1. China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam
The Postclassical Era
China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam

2. Rebuilding the Sui/Tang Era
Wendi conquered the Chen Kingdom
Reunited the core of Chinese civilization for the first time in 3 ½ centuries
Yangdi (son of Wendi) murdered his father to get the throne
Sought to restore the examination system and promote the scholar-gentry class
Fond of luxury and extravagance and also failed to win against Korea
He was then assassinated by his own ministers ending the Sui Dynasty

3. Emergence of the Tang
Li Yuan, and his son, Tang Taizong, laid the basis for the golden age of the Tang
Tang armies conquered deep into central Asia
Turkic tribes posed the greatest threat
Tang rulers took the title heavenly khan
Empire was extended even larger than the early Han Dynasty

4. Rebuilding the Bureaucracy
The restoration, rebuilding and expanding of the imperial bureaucracy was key to Chinese unity
Scholar-gentry class/elite played a central role and offset the power of the aristocracy
From Tang era onward, political power in China was shared by imperial families and bureaucrats
Examination system was expanded-different levels of exams were given
Those that achieved highest levels were called jinshi-they were then eligible for the highest positions available
Birth and family connections continued to be important in securing high office positions

5. State and Religion
State patronage of Confucian learning threatened Buddhism
Masses followed Mahayana Buddhism, elite followed Chan
Tang rulers patronized Buddhism while promoting Confucian education
Backlash against Buddhism:
Didn’t have to pay taxes, received grants of land, so restrictions were placed on Buddhism which turned into persecution
Buddhism survived but was severely weakened
Confucianism emerges as central ideology

6. Tang Decline-Rise of Song
907 C.E.- last emperor of Tang Dynasty forced to resign
960 C.E.- military commander Zhao (renamed Emperor Taizu), reunited China under single dynasty- Song
Strongly promoted the interests of the Confucian scholar-gentry
Neo-Confucians popped up-applying philosophical principles to everyday life
In general, women saw worsening conditions-stressed the women's role as homemaker and mother-footbinding was practiced

7. Tang/Song Accomplishments
Science, technology, agricultural tools, banks, paper money, Grand Canal, bridges, explosive gunpowder, flame throwers, rocket launchers, coal, kites, drinking tea
Song:
Compass, abacus, moveable type printing
Chinese education was focused on turning out generalists rather than specialists

8. Western Europe and Japan developed full feudal political systems
Developed more centralized government
Aristocratic lords controlled masses of peasants
Highly militaristic
Relied heavily on group and individual loyalty- not confirmed by contracts

9. Koguryo resisted Chinese rule and established independent state
Korea
Koguryo resisted Chinese rule and established independent state
Sinification- adoption of Chinese culture
Tang strategists defeated Koguryo and put an end to the dynasty that played key role in Korea’s early development
Silla rulers strove to make mini Tang Empire
Favored Buddhism over Confucianism

10. Vietnam
Han Dynasty conquered Viets and Chinese administrators co-oped with local lords
Drawn into Chinese culture-schools, texts, Confucianism, exams, irrigation
Viets wanted to resist Chinese
Peansants rallied, lords undermined Chinese, hostile towards Confucianism
Stronger links to Buddhism
Bureaucrats couldn’t control peasants
Became masters of their own land for a long time