Download - Tang and Song Dynasty
Tang and Song Dynasty
• Constructed Grand Canal• 1,000 miles, connects the
Yellow and Yangtze rivers• Provided vital trade route
between north and south• Established a professional
army• People were overworked
and overtaxed• Eventually revolt and
overthrow government
Sui (sway) Dynasty -- 581-618
Sui Wendi, first emperor of Sui
Dynasty
Central government strengthenedRestored bureaucracy;
Empire expandedRegained lands lost after the decline of the
Han dynastyExpanded roads and canalsRedistributed land from the wealthy to the
peasantsLowered taxes
Promoted foreign tradeAgricultural Improvements
Tang Dynasty -- 618-906
Only female empress to rule China aloneConstruction of new irrigation systemOversaw expansion to KoreaBuddhism was the favored state religion
Empress Wu Zhao (woo jow)
Song Taizu gains control; empire is smaller than Tang
Cities experienced growth; China became the most populous country in the world.
China remains stable, powerful, and prosperous
Northern invaders force Song to move southExperience rapid economic
growth
Song (Sung) Dynasty -- 960-1279
New “Gentry” society attained status through education and civil service positionsReplaced nobles as upper
classStatus of women declined
Women’s work at home and on farms is viewed as less important
Tang and Song Society
Customary for upper class girlsSign of social status
Foot binding in Tang China
Printing (movable type)GunpowderPaper moneyPorcelainMechanical clockMagnetic Compass makes China a great sea
powerNew mathematical ideas
Tang and Song Science and Technology
Fast growing rice imported from Vietnam to support rapidly growing population
Rice cultivation
Imperial armies guarded Silk RoadsExpansion of sea tradeChinese culture spread through trade &
travelBuddhism
Incoming ideas and goods:TeaIslam, some Christianity
Trade & Foreign Contacts
Prosperity stimulated high level of creativityProduced great poetryPainting
Daoist influence (nature)
Golden Age of Art