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Explore the historical period of the Sui to Song Dynasties in China. Learn about the land redistribution system, unified coinage, and the establishment of a professional army. Discover the financial stress and strained resources faced during this time. Explore the advancements in printing, porcelain, and gunpowder during the Tang Dynasty. Dive into the reign of Empress Wu Zetian and the practice of foot-binding. Understand the causes of the decline of the Tang Dynasty and the rise of the Song Dynasty, with its emphasis on education and the creation of a merchant middle class.
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Chinese Renaissance: Sui to Song Dynasties
Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E. • “Land Equalization” System –> land redistribution • Unified coinage • Established army of professional soldiers • People were overworked and overtaxed!
Financial Stress • War for Korea further strains finances • Grand Canal constructed • Strained financial resources
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E. • High point of Chinese history • Imperial examination system perfected • Liberal attitude towards all religions • Spread of Buddhism in China • Golden Age of foreign relations with other countries • Japan, Korea, Persia
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E. • New technologies: • Printing --> moveable print • Porcelain • Gunpowder • Mechanical clocks • More cosmopolitan culture • Reestablished safety of Silk Road • Tea came into China from Southeast Asia
Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705 • Only Chinese Empress to rule alone • Searched for outstanding individuals to attract to her court • Constructed new irrigation systems • Buddhism was favored statereligion • Financed building of many Buddhist temples • BUT… She appointed cruel and sadistic ministers to seek out her enemies
Foot-Binding in Tang China • Broken toes by 3 years of age. • Size 5 ½ shoe on the right
Foot-Binding in Tang China Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.
Foot-Binding in Tang China • For upper-class girls, it became new custom
End of Tang Dynasty • Causes of decline • Misrule • Court intrigues • Economic exploitation • Rebellions • Made it possible for northern invaders to defeat them • Next 50 years saw fragmentation of China • Five northern dynasties • Ten southern kingdoms
Song [Sung] Dynasty,960-1279 C.E. • Creation of urban, merchant middle class • Neo-Confucianists wanted to purify Confucianism • Increased emphasis on education & cheaper availability of printed books • Magnetic compassmade China great sea power!
Confucian Inspired Sayings • "Women are to be led and to follow others.“ • "A woman ruler is like a hen crowing.“ • "Woman's greatest duty is to produce a son."
Confucian Inspired Sayings • "We should not be too familiar with the lower orders or with women." • "The woman with no talent is the one who has merit.“ • "Those who cannot be taught, cannot be instructed. These are women and eunuchs."
Confucian Inspired Sayings • "A husband can marry twice, but his wife must never remarry.“ • "Man is honored for strength; a woman is beautiful on account of her gentleness." • "Disorder is not sent down by Heaven, it is produced by women."
Chinese Renaissance: Sui to Song Dynasties