1. China Reunites
Chapter 4 Section 1 Notes

2. Fall of the Han Dynasty
The Han dynasty of China collapsed causing China to plunge into civil war
Warlords: With no central government, China was ruled by warlords
Warlords: Military leaders who run a government

3. The Reunification of China
China reunited under General __________
Sui dynasty: Founded by General _____________ but was did not last long.
Yangdi: Son of General Wendi, took over after the death of Wendi
Projects: Yangdi rebuilt the Great Wall of China, and the Grand Canal

4. The Reunification of China
Grand Canal: Important route for shipping products between northern and southern China.
It helped to unite China’s economy
Economy: organized way in which people produce, sell, and purchase things.

5. The Reunification of China
Yangdi rebuilt China but at the expense of the Chinese people
Farmers were forced to work on the projects as well as pay high taxes to fund the projects
Farmers revolted, army took over and killed Yangdi
The death of Yangdi marks the end of the Sui dynasty

6. Tang Dynasty The Tang Dynasty followed the Sui dynasty
Was in power for about 300 years
Tang Capital: Changan, magnificent city with about a population of 1 million

7. Tang Dynasty Tang rulers tried to strengthen China’s government
Reforms: changes that brought improvement
Taizong: powerful Tang emperor who tried to restore the civil service exam system

8. Tang Dynasty
Civil Service Exam System: Did not matter if you were qualified, individuals got jobs by their connections
Reforms: Government officials were once again hired based on how well they did on exams rather than family connections

9. Tang Dynasty Empress_____: Empress of China
Only women to rule China on her own
Forceful leader: added more ________ officials and strengthened China military forces

10. Tang Dynasty China regained much of its power in Asia
Took control of the Silk Road: trading route for China, traded silk
Turks: nomads who took over the Silk Road and pushed China’s army out of central Asia
Fall of the Tang dynasty: loss of silk road damaged economy, revolts in Tibet and Chinese farmers cause China to collapse

11. Song dynasty Period of prosperity and cultural achievement
Problems faced: unable to defend large empire due to the lack of soldiers
Tibet broke away and nomads took over northern China
for safety Song moved their capital farther south to the city of Hangzhou

12. Buddhism Buddhism is a religion
Traders and missionaries from India brought Buddhism to China
Time of great suffering: buddhism taught people they could escape their suffering by following Buddhism principles
Result: many Chinese people seeking peace and comfort became Buddhism

13. Chinese Buddhism
Early Tang rulers were not Buddhism but they allowed Buddhism to be practiced in China
___________: are buddhist temples, place of worship
Provided services for the people: ran schools, rooms and food for travelers, and medical care

14. Chinese Buddhism
Not everyone like Buddhism: Some thought monks and nuns weakened respect of family life because they were not allowed to _________.
Fear of Buddhism: Tang view Buddhism as an enemy
destroyed many ___________ and temples in China
Buddhism never fully recovered in China

15. New Confucian Ideas
Confucianism: Not a religion, its a way of life; a philosophy
Civil Service Exams: Influenced by Confucian ideas and implemented by the Han dynasty
Fall of Han Dynasty: No more civil service exams, Confucianism lost support

16. Neo-Confucianism
Tang dynasty supported Confucianism as a way to reduce the influence of ______________
Neo-Confucianism: taught that life in this world was just as important as the afterlife
followers were expected to take part in life and help others