The Tang and Song Empires The Resurgence of Empire in East Asia
After the Han Period of the Six Dynasties 220-589 CE Landed families Rule by non-Chinese nomads Buddhism Econ., Technological, Urban decline
The Sui (589-618) The Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule in China Est. by Wendi (won support by lowering taxes and est. granaries) Government based on Confucianism and Buddhism Yangdi: The Grand Canal- transportation system that linked the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers Fast Decline: spent too much money/ unsuccessful wars
The Tang (618- 907) Government Structure: Empire/Emperor Avoided over centralization- gave local nobles, officials and religious power Capital- Chang’an- cosmopolitan; foreigners resided there Tributary System- independent countries recognize Chinese emperor as supreme
The Tang Culture Buddhism Descendants of Turkic elites- continued Turkic influence which can be seen in pottery and warfare strategies Confucian traditions- civil service exam Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism dominated Legitimized rulers- kings bring subjects into a Buddhist realm Buddhism- spread through Central and East Asia through the trade routes
The Buddhist Backlash 9thc broke power of Buddhist monasteries Buddhism seen as undermining the family system and as eroding the tax base 1000’s were monks and nuns Tax free land Encouraged women to partake in politics Buddhism became associated with the evils of society and with foreigners
The Tang Trade Decline Roads, river transport and canals growth in trade Exported far more than it imported Most desired products: porcelain and silk Decline With expansion came reliance on provincial military governors Internal rebellions
The Song Dynasty (960-1279) After the fall of the Tang a major state to emerge was the Chinese Song
Founder of the Song Dynasty T'ai Tsu
The Song Government: Moveable type Emperor Civil Service Exam (Confucianism) Broke domination of the hereditary aristocracy Govt service based on merit Moveable type Mass- produce examination texts Spread info. on new agr. technology increase production increase population
The Song Neo-Confucianism Reaction to popularity of Buddhism/Daoism Human nature is moral, rational, and essentially good Emphasized individual moral and social responsibility Ideal person= sage (person with mental serenity who could deal with social ills)
The Song Economy Women Interregional credit system “flying money” Govt issued paper money Women Subordinate to men Could not own property Remarriage forbidden Foot binding- forced toes under towards the heel status symbol
Perfect Bound Foot was 3 inches long “Golden Lotus”
Bound feet had to be washed and cared for daily. If toe nails grew into the instep, infection could set in. If the bindings were too tight, gangrene and blood poisoning could occur. The bound foot was painful and tender forever. It often had an unpleasant smell.
Decline Military weakness on northern border had to pay tribute to the Liao Dynasty in order to prevent raids Tangut from Tibet also another threat pay tribute Cost of maintaining a large army drained resources and put burden on peasants Jurchens est. a kingdom in 1125 and invaded China Song fled and est. a smaller kingdom (Southern Song) 1127-1279