1. Golden Ages of China
Tang & Song Dynasties

2. Chapter 12: Tang & Song Dynasties
Reunification and Renaissance
220 CE.—Han dynasty ends
—Era of Division
—Sui dynasty
—Tang dynasty
—Song dynasty
—Mongol (Yuan) dynasty

3. Sui

4. Rebuilding the Imperial Edifice
6th century—Sui dynasty comes to power under the rule of Wendi
Rules with “Legalism” brutal rule.
Reunites China after the fall of the Han Dynasty
Wins widespread support by
Lowering taxes
Establishing granaries (wards off famine)

5. Grand Canal One of the world's largest waterworks before modern times
Purpose: bring abundant food supplies of the south to the north
Linked the Yangtze and the Huang-Hi
The canal integrated the economies of the south and north

6. Sui Yangdi expands on his father’s foundations
Adopts Confuciusism rather then legalism
Milder legal code
Restoration of exam system
Promotion of scholar-gentry
Social order based on strict diarchy

7. Downfall Loss of Mandate of Heaven
Excess, waste and wars lead to collapse
Grand Canal “Tour” Leads to Peasant Revolt
Yangdi assassinated in 618 by his own ministers

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

9. Significance:
Chinese inventions from this period, such as printing, gunpowder, and the compass, changed history.
Key Point:
Tang and Song China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.

12. The Tang Dynasty World View: The Song Dynasty World View:
west along the Silk Road
Silk Road – trading network with the west.
looks east towards the sea

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

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

15. Agriculture
imported fast-ripening rice from Vietnam

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

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

18. Science and Technology
mathematics flourished

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

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

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

22. Inventions of Tang and Song China

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

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

25. 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

26. 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.

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

29. 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