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

Sui Dynasty 581-618 CE

Religion and Culture 1.Buddhism spreads from traders and monks that traveled the silk road form India . 2. It was welcomed as a way to escape suffering from earlier disunion. (169) 3. Many wealthy give money to Buddhist temples which are architectural wonders. They house huge statues of Buddha.  

Technology and Achievements The Grand Canal-600 miles that linked Northern and Southern China– transports rice to northern cities and armies. (167) 2. Rebuild Great Wall to protect from Northern invaders.  

Government and Unification Emperor Yang Jian unifies China He restored order after the “Period of Disunion”  

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

Tang Dynasty 618-907 CE

Religion and Culture Late in the Tang dynasty Confucian thought becomes popular. It teaches a code of behavior. See Song for more info.

Technology and Achievements Expanded and Improved Gran Canal Great artists paint murals celebrating Buddhism and sculpt , poetry also become popular  

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

Trade Begin to trade overland with foreigners In the west the trade with India and Korea and Japan in the east. They trade silk, rice spices, tea and jade.

Another Period of Disunion Chaos and disorder as separate kingdoms competed for power. Lasted 53 years.

Song Dynasty 960-1279

Religion and Culture Confucius was around 1500 years earlier but, Confucianism has a resurgence in the Song period. (177) Confucius teaches that you should have respect for others (family, government and education) and follow appropriate customs and beliefs (behavior based) (178)  

Technology and Achievements 1.Dragonbone pump– scoops water from one place in order t o dump in canal– crop irrigation (170) 2. Rice grows plentiful in south and wheat and barley in the north (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 become very respected “scholarly officials” that work for the government bureaucracy.

Trade Porcelain is invented and traded with foreigners. Like with silk, they protect this knowledge to ensure their ability to trade with foreigners.  

Yuan Dynasty (Mongols) 1279-1368 CE

Religion and Culture The Mongols were different than the Chinese– the spoke a different language, worshipped different God, wore different clothing and had different customs– The Chinese thought they were rude and uncivilized. (181)   2. Mongols accepted /tolerated Chinese traditions and philosophies Many adopted Chinese ways. (182)

Technology and Achievements 1.With money that Chinese were taxed they build new roads and palaces (182) 2. Created a postal system 3. built new capital, Dadu (182)

Government and Unification 1.1211-Genghis Khan- Organized fierce army and started to attack China in North (180) 2.1279- Kublai Khan (grandson of G.K.)declares himself emperor of China. (187) 3.They heavily taxed the Chinese but allowed them to keep their own beliefs systems (182)

Trade 1.Mongols traded be sea and by land which increased contact with the west 2.The military protected overland trade routes– making it safe for foreign traders. 3. Italian merchant Marco Polo who served under Kublai Khan’s court– He determined that China was highly civilized.

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 CE

Religion and Culture Buddhism, Daoism and Confucian thought still influence China

Technology and Achievements 1.They build the Forbidden City in Beijing. It has 9000 rooms and government buildings. Only upper class can go in. (184) 2. Restoration of The Great Wall– they expand it to over 2000 miles long! (185)

Government and Unification 1.They expelled the Mongols 2. Emperors become powerful. 3. Civil Service system is still used (examinations for government jobs). (186) 

Trade Sailor ZHENG HE- leads many grand voyages all over Asia and Africa. He returns with over 30 nations representatives to honor the Chinese king. (183) 2. Isolationism– Ming emperors conclude the west has little to offer so they restrict trade. (186)   3.China avoids outside contact and falls behind other countries in technology and military power (186)