1126 – Song emperors ruled only Southern China. Quick Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO7NHZJeE4&list=CLqr7xzEodC74 Era of prosperity and Innovation Period of Tang and Song dynasties was one of intense growth. - Population, trade, wealth, new ideas, and artistic achievements. - Population grew to 100,000,000 by the Song era. 10 cities – 1 million in population each. Science and Technology Important inventions: Movable type and gunpowder. What is the movable type? A printer could arrange blocks of individual characters in a frame to make up a page for printing Gunpowder Led to bombs, grenades, small rockets, and cannons. Other inventions: - Porcelain, the mechanical watch, paper money, and use of the magnetic compass for sailing. 1000-1200: - Developed Algebra and began using Zero. Agriculture 1000: imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam. - Harvest two rice crops a year. Foreign Trade Tang dynasty: guarded the silk road - Eventually lost control of the trade route. Song Period: Turned to sea trade Goods sent to Korea, Japan, Africa, and other colonies. Chinese became tea drinkers and religions such as Islam and Christianity spread through the country. Levels of Society Tang and Song: Old aristocratic families faded and much larger upper class emerged. - Scholar officials and other well to do people were called the gentry. Middle class: merchants, shopkeepers, skilled artisans, minor officials. Bottom: Laborers, soldiers, and servants. Largest class:……….Peasants. Status of Women Woman’s work was deemed less important to the family’s prosperity and status – Upper Class. Foot binding: A young girl would have feet bound very tight with cloth. - Broke the arch and would form a “lily-foot” - It would cripple women but showed a high status. Peasant women worked in the fields and helped produce an income. I always say put your best foot forward