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