1. Discuss
You are a peasant in China in the year 264. Your grandfather often speaks of a time when all China was united, but all you have known is warfare among many different rulers. A man passing through your village speaks of even more conflict in other areas.
Why might you want China to have just one ruler?
Can you think of a time when more than one person was telling you what to do? How did you feel?

2. 7.1 China Reunifies page
EQ: What were the key events in the history of China from ?

3. Period of Disunion 220-589 Han Dynasty collapsed in 220
Split into rival kingdoms ruled by military leaders
China was not unified
War and disorder was common
Lasted from 220 to 589

4. Period of Disunion Cultural Changes: Cultural blending
North: Nomadic rulers and adopted Chinese culture
South: Northern Chinese culture blended with Southern = new art, music, food, fashion etc.
Buddhism flourished
Seeking to escape suffering
Find peace

5. Sui Dynasty 589-618 Key Facts: Unified under Yang Jian
Ended Period of Disunion

6. Sui Dynasty Key Facts: Leaders restored order
Began Grand Canal (linking northern and southern China)
(29 yrs)

7. Grand Canal

8. Tang Dynasty 618-907 Key Facts Emperor Taizong- many reforms
China expanded it’s territory
“Golden Age” of Chinese civilization
Artistic, agricultural, commercial and cultural achievements
Capital city of Chang’an
Trade and cultural center
Xuan-Zong – culture fourished
Empress Wu-only woman to rule China

9. Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
Key Facts:
Period of chaos after fall of Tang Dynasty
Separate kingdoms competed for power

10. Song Dynasty 960-1279 Key Facts: China reunified
Time of economic growth
Time of great accomplishments
Lasted about 300 years

11. Age of Buddhism: 400-845 Originated in India around 500 B.C.
Chinese people turned to Buddhism during the period of Disunion
They were feeling the need for comfort due to the chaos of war.

12. Age of BUDDHISM Wealthy donated money to build Buddhist temples.
Continued to spread during the Sui & Tang Dynasty
Japan, Korea, & other parts of Asia

13. Age of Buddhism
Influenced Chinese culture: art, literature, poetry, and architecture.
Ended during Tang Dynasty
Emperor launched an attack
Burned Buddhist texts
Took away their land
Destroyed Buddhist temples