1. The Tang and Song Dynasties of China

2. China experienced a similar dark age as Europe had experienced after the fall of Rome
This time is known as the Six Dynasties
China emerged from this dark period to become one of the world’s leading civilizations under the Tang Dynasty
Conquered Korea and Manchuria

3. Tang Dynasty (618-907) The “Golden Age” of China
Used their military to suppress peasant uprisings and to reunited China
Empire had around 50 million people
Expanded trade on the Silk Road with Persia, Arabia, Japan and the Byzantine Empire

4. Tang Dynasty ( )
Reintroduced a civil service system to find candidates for government office
People took test to determine what position they could hold in public office
Government built roads and public works projects

5. Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty arose after the fall of the Tang Dynasty
It was smaller then the Tang Empire
They expanded on the achievements of the Tang Dynasty

6. Song Dynasty 960-1279 First people to use paper currency (money)
Used coins made of copper and iron

7. Song Dynasty (960-1279) Eliminated forced labor
Very large increase in farm production which led to greater wealth for China and it’s people

8. Song Dynasty (960-1279) Inventions in Science and Technology
The Compass
Discovered that a magnetized needle floating in water will always point north
Moveable type of printing
Able to print at a faster rate
Gunpowder
First to use gunpowder in combat

9. The Mongol Empire

10. The Mongol Empire Central Asia
Steppes- Treeless grasslands that stretch from Eastern Europe to Northeast Asia

11. The Mongol Empire
Nomadic people (roamed the grasslands without a permanent home)
Developed excellent horsemanship and fierce fighting skills (archery)
Lived in yurts- domed tents that could be easily moved

12. The Mongol Empire
Like most nomads they were divided in several loosely organized tribes
Ghengis Khan united the tribes around 1206
Khan began a career of conquest by attacking neighboring people beyond Mongolia

13. The Mongol Empire
They faced very little resistance from outside forces
200,000+ skilled Mongol horsemen
They had sturdy stirrups, strong bamboo bows and giant catapults
Known for their fierce brutality, sometimes killing all defenders of a city if they refused to surrender

14. The Mongol Empire Ghengis Khan was:
Tolerant of other religions within the territories he conquered
Promoted trade throughout the Mongol Empire
Ordered the creation of a written Mongol language
Leader of the largest empire the world had ever seen
Stretched from the Black Sea in Europe to the Pacific Ocean

15. The Mongol Empire
Pax Mongolia: People could safely travel and trade from one end of the empire to the other
The empire was so large it was divided into 4 separate kingdoms that were each ruled by Khan’s descendants

16. The Mongol Empire: The Yuan Dynasty
Kublai Khan: Genghis Khan’s grandson
Born a Mongolian but was fascinated with Chinese Culture
Reunited Northern and Southern China and encouraged Mongols to adapt Chinese ways

17. The Mongol Empire: Marco Polo
Merchant from Venice
Journeyed along the Silk Road and visited China in the 1270’s
He was astounded by Kublai Khan and the Mongol’s technological superiority over Europeans (used of gun powder and burning coal for heat)

18. The Mongol Empire: Influence on Russia
13th century Mongol warriors conquered most of Russia
Controlled it for nearly 200 years
1480: Ivan the Great declared Russia independent from Mongol Rule

19. Mongol Empire: Notes
Central Asia saw the rise of nomadic peoples who excelled at horsemanship and fighting skills
During 1200, the Mongols of Central Asia established the world’s largest empire
Ghengis Khan united Mongols and attacked China: promoted trade
Kublai Khan: established the Yuan Dynasty in China and visited with Marco Polo

20. Japan Very mountainous Protected by seas from foreign influences
Early history
Religion was important
Believed in Gods and spirits called Kami
Called Shinto Religion
Emperors

21. Modeled after Tang
Art
Science
Government
Fashion

22. Feudal Japan Emperor was at top of chain Shogun Controversy
Shoguns- Served emperor; Japanese ruling class
Struggle for power, Ashikaga claimed authority for Shoguns
Daimyo – local warlord, ranked below shogun
Samurai – warrior class, served daimyo
Peasants were lowest class

24. Korea
Korea’s history
Bridge from eastern Asia to neighboring island chains
Three kingdoms emerged in opposition to Chinese rule
Korea was unified under the Silla Dynasty
The growth of Korean culture
Reflected many elements of Chinese culture
Written language, Buddhism, civil service exams, dynasties

25. Southeast Asia Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Vietnam influenced by China
Mahayana Buddhism
Other nations adopted both Chinese and Indian traditions
Theraveda Buddhism
Written languages - Sanskrit
Architecture – Angkor Wat in Cambodia