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11 Ap China Tang and Song Notes

Under the Sui dynasty, the construction of the Grand Canal linked northern and southern China, increasing trade and economic activity within the country. This development was most important in bringing China back to prominence after a period of disunity and instability. During the Tang dynasty, Empress Wu likely promoted Buddhism over other religions as it provided a justification for her rule as a woman in a strongly patriarchal society. Gunpowder technology and movable type printing had the greatest impact on Song dynasty society by enabling military innovations and mass dissemination of information. Some argue certain modern beauty standards or body modifications reflect the ideals of conformity and social status association with historical practices like foot binding in China.

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Halle Fransen
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128 views17 pages

11 Ap China Tang and Song Notes

Under the Sui dynasty, the construction of the Grand Canal linked northern and southern China, increasing trade and economic activity within the country. This development was most important in bringing China back to prominence after a period of disunity and instability. During the Tang dynasty, Empress Wu likely promoted Buddhism over other religions as it provided a justification for her rule as a woman in a strongly patriarchal society. Gunpowder technology and movable type printing had the greatest impact on Song dynasty society by enabling military innovations and mass dissemination of information. Some argue certain modern beauty standards or body modifications reflect the ideals of conformity and social status association with historical practices like foot binding in China.

Uploaded by

Halle Fransen
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHINA DURING THE

TANG & SONG DYNASTIES


China under Tang dynasty, 700 China under Song dynasty, 1142
 A. 220 – Han dynasty collapses
I. BEYOND
 For 350 years afterwards, more
ANCIENT
than 30 dynasties attempt rule
CHINA

 B. 589-618 CE: Sui Dynasty


 Restored centralized government
 Won critical support of
neighboring nomadic military
commanders
 Lowered taxes, built granaries to
ensure reserve food supply
 Construction of Grand Canal –
linked northern and southern
regions – increased
trade/economy within China
CHALLENGE QUESTION #1

Which of the developments under the Sui dynasty


most important in terms of bringing China back to
prominence?
 Complete sentences!
II. TANG DYNASTY (618-907)
 A. Prevented another long period of instability/chaos

 Expanded :
 1. Land! Took back northern and western lands lost
since Han, move into central Asia
 2. Confucian-based bureaucracy
 Expanded civil service exam – established Ministry of
Rites to oversee training of bureaucrats
 Open to all men (only wealthy usually progress)
 Education/position in gov’t more important than
nobility
 Scholar-gentry class more powerful than old
aristocratic families
• B. Empress Wu
• First/only woman to assume the title of Emperor in
China
• Ruling behind the scenes of her husband and sons
• Promoted Buddhism over other belief systems
throughout empire
• After Wu, severe backlash against Buddhism by

Confucian and Daoist scholars

• C. Decline of Tang dynasty


– Had trouble controlling vast empire
– Nomadic invasions, economic distress,
internal rebellions
– Last emperor of Tang dynasty
forced to resign in 907 C.E.
CHALLENGE QUESTION #2

Why was Buddhism important to Empress Wu?


Why do you think she choose it as the official
religion of her reign?
- Complete sentences!
III. SONG DYNASTY (960-1279)
 A. China divided again after Tang dynasty

Song dynasty established smaller empire than


Tang, no control over western lands, lost northern lands
 Nomadic peoples of north a constant problem
 Eventually pushed south of Huanghe (Yellow River)

 Continued focus on Confucianism


 Neo-Confucians – argued that virtue was obtained
through learning
 Despised foreign belief systems, ex. Buddhism

 Social harmony arose from keeping place and rank,


strictly patriarchal
 B. Slow decline from beginning
 Northern nomadic invaders, lack of military focus

 Late 11th century, neo-Confucians gained power in


gov’t, widespread corruption

 Economy began to deteriorate, social unrest


increased

 Territory pushed south by northern kingdoms,


became known as Southern Song dynasty
 Lasted another 150 years, but eventually fell to the
Mongols
IV. TECHNOLOGICAL & ECONOMIC ADVANCES
 Junks – large ships used for trade, establishing
tribute systems
• Movable type – movable, carved blocks for printing
• Gun powder – originally for fireworks, led to bombs,
canons, etc.
• Improved cultivation of rice and other agriculture

• Trade = more prominent in society


– Silk Roads, later ocean routes increase trade
– Paper money (flying money) reduced risk for
merchants
– Helped economy and spread of culture
CHALLENGE QUESTION #3

Which of the innovations/achievements do you


think had the greatest impact on society? Why?
 Complete sentences
V. BIG SOCIAL CHANGES
• A. China becomes more urban
– Ten cities with over 1 million people

• B. Changes to social classes


– Scholar-gentry – larger upper-class emerges
• Passing civil service exam =special status (jinshi)

• Could wear certain clothing, exempt from corporal

punishment
• Family name still influenced positions and success

– “Middle class” – merchants, skilled artisans, minor


officials
– Peasant farmers represented largest class
V. BIG SOCIAL CHANGES

• C. Status of women declined


– Neo-Confucians pushed for male dominance of family
and society
– Feet binding – became sign of wealth, prestige
CHALLENGE QUESTION#4

Do any modern-day practices resemble the practice


of foot-binding? Is there anything in our own
society that mirrors the ideals associated with foot-
binding?
 Complete sentences!

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