Chapter 20-3 Ancient China The Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties

The Big Idea The Tang and Song dynasties were periods of economic, cultural, and technological accomplishments.

Main Ideas After the Han dynasty, China fell into disorder but was reunified by new dynasties. Cities and trade grew during the Tang and Song dynasties. The Tang and Song dynasties produced fine arts and inventions. Historians sometimes call the time of disorder that followed the collapse of the Han dynasty the Period of Disunion. The Period of Disunion lasted from 220 to 589. War was common during the Period of Disunion.

The Sui Dynasty Yang Jian unified China and created the Sui dynasty. Lasted from 589 to 618 Leaders began the Grand Canal, a canal linking northern and southern China.

The Tang Dynasty Ruled for nearly 300 years China grew to include much of eastern and central Asia. Seen as a golden age Included the only woman to rule China—Empress Wu

The Song Dynasty Entered a period of disorder—called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms China was reunified by the Song dynasty. Ruled for about 300 years Witnessed a period of great achievements

City Life China’s capital and largest city of the Tang dynasty was Chang’an. People from China, Korea, Persia, Arabia, and Europe lived in Chang’an. Chang’an was known as a religious and philosophical center. Cities continued to grow under the Song. The Song capital, Kaifeng, had about a million people.

Trade in China & Beyond The Grand Canal carried trade goods and moved crops into the cities. Under the Tang, trade centered around land routes. Exports included tea, rice, spices, jade, and most importantly, silk. Imports included foods, plants, wool, glass, and precious metals. Under the Song, sea trade became important. Porcelain became an important trade good

Art The artists and writers of the Tang dynasty were some of China’s greatest. Artists of both the Tang and Song dynasties made exquisite objects in clay. Song artists made porcelain items covered in a pale green glaze called celadon.

Inventions The Tang and Song dynasties produced some of the most remarkable—and important—inventions in human history. Gunpowder Porcelain Paper money

Influence of Confucianism Confucius’s ideas were spread by his followers after his death. The Qin dynasty officially suppressed Confucian ideas and teachings. The Han dynasty made Confucianism the official state philosophy. Buddhism overshadowed Confucianism during the Period of Disorder. Buddhism was also very popular during the Sui and early Tang dynasties. In the late Tang dynasty, many Chinese historians and scholars again became interested in the teachings of Confucius.