CHINA: 400-1500 CE Section of the Great Wall in Beijing, China, April 19, 2005. [© AP Images]

The Han Dynasty ended in 220 CE (due to corruption and civil unrest)

Sui Dynasty (581 - 618 CE) In 581, after 300 years, the Sui Dynasty restored order. Accomplishments: Reunited China Grand Canal, linking the Huang He (Yellow) and the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) Rivers. Emperor Sui Yangdi: Cruel High taxes Extravagant in Spending Military failures Rebellion & Assassination in 618

Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 CE) Gave land to peasants Restored civil service examination Confucian principles Expanded borders to Tibet Korea offered tribute Silk Road Revived Block printing (communication) Empress Wu Zhao (690 CE) China’s first and only female empress Ruthless, but effective In 755: Bloody Civil War due to abuse of power In 907: Dynasty collapses due to civil unrest Empire had even hired “Uighurs” outside group to fight for the dynasty

Song Dynasty (920 - CE) Quelled rebellions, restored order. Invention of gunpowder and fire lance. Use of steel & cotton Silk Road Revival continued Exports: tea, silk, and porcelain Imports: exotic woods, precious stones, tropical fruits Moved capital south to Hangzhou Due to threats from the north Formed a defensive alliance with the Mongols It didn’t last

The Mongols – Genghis Khan Mongols: people from area north of China (modern day: Mongolia) Genghis Khan: born “Temujin” around 1162 His father was chief of minor clan Father poisoned, difficult upbringing Various conquests in effort to avenge father’s death Legend grew In 1206, elected “Genghis Khan” (strong ruler) at massive Mongol meeting Conquered much of Asia & central Europe Amassed largest land empire in history Set up capital city at Karakorum (Mongolia) Died in 1227 Official court painting of Genghis Khan, now held at National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan

The Mongols Conquer China Kublai Khan After Genghis Kahn’s death, the empire split in to several territories called khanates. In the 1260s, Mongol forces attacked the Song Dynasty in China. They learned about the use of gunpowder and the fire lance. By the end of the13th century, more effective guns in use. By the end of the 14th century, firearms had spread to Europe.

The Mongols – Kubla Khan Kublai Khan Grandson of Genghis Khan In 1279, completed conquest of China Established the Yuan (or Mongol) dynasty Establish capital at Khanbalik (Beijing) Continued to expand the empire Vietnam Attempted to conquer Java, Sumatra and Japan, but failed. Kublai Khan

The Yuan Dynasty (Mongols) Mongols held highest positions Brought prosperity to China Built Khanbalik into magnificent city Collapsed due to corruption, overspending, internal instability. Overthrown by Zhu Yuanzhang, who established the Ming Dynasty. Kublai Khan

Chinese Society Primarily agricultural Manufacturing/Technology grew Marco Polo (traveler/merchant) described Hangzhou as the “finest and most splendid city in the world.” Entertainment: playing cards, chess from India), horseback riding Scholarly-gentry: landowners who became the political and economic elite. Females considered less valuable Practice of foot binding (Song) Crippled women But more education Inheritance if no male heir

Religion Buddhism Brought from India Grew after collapse of Han dynasty Considered a “foreign” religion Lost favor due to corruption by acquiring too much land and power Late Tang dynasty: Government destroyed temples “Material world just an illusion” conflicted with Confucianism’s devotion to family and hard work Neo-Confucianism: Confucian’s response to Buddhism and Daoism. Material world and spiritual world. Goal is to observe moral principals to reach union with Supreme Ultimate.

Culture Development of Printing (7th century: woodblock; 11th century: movable type) Poetry: 48,000 poems written during Tang dynasty. Li Bo: free-spirit, nature poems Du Fu: serious Confucian Painting and Ceramics: Paintings in Daoism -humans depicted as small, insignificant in midst of nature. Porcelain: ceramic made of fine clay baked at very high temperature. The Diamond Sutra - A Chinese Block Printed Book (868 CE)