Tang and Song ChinaTang and Song China

During the Tang and Song During the Tang and Song dynasties, China experiences an dynasties, China experiences an

era of era of prosperity and prosperity and technological innovationtechnological innovation

The Tang Dynasty Expands The Tang Dynasty Expands ChinaChina

Brief Reign of the Sui Brief Reign of the Sui DynastyDynasty Sui DynastySui Dynasty, established , established

by Wendi, lasts by Wendi, lasts from 581 from 581 to 618to 618..

Main accomplishment: Main accomplishment: completing the Grand completing the Grand Canal, which expands Canal, which expands trade.trade.

Forced labor, high taxes, Forced labor, high taxes, lead to revolt; Sui lead to revolt; Sui emperor is assassinated emperor is assassinated in 618.in 618.

Tang Rulers Create Tang Rulers Create a Powerful Empirea Powerful Empire Tang Dynasty (618-Tang Dynasty (618-

907) begun by 907) begun by brilliant emperor brilliant emperor Tang TaizongTang Taizong..

Wu Zhao—only woman in Wu Zhao—only woman in China to assume title of China to assume title of emperor.emperor.

Tang rulers expand and Tang rulers expand and unify the empire, and unify the empire, and strengthen the strengthen the government.government.

Scholar-OfficialsScholar-Officials Tang rulers revive civil service Tang rulers revive civil service

examination system.examination system. Theoretically, exams are open to all men, Theoretically, exams are open to all men,

even commoners.even commoners. Practically, only rich can afford necessary Practically, only rich can afford necessary

education to take exam.education to take exam. Growth of bureaucracy cuts power of Growth of bureaucracy cuts power of

nobles.nobles.

The Tang Lose PowerThe Tang Lose Power Tang rulers increase taxes in mid-700s, Tang rulers increase taxes in mid-700s,

causing hardship.causing hardship. Attacks on empire increase; in 907 the Attacks on empire increase; in 907 the

last Tang emperor is killed.last Tang emperor is killed.

Song Dynasty Restores Song Dynasty Restores ChinaChina

Turmoil Followed by Strong RuleTurmoil Followed by Strong Rule In 960, Taizu reunites China, and proclaims In 960, Taizu reunites China, and proclaims

Song Dynasty (960-1279).Song Dynasty (960-1279). Song rulers unable to recapture lands lost in Song rulers unable to recapture lands lost in

the west and north.the west and north. In 1100s, Jurchen people arise in Manchuria In 1100s, Jurchen people arise in Manchuria

and set up their own empire.and set up their own empire. In 1127, Song rulers are forced south; build In 1127, Song rulers are forced south; build

new capital at Hangzhou.new capital at Hangzhou. Southern Song empire lasts from 1127 to 1279Southern Song empire lasts from 1127 to 1279..

An Era of Prosperity and An Era of Prosperity and InnovationInnovation

GrowthGrowth Population doubles during Tang and Population doubles during Tang and

Song Dynasties to 100 million.Song Dynasties to 100 million. China becomes the most populous China becomes the most populous

country in the worldcountry in the world..

Science and technologyScience and technology Chinese invent Chinese invent gunpowder, porcelain, gunpowder, porcelain,

mechanical clock, paper moneymechanical clock, paper money.. Moveable typeMoveable type—blocks of individual —blocks of individual

characters—makes printing easier.characters—makes printing easier. In mathematics, Chinese develop the In mathematics, Chinese develop the

use of use of negative numbersnegative numbers..

Su Song’s Astronomical Su Song’s Astronomical ClockClock

AgricultureAgriculture Advances in farming contribute to Advances in farming contribute to

population growth.population growth. Main advance: Main advance: new strain of rice that new strain of rice that

produces two crops a year produces two crops a year (Champa (Champa rice).rice).

Trade and Foreign ContactsTrade and Foreign Contacts In early Tang period, In early Tang period, trade with the west trade with the west

was over the Silk Road.was over the Silk Road. During Tang decline, Chinese depend During Tang decline, Chinese depend

more on ocean trade routes.more on ocean trade routes. Trade stretches from Japan to Southeast Trade stretches from Japan to Southeast

Asia, India, Africa.Asia, India, Africa. Trade helps Buddhism spreadTrade helps Buddhism spread..

A Golden Age of A Golden Age of Poetry and ArtPoetry and Art Tang period Tang period

produces great produces great poetrypoetry, including , including works by Li Bo, and works by Li Bo, and Tu Fu.Tu Fu.

Song period known Song period known for brilliant for brilliant paintingpainting..

Changes in Chinese SocietyChanges in Chinese Society

Levels of SocietyLevels of Society Power of noble families fades.Power of noble families fades. Wealthy scholar-officials form new upper Wealthy scholar-officials form new upper

class, called the gentryclass, called the gentry.. Urban middle class below gentry in Urban middle class below gentry in

social structuresocial structure

The Status of WomenThe Status of Women Status of women always lower than Status of women always lower than

men in China.men in China. The The status falls even lower during status falls even lower during

Tang and Song periodsTang and Song periods.. Foot binding of upper-class girls Foot binding of upper-class girls

becomes a new custombecomes a new custom..