Period of Disunion 220 – 589: After the fall of the Han Dynasty China split into rival kingdoms This period was filled with war Many nomadic people settled in Northern China The culture was mixed and not unified

Sui Dynasty 581-618 CE

Religion and Culture 1. Buddhism spread from traders and monks who traveled the Silk Road from India. 2. It was welcomed as a way to escape suffering from earlier disunion. (pg.169) 3. Many wealthy people gave money to Buddhist temples which were architectural wonders. They housed huge statues of Buddha.  

Technology and Achievements 1. The Grand Canal: 600 miles that linked northern and southern China. Used to transport rice to northern cities and armies. (pg.167) 2. Rebuilt the Great Wall to protect from northern invaders.  

Government and Unification 1. Emperor Yang Jian unified China. He restored order after the Period of Disunion.  

Trade 1. The Grand Canal made trade of food and culture possible and easier from north to south.

Tang Dynasty 618-907 CE

Religion and Culture 1. Late in the Tang Dynasty, Confucian thought became popular. It taught a code of behavior based on respect.

Technology and Achievements 1. Expanded and improved Grand Canal 2. Great artists painted murals celebrating Buddhism. 3. Sculpture and poetry also became popular.  

Government and Unification Empress Wu: Ruled with an iron fist in order to unify China and prevent disunion.  

Trade Began to trade overland with foreigners. Trade with India in the west, and Korea and Japan in the east. Products included silk, rice spices, tea, and jade.

Another period of disunion! Chaos and disunion occurred as different kingdoms competed for power Lasted 53 years

Song Dynasty 960-1279

Religion and Culture Confucius had lived1500 years earlier; Confucianism had a resurgence during the Song period. (pg.177) Confucius taught that people should have respect for others (family, government and education) and follow appropriate customs and beliefs (proper behavior). (pg.178)  

Technology and Achievements Dragon’s backbone pump: scooped water from one place in order to dump in canal for crop irrigation. (pg.170) Fast-ripening rice increased food production. (pg.171)  

Government and Unification A merit system for government jobs - People became government officials by passing civil service examinations. If the examination was passed they became very respected scholar officials and worked for the government bureaucracy.

Trade Porcelain (China) was invented and traded with foreigners. As with silk, they protected this knowledge to ensure their control of the porcelain trade.

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. (pg.181) Mongols tolerated (accepted) Chinese traditions and philosophies. Many adopted Chinese ways. (pg.182)  

Technology and Achievements With taxes collected from the Chinese, they built new roads and palaces (pg.182) Created a postal system. Built new capital, Dadu. (pg.182)

Government and Unification 1211: Genghis Khan Organized a fierce army and started to attack China in the north (pg.180) 1279: Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) declared himself Emperor of China. (pg.187) They heavily taxed the Chinese but allowed them to keep their own belief systems. (pg.182)

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. Marco Polo: Italian merchant who served under Kublai Khan’s court. He determined that China was highly civilized. And wrote a boo about it.

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 CE

Religion and Culture Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism are still important influences in China today.

Technology and Achievements They built the Forbidden City in Beijing. It had 9,000 rooms and government buildings. Only the upper class could go in. (pg.184) Restoration of the Great Wall – Expanded to over 2,000 miles long! (pg.185)

Government and Unification They expelled (kicked out) the Mongols. Emperors became more powerful. Civil service system is used (had to pass examinations to become scholar officials). (pg.186) 

Trade Sailor Zheng He: led many grand voyages all over Asia and Africa. He returned with representatives from over 30 nations to honor the Chinese king. (183) Isolationism: Ming emperors concluded the West has little to offer so they restricted trade and other interactions. (186)  China avoided outside contact and fell behind other countries in technology and military power. (pg.186)