Sui Dynasty (A.D. 589-618)

How did this dynasty rise to power? In 589, Yang Jian conquered Chen kingdom and unified China for the first time in 400 years Chien founded Sui Dynasty at Changan and became emperor; was later called Wen Di

How did this dynasty govern China? Emperors Wen Di and Yang Di are remembered for harsh rule Forced many peasants to fight in army or to work on public works projects

What belief systems did this dynasty encourage? Discourage? Wen Di, though himself a Buddhist, encouraged practice of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism

How did this dynasty affect daily life in China? Grand Canal promoted domestic trade by connecting Yellow and Yangzi rivers Rebuilding of Great Wall provided security from northern raiders

Two ways this dynasty helped unite China Undertook extensive public works projects Extended military control over large stretches of China

Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907)

How did this dynasty rise to power? In 618, Li Shi Min captured Changan and Luoyang Li Shi Min made himself Emperor Dai Zong in 626

How did this dynasty govern China? Under Wu Zhao, China’s only empress, the Tang ruled one of the most geographically extensive empires in Chinese history Government composed of departments, each with its own area Bureaucrats upheld Confucian ideals by acting as artists and politicians

What belief systems did this dynasty encourage? Discourage? Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism flourished, though Buddhism was repressed during the reign of Emperor Wu Zong

How did this dynasty affect daily life in China? Equal-field system limited power or rural aristocracy Scholar class became new ruling elite Land reform gave some peasants a chance to gain wealth

Two ways this dynasty helped unite China Emperors directly controlled the army Equal-field system benefitted both government and commoners

Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1279)

How did this dynasty rise to power? Tai Zu emerged after 50 years of civil war to found Song dynasty at Kaifeng

How did this dynasty govern China? Mongolians and Manchurians harassed China’s northern borders for 200 years Government officials came from southern China because the north was under foreign rule Bureaucrats selected according to scores they obtained on a civil service exams

What belief systems did this dynasty encourage? Discourage? Chan (Zen) Buddhism became popular in China and East Asia

How did this dynasty affect daily life in China? Power of the merchant class rose as large scale trade thrived Cambodian strain of rice allowed Chinese farmers to double output Technological advances produced new products

Two ways this dynasty helped unite China Moved center of Chinese culture to Kaifeng Used meritocracy to make government efficient and reliable

Yuan Dynasty (A.D. 1260-1368)

How did this dynasty rise to power? Dynasty founded by Kublai Khan, grandson of powerful Mongol leader Gengis Khan Kublai Khan fought Song for 40 years before founding China’s only foreign-ruled dynasty

How did this dynasty govern China? Civil-service system maintained by staffed Turks and Persians Strict hierarchy of social service classes developed Tax-free Mongols Non-Chinese civil servants Northern Chinese Southern Chinese

What belief systems did this dynasty encourage? Discourage? Kublai Khan retained shamanism Chinese belief systems largely unaffected by Yuan rule Under Kublai Khan’s encouragement the number of Buddhist monasteries increased

How did this dynasty affect daily life in China? Yuan dynasty’s bloody wars of conquest led to the destruction of farmland Kublai Khan maintained China’s roads and canals, but later Yuan emperors let them deteriorate

Two ways this dynasty helped unite China Retained civil service, but staffed it with foreigners Allowed Chinese belief systems to coexist with Mongol shamanism

Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644)

How did this dynasty rise to power? Chinese took advantage of chaos of late Yuan rule to rebel against Mongols Rebel leader and founder of Ming Dynasty, Hong Wu, named his dynasty “brilliant”

How did this dynasty govern China? Reintroduced the Civil-Service Exam Emperors extremely powerful, often ruled as despots Briefs periods of overseas exploration although later Ming emperors prohibited foreign trade

What belief systems did this dynasty encourage? Discourage? Rebirth of adherence to Confucianism Many Chinese combined belief in Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism

How did this dynasty affect daily life in China? Rebuilt bridges, canals, roads, temples, shrines, and the walls of 500 cities Heavy taxation and careless government produced peasant rebellion and civil war

Two ways this dynasty helped unite China Secured borders of China to prevent foreign invasion Rebuilt bridges, canals, roads, temples and shrines