1. Tang & Song China
Golden Ages

2. Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule
After the Han Dynasty, several regional kingdoms made bids to assert their authority over all of China, but none possessed the resources necessary to dominate their rivals for the long term
In the late sixth century, Yang Jian was able to reestablish centralized rule
He was succeeded by the Tang and then Song Dynasties which organized Chinese society so effectively that China became a center of exceptional agricultural and industrial production that influenced much of the eastern hemisphere

3. Two Great Dynasties in China
During the Tang ( ) and Song ( ) dynasties, China becomes the richest, powerful, and most advanced country in the world.

4. Why it Matters Now:
Chinese inventions from this period, such as printing, gunpowder, and the compass, changed history.
Main Idea:
Tang and Song China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.

7. The Tang Dynasty World View: The Song Dynasty World View:
west along the Silk Road
looks east towards the sea

8. Trade/Foreign Contacts
Silk Road
west; Tang Dynasty

9. Trade/Foreign Contacts
Silk Road
west; Tang Dynasty
ocean ships
east, Song Dynasty
Korea
Japan
India
Persian Gulf
east Africa

10. Agriculture
imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam

11. Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam
allowed two crops each season instead of one

12. Agriculture imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam
allowed two crops each season instead of one
fueled population increase

13. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished

14. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished
adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero

15. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished
adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero
invented movable type

16. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished
adopted the use of algebra and the concept of zero
invented movable type
developed gunpowder

17. Inventions of Tang and Song China

18. Golden Age of Art
wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement

19. Golden Age of Art
wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement
great poetry
Li Bo and Du Fu

20. Golden Age of Art
wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement
great poetry
Li Bo and Du Fu
Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty

21. Golden Age of Art
wealth, education, and urban culture = artistic achievement
great poetry
Li Bo and Du Fu
Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty.
Many figurines, predominantly horses and camels, were produced.

23. Most of these pieces have been found in the more affluent tombs of the Tang period

24. The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared
Tang Only
Song Only
Both
Ruled smaller empire,
developed into great sea power, created paper money and movable type
Expanded the empire,
had a female ruler,
adopted Buddhism
Prospered through trade, improved agriculture, created great art and literature

25. Tang and Song, the big picture…
Chinese achievements & belief systems spread to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam along established trade routes
For centuries, China was the dominant culture in East Asia
Chinese achievements spread to European culture during the Middle Ages