1. Chinese Civilization: Tang & Song Dynasties

2. Sui-Tang Era Fall of the Han dynasty = 589 CE
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
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.

3. Sui-Tang Cont Li Yuan followed Yangdi Founder of the Tang Dynasty
Expanded China’s boundaries
Set new capital at Changan

5. 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

6. Buddhism in the Tang Era
Buddhism experienced resurgence
Mahayana Buddhism won many conversions
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
Buddhism survived, but in a reduced state

7. Tang Decline and Rise of the Song
Emperor Xuanzong (shyahn zawng) marks highpoint of the Tang
Yang Guifei was his famous lover
In 755 revolts became widespread, showing discontent with rule
Nomadic incursions occurred regularly

8. Founding of the Song
In 960, Zhao Kuangyin defeated most rivals after Xuanzong’s death
Founded the Song dynasty
Zhao could not conquer Liao Dynasty in the north
Liao was founded in 907 by the Khitan, a nomadic people from Manchuria
Smaller in territory compared to the Tang

9. Song Politics and Confucian Revival
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.

10. 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

11. Government Issued 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

12. Cast iron Crossbow Gunpowder, Compass Porcelain Coal as fuel
Technology
Cast iron
Crossbow
Gunpowder,
Compass
Porcelain
Coal as fuel
Waterwheels
Paper Currency
Wheelbarrow
Wallpaper

13. Technology Ships with water-tight compartments
Waterwheels
Incline Planes
Canal Locks
Gunpowder
Mortars
Improved Farming Techniques – Irrigation, fertilization, metal tools and proto-machines

14. Decline of the Song Signs of the Song’s decline:
Tangut people’s kingdom of Xi Xia in the 11th century
Cost of the military
Wang Anshi’s reform failures

15. Decline of the Song (cont)
In 1115, the Jurchens (nomads) overthrew the Liao dynasty
Established the Jin Kingdom north of the Song empire
Forced the Song to flee south
Southern Song is formed
Culturally radiant and artistic
Fell to the Mongols

16. Song Dynasties

17. Tang and Song Prosperity
Yangdi’s Grand Canal linked centers of Chinese civilization
Made it possible to transport grain and food
Tang conquests led to increased trade and contact
Overseas contact made in junks (Chinese boats)
Urban centers grew
More people living in cities than any other civilization
“Flying money” introduced
Credit vouchers
Other innovations:
Coal, gunpowder, complex bridges, abacus

18. Agrarian Expansion of the Tang
Movement of population south led to:
Agricultural improvements
Agricultural expansion
Land reform
Aided peasant quality of life
Why?
Southern China was/is more fertile
Due to fertile valleys of the Yangtze and other river systems

19. Family and Society in the Tang/Song
Women remained clearly subordinate to men
Women in upper classes had increased opportunities
Neo-Confucian scholars stressed male dominance
Men were allowed to have concubines
Some women forced into foot-binding

20. Scholarly and Artistic Achievement
Tan and Song eras are remembered as a time of remarkable Chinese accomplishments
Science
Technology
Literature
Fine Arts
Landscape paintings made famous
Li Bo’s poetry is a good example of everyday themes intellectuals prized

21. Review: What was the dynasty that immediately followed the Qin-Han?
Who started the Sui dynasty?
What led to the downfall of the Sui?

22. Review (cont) 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?

23. Review (cont) 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?