Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E.Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E.

Benefits of the Dynasty1. land redistribution policy: land in

accordance with household numbers

2. Formalized the Confucian Exam system3. Growth of Silk Road Trade3. Established army of professional soldiers4. Grand Canal Created

Cost of the Dynasty

1. People were overworked and over

taxed

Grand Canal

Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.

Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.

High point of Chinese history

1. Imperial examination system perfected

2. Liberal attitude towards all religions Spread of Buddhism in China

3. Golden Age of foreign relations with other countries: Japan, Korea, Persia

4. New Technologies: porcelain – mechanical clock

5. Tea arrived in China from Southeast Asia

6. Trade routes thrived: Silk Road / Indian Ocean

7. Social mobility was possible through education

Chinese Class StructureChinese Class Structure1.1.Gentry Class: scholars and government workers from wealthy Gentry Class: scholars and government workers from wealthy landowning class. Exempt from land taxes, and dominated the landowning class. Exempt from land taxes, and dominated the money-lending system of China. (Foot-binding occurred at this money-lending system of China. (Foot-binding occurred at this level)level)2.2.Peasants: The majority of Chinese. Worked land but could rise Peasants: The majority of Chinese. Worked land but could rise in social class through education and government servicein social class through education and government service3.3.Merchant Class: Lowest class because they profited from the Merchant Class: Lowest class because they profited from the labor of others. labor of others.

Gender: Women were given more respect and power.Gender: Women were given more respect and power.

Foot-Binding in Tang China

Foot-Binding in Tang China

Broken toes by 3 years of age.

Size 5 ½ shoe on the rightFirmly entrenched Firmly entrenched

practice among the upper practice among the upper class by 1200 A.C.E.class by 1200 A.C.E.

Results of Foot-BindingResults of Foot-Binding

Tang Gov’t. OrganizationTang Gov’t.

Organization-Very well organized-Very well organized-Set the model for all -Set the model for all future Chinese future Chinese governmentsgovernments

Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705

Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705

Only Chinese Empress to rule aloneConstructed new irrigation systemsBuddhism was favored state

religion Financed building of many Buddhist temples

End of Tang DynastyEnd of Tang Dynasty

Causes of declineMisruleCourt intriguesEconomic exploitationRebellions

Made it possible for northern invaders to defeat them

Next 50 years saw fragmentation of ChinaFive northern dynastiesTen southern kingdoms

Song Dynasty AchievementsSong Dynasty Achievements1.1.Military strength was 1.25 million men. Military Military strength was 1.25 million men. Military leaders were educated specialists who were leaders were educated specialists who were tested on military subjects, and paid a regular tested on military subjects, and paid a regular salary. (Not the best army)salary. (Not the best army)2.2.Inventions: Gunpowder – moveable type – Inventions: Gunpowder – moveable type – compasscompass3.3.Silk-Road trade suffered from nomads but Silk-Road trade suffered from nomads but internal trade and sea trade remained briskinternal trade and sea trade remained brisk4.4.Rice harvest improved with 2 crops a yearRice harvest improved with 2 crops a year5.5.First use of paper moneyFirst use of paper money

Song [Sung] Dynasty, 960-1279 C.E.

Song [Sung] Dynasty, 960-1279 C.E.

6. Creation of urban, merchant middle class

7. Neo-Confucianists wanted to purify Confucianism

8. Increased emphasis on education & cheaper availability of printed books

Song Rice CultivationSong Rice Cultivation