China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam The Postclassical Era China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam

Rebuilding the Sui/Tang Era Wendi conquered the Chen Kingdom Reunited the core of Chinese civilization for the first time in 3 ½ centuries Yangdi (son of Wendi) murdered his father to get the throne Sought to restore the examination system and promote the scholar-gentry class Fond of luxury and extravagance and also failed to win against Korea He was then assassinated by his own ministers ending the Sui Dynasty

Emergence of the Tang Li Yuan, and his son, Tang Taizong, laid the basis for the golden age of the Tang Tang armies conquered deep into central Asia Turkic tribes posed the greatest threat Tang rulers took the title heavenly khan Empire was extended even larger than the early Han Dynasty

Rebuilding the Bureaucracy The restoration, rebuilding and expanding of the imperial bureaucracy was key to Chinese unity Scholar-gentry class/elite played a central role and offset the power of the aristocracy From Tang era onward, political power in China was shared by imperial families and bureaucrats Examination system was expanded-different levels of exams were given Those that achieved highest levels were called jinshi-they were then eligible for the highest positions available Birth and family connections continued to be important in securing high office positions

State and Religion State patronage of Confucian learning threatened Buddhism Masses followed Mahayana Buddhism, elite followed Chan Tang rulers patronized Buddhism while promoting Confucian education Backlash against Buddhism: Didn’t have to pay taxes, received grants of land, so restrictions were placed on Buddhism which turned into persecution Buddhism survived but was severely weakened Confucianism emerges as central ideology

Tang Decline-Rise of Song 907 C.E.- last emperor of Tang Dynasty forced to resign 960 C.E.- military commander Zhao (renamed Emperor Taizu), reunited China under single dynasty- Song Strongly promoted the interests of the Confucian scholar-gentry Neo-Confucians popped up-applying philosophical principles to everyday life In general, women saw worsening conditions-stressed the women's role as homemaker and mother-footbinding was practiced

Tang/Song Accomplishments Science, technology, agricultural tools, banks, paper money, Grand Canal, bridges, explosive gunpowder, flame throwers, rocket launchers, coal, kites, drinking tea Song: Compass, abacus, moveable type printing Chinese education was focused on turning out generalists rather than specialists

Western Europe and Japan developed full feudal political systems Developed more centralized government Aristocratic lords controlled masses of peasants Highly militaristic Relied heavily on group and individual loyalty- not confirmed by contracts

Koguryo resisted Chinese rule and established independent state Korea Koguryo resisted Chinese rule and established independent state Sinification- adoption of Chinese culture Tang strategists defeated Koguryo and put an end to the dynasty that played key role in Korea’s early development Silla rulers strove to make mini Tang Empire Favored Buddhism over Confucianism

Vietnam Han Dynasty conquered Viets and Chinese administrators co-oped with local lords Drawn into Chinese culture-schools, texts, Confucianism, exams, irrigation Viets wanted to resist Chinese Peansants rallied, lords undermined Chinese, hostile towards Confucianism Stronger links to Buddhism Bureaucrats couldn’t control peasants Became masters of their own land for a long time