1. Aim: Why did China experience a golden age under the Tang and Song dynasties?
Do Now: Recall what we learned about Ancient China and the Han dynasty.

2. Vocabulary Usurp- to illegally take over
Tributary states-A Tributary state is a state that is subordinate to a more powerful neighbouring state
Land reform- the statutory division of agricultural land and its reallocation to landless people
Gentry- wealthy land-owning class
Pagoda- a multistoried temple with eaves curving up at the corners

3. Setting the Scene China had been divided into small feudal kingdoms
Sui dynasty briefly united North and South
It was later reunified under the Tang and Song dynasty

4. Society in the Tang and Song Dynasties
There were two main social classes
gentry
peasants
•many scholar officials were from the gentry
•government service and allies of emperors officials
•song valued learning over physical labor
•most of society were peasants
•many lived off farming
•small, self sufficient villages

5. The Tang Dynasty (618-90 AD) Preceded Sui dynasty
Li Yuan was the first emperor of Tang dynasty
Gained control by revolting against previous dynasty
Son Li Shimin (Tang Taizong) took over
General
Government reformer
Historian
Calligrapher

6. The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) Conquered territory in Central Asia
Vietnam, Tibet and Korea became tributary states
Many cultural achievements
Art, architecture
Restore China to Han system
Restored bureaucracy
Schools prepared men for exams
Land reform strengthened central government; weakened power of large landowners
More taxes
Canal system for trade and transporta

8. Decline of the Tang Dynasty
Lost territory to Arabs
Conditions worsened
Corruption
High taxes
Drought
Famine
Rebellion
A general rebelled and overthrew last emperor

9. The Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) A scholar united China once again
Controlled less territory
Threat of Northern invasions
Golden age despite military issues
Wealth
Culture
Economical growth in farming
Irrigation= two rice crops per year
Caused surplus
People had more time for other things

10. The Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) Efficient trade systems
Southeast Asia provided spices and woods
Porcelain from Song dynasty traded as far as East Africa
Paper money was issued
China became center of trade
Like the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty was also very culturally rich

12. Decline of the Song Dynasty
During the reign of Emperor Shenzong
Decline was triggered by:
New policies were enforced
Invasions of external tribes weakened the Northern Song court
Invasions of the Jin Dynasty
Weak military strength

13. Society Continued it was very painful
social mobility through education and government service
market towns/cities created wealthy merchants
normally low social status
women had high status
late 600s Wu Zhao became the first and only empress
men were still valued more
footbinding: a tradition for women in which they wrap long strips of cloth, creating a lily shape on their feet.
used to have a girl find a husband
tiny feet= symbol of nobility and beauty

14. Debate on which was the beater golden age
Activity
Debate on which was the beater golden age

15. Exit Slip In 3 to 4 sentences sum up the song dynasty
In 3 to 4 sentences sum up the tang dynasty