3-11-13. background: after the han dynasty fell, no dynasty or emperor was strong enough to hold...
TRANSCRIPT
3-11-13
Empires of Asia: China
Background: After the Han Dynasty fell, no dynasty or emperor was strong enough to hold China together.
After 350 years Tang and Song dynasty finally restore strong central government for China.
China
Wendi- first emperor of this dynastyGreatest accomplishment: completion of the Grand CanalThe Grand Canal connected the Huang He and the Chang Jiang : was vital for trade.
connected the northern cities to the southern rice-producing region
Sui Dynasty 581-618
Due to the endless labor of peasants on state projects like the Grand Canal and the Great Wall, peasants revolted and killed the second Sui Emperor in 618
End of the Sui Dynasty
Tang Taizong began the dynasty. He reigned from 626-649
Empire Expanded-armies reconquered western lands China had lost
Extended influence into KoreaWu Zhao was empress during campaign in
KoreaShe took over power of China in 690
Tang Dynasty
Strengthened central government in ChinaExpanded network of roads and canalsPromoted foreign tradeMade improvements in Agriculture
Tang Dynasty revived and expanded civil service examinations
Those who pass became part of an elite group of scholar-officials
Exams were open to all men- however only wealth could afford necessary years of education to pass the exam.
Men with political connections could earn positions without taking exam
Civil Service Examinations
Imposed crushing taxes in mid 700’s to pay for governments programs and military expansion
Muslim armies defeated ChineseCentral Asia was under foreign control907 Chinese rebels attacked Tang capital and
assassinated the emperor.
Tang Lose Power
After the fall of the Tang Dynasty rival warlords divided China into separate kingdoms.
960: General Taizu reunited China and declared himself the first emperor of the Song Dynasty.
Lasted about three centuries(like the Tang Dynasty)
Under this dynasty China remained strong, stable and powerful
They could not recover the land conquered by foreign enemies.
Tried to buy peace to their northern enemies by paying tributes of silver, silk, and tea.
This method failed and the Jurchen took over northern China, leaving the Song dynasty only southern China to rule.
They moved capital city to HangzhouThey prospered economicallyMerchants in southern cities grew rich from
trade
Technological innovations: moveable type and gunpowder.
Advances in mathematics-arithmetic and algebra
Agriculture improvements: cultivation of rice (faster ripening rice) produced more food
Trade Flourished: Silk Road (until end of Tang Dynasty)
Increased Ocean Trade-advances in sailing technology
Golden Age of Poetry and Art
Achievements during Tang and Song Dynasty