Unit 2: The Post-Classical Age, Part II – Reconstruction of Society

Background 220 CE: Collapse of the Han Dynasty During the last 2 centuries of Han Rule, large landowners gained influence in government Reduced their taxes; raised taxes on peasants Massive discontent & rebellion Han military took power Aligned with regional landowners (War Lords) Han dynasty dissolved in region ruled by war lords

Decline of Confucianism During Han dynasty, elites and intellectuals embraced Confucian traditions Confucian traditions were believed to ensure social order and stability With collapse of Han dynasty and disintegration of China into warring states, interest in Confucianism lessened

Sui CE Founded a powerful warlord Conquered other warlords and reunited China Sui dynasty established power using legalistic means similar to those of Shi Huangdi Strong central government, harsh rules, forced labor

Sui Dynasty Innovations Transportation & communication network Distribution of land: equal field system Government bureaucracy based of merit Grand Canal: to facilitate trade between northern and southern China and to make abundant food supplies in south available to north

Tang CE: expanded territory Tried to establish a Confucian beneficent government Stressed Confucian education and civil service Improved on developments during Sui: Transportation & communications network Distribution of land: equal field system Problems: rise in population, bribery by wealthy, land given to Buddhist monasteries Government bureaucracy based on merit

Tang Foreign Relations Tributary relationship with neighboring lands neighbors recognized Chinese emperors as overlords Paid tribute in form of gifts Kowtow: ritual prostration before emperor Chinese gave gifts and recognition in return

Imperial Power The Tang follow the Han and makes China once again a great imperial power Roughly the same time period as the Islamic Empires These two large empires will stimulate more traffic along the Silk Road As a result both will benefit from cross-cultural interaction Chinese cities become more cosmopolitan in nature

Rise of Buddhism The religious & philosophical ideology of Buddhism became a major aspect of Chinese culture It blended with Chinese ideas values Integrated the ideas of Confucianism, Daoism, & other indigenous philosophical systems Became a natural part of Chinese civilization Eventually would be persecuted by the state & decline in influence

End of the Tang Dynasty Tang dynasty declined in power Ineffective leadership by later emperors Rebellions occurred Emperors gradually gave control to warlords State ended Military governors made their own little kingdoms East Asia cut off from communication with Islamic world Warlords controlled separate regions

Song Dynasty Reunified China after 6 decades of war Reestablished central bureaucracy Private trade grew Mercantile class born Cultural refinement New interest in Confucianism Major crops: tea & cotton Gunpowder 1 st used for military purposes

Song Economy Use of interregional credit system Flying money Beginning of government issued paper money Initially failed

Song Society Developed sophisticated Neo-Confucian philosophy while Chan (Zen) Buddhism remained popular Women’s status declined during the Song Lost many rights

Innovations Paper Printing Letter of credit/cash Gunpowder/explosives The magnetic compass Junk Porcelain, fine china Improvements in production of iron & steel