China during the Sui, China during the Sui, Tang, & Song DynastiesTang, & Song Dynasties

Sui 589-618Sui 589-618

Tang 618-907Tang 618-907

Song 960 -1279Song 960 -1279

Background

After the fall of the Han Empire in 220 After the fall of the Han Empire in 220 c.e., northern China was controlled by c.e., northern China was controlled by Central Asian & Tibetan nomads; no Central Asian & Tibetan nomads; no group in southern China was strong group in southern China was strong enough to control the entire regionenough to control the entire region (30 (30 dynasties in about 300 years claimed the dynasties in about 300 years claimed the Mandate of Heaven).Mandate of Heaven).

For 350 years, regional rule was the For 350 years, regional rule was the political reality.political reality.

BackgroundBy 589, the first By 589, the first

emperor of the Sui emperor of the Sui dynasty had dynasty had forcefully reunited forcefully reunited northern and northern and southern China once southern China once again. again.

The foundations for The foundations for the Tang & Song the Tang & Song Dynasties were laid.Dynasties were laid.

“A Golden Age”

China during the Tang and Song China during the Tang and Song dynasties enjoyed dynasties enjoyed

political stabilitypolitical stabilityeconomic growtheconomic growthintellectual & artistic achievementintellectual & artistic achievement

Even though there were many changes, Even though there were many changes, Chinese culture Chinese culture retainedretained many of its many of its

characteristics from earlier dynasties.characteristics from earlier dynasties.

Confucianism remained a foundation of Confucianism remained a foundation of society and culture.society and culture.

China continued to be superior in many China continued to be superior in many advancements, in technology, and ideas advancements, in technology, and ideas to other areas of the world.to other areas of the world.

Power of the emperor & scholar-Power of the emperor & scholar-bureaucracy returnedbureaucracy returned

Written language Written language was separate from was separate from spoken languagesspoken languages

The social class The social class structure and structure and gender roles gender roles remained relatively remained relatively constant.constant.

CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS OF CHINAOF CHINA

DURING THE SUI, TANG, and DURING THE SUI, TANG, and SONG DYNASTIESSONG DYNASTIES

Politics & Government The frontiers were stabilized & attempts The frontiers were stabilized & attempts

at expansion were partially successful.at expansion were partially successful. Centralized government returned along Centralized government returned along

with a bureaucracy of trained civil with a bureaucracy of trained civil servants.servants.

Agriculture in Tang & Song China

Agricultural production improved & crop Agricultural production improved & crop specialization intensified with improved specialization intensified with improved infrastructureinfrastructure, , iron implements, and iron implements, and printingprinting.

New crop –

Champa rice –

Could be harvested twice

INDUSTRY & INDUSTRY & TRADETRADE

China continued toChina continued to

be a main producerbe a main producer

of . . .of . . . Silk (though monopoly was lost)Silk (though monopoly was lost) PorcelainPorcelain MetalsMetals

China began cotton, tea, and sugar China began cotton, tea, and sugar production and export.production and export.

TRADE Regional tradeRegional trade

improved due to improved due to improved improved infrastructureinfrastructure

Indian Ocean tradeIndian Ocean trade increased with increased with Tang control over Tang control over coastal Southern coastal Southern China China

Silk Road tradeSilk Road trade increasedincreased

FinanceBanking and Banking and CreditCredit system (flying system (flying

money)money)Government issued paper money.Government issued paper money.Growth of cities led to growth of Growth of cities led to growth of

industry, trade, and the empires’ industry, trade, and the empires’ economyeconomy

Social Classes Landowners (landed gentry) were at the Landowners (landed gentry) were at the

top of the social class system. top of the social class system. Scholar-bureaucrats (scholar gentry) & Scholar-bureaucrats (scholar gentry) &

military military leadersleaders were also in upper-class. were also in upper-class. Merchants and artisans could acquire a Merchants and artisans could acquire a

great deal of wealth - but were in the great deal of wealth - but were in the lower classes.lower classes.

Gender Roles Women’s status slowly declined Women’s status slowly declined

(despite attempts at reform by (despite attempts at reform by several empresses).several empresses).

The Song Period saw women The Song Period saw women

at a very low social status.at a very low social status.Evidence: Seclusion, lack Evidence: Seclusion, lack

of property rights, of property rights,

exclusion from education, &exclusion from education, &

FOOTBINDING.FOOTBINDING.

From Ning Lao T'ai-t'ai From Ning Lao T'ai-t'ai

““A girl's beauty and desirability were A girl's beauty and desirability were counted more by the size of her feet counted more by the size of her feet than by the beauty of her face. than by the beauty of her face. Matchmakers were not asked, 'Is she Matchmakers were not asked, 'Is she beautiful?' but 'How small are her beautiful?' but 'How small are her feet?' A plain face is given by feet?' A plain face is given by heaven but poorly bound feet are a heaven but poorly bound feet are a sign of laziness.” sign of laziness.”

Technology and Innovation

First chain driven mechanism - the clock First chain driven mechanism - the clock (1088)(1088)

Gunpowder Gunpowder Paper production and block printing Paper production and block printing

techniques were invented and then techniques were invented and then advanced—moveable type.advanced—moveable type.

Boat building and navigational Boat building and navigational technology was more advanced than the technology was more advanced than the rest of the world.rest of the world.

Other Advancements included: Tang and Song China had some of the Tang and Song China had some of the

largest cities in the world.largest cities in the world. Song Chinese were the first to use Song Chinese were the first to use

fractions in computations and equations.fractions in computations and equations. Solar year was accurately measured Solar year was accurately measured Doctors in Song China compiled and Doctors in Song China compiled and

printed medical textsprinted medical texts

In terms of advancements, innovations, In terms of advancements, innovations, and knowledge, China benefited from and knowledge, China benefited from centuries of Chinese scholarship and centuries of Chinese scholarship and technology.technology.

Influences from other parts of the world Influences from other parts of the world (especially during the Tang period) also (especially during the Tang period) also had a considerable effect.had a considerable effect.