Tang & Song China Golden Ages

Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule After the Han Dynasty, several regional kingdoms made bids to assert their authority over all of China, but none possessed the resources necessary to dominate their rivals for the long term In the late sixth century, Yang Jian was able to reestablish centralized rule He was succeeded by the Tang and then Song Dynasties which organized Chinese society so effectively that China became a center of exceptional agricultural and industrial production that influenced much of the eastern hemisphere

Two Great Dynasties in China During the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, China becomes the richest, 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

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

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

Science and Technology mathematics flourished

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

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

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

Inventions of Tang and Song China

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty. Many figurines, predominantly horses and camels, were produced.

Most of these pieces have been found in the more affluent tombs of the Tang period

The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared Tang Only Song Only Both Ruled smaller empire, developed into great sea power, created paper money and movable type Expanded the empire, had a female ruler, adopted Buddhism Prospered through trade, improved agriculture, created great art and literature

Tang and Song, the big picture… Chinese achievements & belief systems spread to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam along established trade routes For centuries, China was the dominant culture in East Asia Chinese achievements spread to European culture during the Middle Ages