1. China Reunites Today we are learning:
*how Chinese rulers brought peace, order, and growth to China
*how Buddhism became a major religion
* about the Chinese government’s support of Confucian ideas

2. Rebuilding China’s Empire
A.D. 200 – Han empire ends
China has no central gov. for 300 years
Warlords (military leaders running the government) fought each other
Nomads conquered parts of northern China
Koreans gained independence from China and built their own civilization

3. Sui Dynasty
Wendi –
General
declared emperor
reunited China (A.D. 581)
founded the Sui dynasty
Yangdi – Wendi’s son. Dreamed of expanding China’s territory.
Achievements
Rebuilt the Great Wall
Building the Grand Canal (1,000 mile waterway linked northern, southern China)
United China’s economy (an organized way in which people produce, sell, and buy things)
Hardships
Farmers forced to work on building projects and pay high taxes
Farmers revolted, army took over, killed Yangdi
End to the Sui dynasty

4. Tang Dynasty A.D. 618 – one of Yangdi’s generals took over
Tang Dynasty formed
Last A.D. 618 – A.D. 907
Capital – Changan
Reforms
Civil service exam restored, land given to farmers, and order in the country side under Taizong (most powerful emperor)
Empress Wu – only woman to rule China alone.
Very forceful
Added more gov. officials
Strengthened military forces

5. Tang Dynasty Accomplishments Problems Tang Problems
Turks – took over Silk Road (damaged China’s economy)
Revolts
Tibet
Farmers
Disorder brings down dynasty (A.D. 907)
Military leaders ruled (50 yrs.)
Power regained in Asia
Expansion
Tibet invaded
Controlled the Silk Road
Korean Kingdoms
Forced to pay tribute
Took over Vietnam

6. A.D. 960 – a general declares himself emperor
Song Dynasty
A.D. 960 – a general declares himself emperor
Dynasty rules from A.D
Accomplishments
Problems
Chinese civilization became the most advanced in the world
Enlarged government bureaucracy, reformed civil service examination system
Neo-Confucianism gained favor, emphasizing Confucian ethics, spiritual matters
Not enough soldiers to control the empire
Tibet broke away
Nomads took over N. China
*Capital moved to Hangzhou – on the coast near the Chang Jiang delta

7. Cultural achievements of the Tang and Song dynasties
The Tang and Song dynasties were periods of great cultural achievement. Art and literature flourished, and many inventions and advances occurred in science and technology.
Tang period produced some of China’s greatest poets
Du Fu, Li Bo, two most famous
Poems of Confucian ideals, joys of life
Literature and Art
Reached new heights
Wu Daozi, murals celebrating Buddhism, nature
Landscapes of great beauty
Some used only black ink
Painting
Exquisite objects made from clay
Tang: pottery figurines, often to go in tombs
Song: excelled at making porcelain
Admired, sought after worldwide
Artisans

8. Inventions and Innovations
Architecture
Indian Buddhist temples influenced design of Chinese pagoda
Featured roofs at each floor curving upwards at corners
Inventions
During Tang, Song periods, China became a world leader in technology, science
Gunpowder major invention, used in fireworks, weapons
Magnetic Compass
Major Tang technical advance
Uses Earth’s magnetic field to show direction
Revolutionized sea travel, contributed to world exploration
Printing
Paper, ink invented earlier
Tang period, developed woodblock printing
Text carved into wood, coated with ink, pressed on paper

9. Buddhism in China
A.D. 150 – missionaries from India brought Buddhism to China
Time of suffering
Han dynasty was weakening
China envelops into a civil war
Need for peace and comfort
Tang rulers
not Buddhist, but allowed it to be practiced.
Supported building of temples
Services
Ran schools
Room/food for travelers
Monks – bankers, doctors
Haters
Wrong to accept $$$$
No marriage = no respect for family
A.D. 845 – officials feared growth of Buddhism
monasteries & temples destroyed
Buddhism never recovered

10. Buddhism Spreads East A.D. 300 – Buddhists bring religion to Korea
A.D. 600 – Korea is united into one country
Buddhism grew even stronger
Legend of how it spread to Japan:
Korea’s king wrote to Japan’s emperor claiming: “This religion is the most excellent of all teachings”
The letter also contained Buddhist writings and a stature of the Buddha