Tang & Song China Golden Ages

Two Great Dynasties in China During the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, China becomes the richest, most powerful, and most advanced country in the world.

Why it Matters Now: Chinese inventions from this period, such as printing, gunpowder, and the compass, changed history. Main Idea: Tang and Song China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.

The Tang Dynasty World View: The Song Dynasty World View: west along the Silk Road looks east towards the sea

Trade/Foreign Contacts Silk Road west; Tang Dynasty

Trade/Foreign Contacts Silk Road  west; Tang Dynasty ocean ships  east, Song Dynasty Korea Japan India Persian Gulf east Africa

Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam called “Champa Rice”

Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam - Champa allowed two crops each season instead of one

Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam - Champa allowed two crops each season instead of one fueled population increase

Civil Service Exam  Starting in the Sui Dynasty (pre-Tang), it became possible to become a government official by taking and passing a series of written exams.  During Song, this became the norm

Civil Service Exam Goal: literate officials vs military officials Crated a class of scholar-officials  Confucian education encouraged government service

Science and Technology mathematics flourished

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero and negative numbers

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero and negative numbers invented movable type

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero and negative numbers invented movable type developed gunpowder

Toilet Paper Although developed around 600 CE, it was only available at first to nobility and the elites. During the Tang Dynasty it became widespread. How different the world and your lives would be without it!

Porcelain Commonly now preferred to as “China”. Made of special white clay found only in China.

Mechanical Clock Early 700s Chinese developed clocks run by water that kept accurate time. Technology and concept of mechanical clock found its way to Europe where it was improved upon.

Printing In 700s block printing was invented in which entire sheet was carved on a single block of wood and whole page was printed. In 1000s moveable type printing invented in which individual characters could be moved around and reused.

Gunpowder Invented in 800s as an immortality potion Used 1st in fireworks & then rockets & guns

Gunpowder took about 300 years to reach Europe Uses of Gunpowder Fireworks Weapons Gunpowder took about 300 years to reach Europe First used as a weapon against the Mongols as a simple gun that took 2 people to shoot

Song Dynasty first in world to adopt paper currency instead of coin. Paper Money Song Dynasty first in world to adopt paper currency instead of coin.

Magnetic Compass Adapted for Navigation Magnetic compass had existed for centuries, but Song Dynasty began to use it to guide their fleets. Allowed ships to move far from land and travel further safely.

Tang & Song Inventions

Golden Age of Art Wealth, education and urban culture = artistic achievement Great poetry Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty

The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared Tang Only Song Only Both Expanded the empire, had a female ruler, adopted Buddhism Prospered through trade, improved agriculture, created great technological advances Ruled smaller empire, developed into great sea power, reinstituted Confucianism

Yuan Dynasty (Mongol) 1279-1368 CE

Religion and Culture The Mongols were different than the Chinese – They spoke a different language, worshipped different gods, wore different clothing and had different customs – The Chinese thought the Mongols were rude and uncivilized. Mongols tolerated Chinese traditions and philosophies. Many adopted Chinese ways. 

Technology and Achievements With taxes collected from the Chinese, they built new roads and palaces Created a postal system. Built new capital, Dadu.

Government and Unification 1211: Genghis Khan Organized a fierce army and started to attack China in the north 1279: Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) declared himself Emperor of China. They heavily taxed the Chinese but allowed them to keep their own belief systems.

Trade Mongols traded by sea and by  land which, increased contact with the West. The military protected overland trade routes, which made it safer for foreign traders.