Tang Decline and Rise of Song  New emperor initially advances political and economic reform  Becomes more interested in arts and pleasures  Allows an imperial harem  Rival cliques stimulate unrest  Lack of royal direction caused economical and military distress.

Tang Decline and Rise of Song  Nomadic frontier peoples and regional governors used the disorder to gain power  Last Tang emperor resigns in 907.  In 960 China is reunited under Song.  Emperor does not defeat the Manchus

Song Politics  Never match the Tang in political or military strength  Song rulers strongly promoted the interests of the Confucian scholar-gentry  Salaries were increased, civil service exams were standardized and successful candidates had better chance for employment.

Revival of Confucian Thought  New academies to study the classics and impressive libraries founded  The importance of applying philosophical principals to every day life were emphasized.  Cultivation of personal morality was the highest human goal.

Revival of Confucian Thought  Confucian learning was thought to produce superior men to govern and teach others  It had a lasting impact on intellectual life  Hostility to foreign thought prevented the entry of innovations from other society  Stress on tradition stifled critical thinking  Rituals reinforced class, gender and age distinctions.

Decline  Song weaknesses before the nomads (Khitan) encouraged other nomads to carve out kingdoms in the north  The Song paid them tribute and maintained a large army to protect against invasion draining resources  Neo-Confucians believed in traditional styles that did not promote reform.

Agrarian Production  Song and Tang pushed agricultural expansion  Peasants were encouraged to migrate to new areas  New crops and technology increased yields  Rulers adopted policies to break up aristocratic estates for more even distribution among free peasants.

Family and Society in the Tang-Song  Status of women improved under Tang but declined during Song  Extended family households were preferred  Male-dominated hierarchy  Upper class women had increased opportunities.

Neo-Confucian Male Dominance  New laws favored men in inheritance, divorce and women were excluded from educational system.  Footbinding takes place, particularly among upper class women. Confinement of women to home.

Decline  Economic conditions worsened and the military was unable to defend the northern borders.  The nomadic Jurchens established the Qin kingdom. They invaded China and annexed the Yellow River Basin  The Song fled to the south and established a new capital and ruled until 1279, when the Mongols take over.

Highlights  Gunpowder invented under the Tang.  Banks, trade routes, junks, paper money, flying money (credit) all helped China prosper.  11 th C. movable type and invention of paper allows a higher literacy level than anywhere else in the world.