2013 Chinese Dynasties

1. 2013 Chinese Dynasties

2. Pronunciations • Huang He hwahng he • Shang shong • Zhou Joe • Loess less • Henan hey – nahn • Wei way • Qin chin

3. A Dynasty isa line of rulers that come from the same family An aristocrat is anoble, or upper class person, whose wealth comes from their land Key Terms….

4. China’s history is usually divided into time periods based on the rule of different dynasties. A ‘dynasty’ is a ruling family that passes the power to rule down through the generations. These rulers were thought to be ‘divine’, or actual gods, and thus were obeyed without question.

5. Three Kingdoms 220 A.D.- 265 A.D. After the collapse of the Later Han Dynasty in 220, without a strong central government, warlords begin to rise and fight each other for land, plunging China into a state ofanarchy, establishing their boundaries from their conquered lands.China split into three kingdoms- Wei, Shu, and Wu. It was militarily unstable configuration and Inner China was reunited in AD 265 by the Western Jin Dynasty, the successors of the Wei.

6. Warlord Sun Jian found the Imperial Seal and kept it secretly for himself, further weakening royal authority. Warlord Cao Cao and Liu Bei were also starting to build up power. Liu Bei, along with his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, pledge to do their best for the country. Liu Bei later recruits the genius strategist Zhu Ge Liang and builds up his forces against Cao Cao. “The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been.” ~ 羅貫中 Luo, GuanzhongRomance of the Three Kingdoms

7. Jin Dynasty 265 A.D.– 420 A.D. The Jìn Dynasty, was founded by the Wanyan (完顏 Wányán) clan of the Jurchens, the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later.

8. Sixteen Kingdoms(Wu Hu Period) 304 A.D.- 443 A.D. This was one of the most devastating periods in Chinese history. Following a long period of Chinese dominance since the Qin Dynasty. five northern tribes (Wu Hu)had been established in North China (匈奴 Xiongnu/Hun, 鲜卑 Xianbe, 羯 Jie, 羌 Qiang, 氐 Di). The Wu Hu uprising took over much of the Chinese heartland. It did not end until Jin reclaimed much of central China while Northern Wei took over the areas north of the Yellow River.

9. Southern and Northern Dynasties 420 A.D. – 589 A.D. The Southern and Northern Dynastieswas an age of civil war and political disunity. However it was also a time of flourishing in the arts and culture, advancement in technology, and the spread of Buddhism and native Daoism.

10. Sui Dynasty

11. The Period of Disunion Civilization Thrived • Nomads invaded northern China, formed own kingdoms • Many northern Chinese fled south to region of Yangzi River • A number of southern dynasties rose, fell • Despite these events, Chinese civilization thrived, developed • Nomadic invaders in north adopted aspects of Chinese civilization • Northern Chinese immigrants’ culture blended with local cultures in south; arts, philosophy flowered Sui and Tang Dynasties The Han dynasty ruled China from 206 BC to AD 220—more than 400 years. After the dynasty collapsed, military leaders split China into rival kingdoms. These events began a period of disorder and warfare that historians call the Period of Disunion. The Period of Disunion lasted more than 350 years, ending when a northern ruler named Wendi reunified China, founding the Sui dynasty.

13. Sui Dynasty 581 A.D. – 618 A.D. The Sui Dynasty held its capital at Luoyang. It was marked by the reunification of Southern and Northern China. The Equal-Field system was initiated to reduce the rich-poor social gap. The system worked on the basis that all land was owned by the government, which would then assign it to individual families.

14. Grand Canal Centralized Government • Greatest accomplishment of Sui dynasty, completed during reign of Yangdi, Wendi’s son • 1,000 mile waterway linked northern, southern China • Yangdi forced millions of peasants to work on canal; led to discontent, rebellion • 618, Yangdi assassinated, Sui dynasty ended • Wendi worked to build centralized government • Restored order, created new legal code, reformed bureaucracy • Created policies to provide adult males with land, ensure availability of grain The Sui Dynasty

15. Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E. • “Land Equalization” System  land redistribution. • Unified coinage. • Grand Canal constructed. • Established an army of professional soldiers. • People were overworked and overtaxed!

16. The Grand Canal

17. Canals • The world’s first transport contour canal was constructed in China in the 3rd century BCE on the orders of Shi Huangdi. • “The Magic Canal” (Lingqu) • Linked the Xiang and Li Rivers. • The “Grand Canal,” begun in 330 BCE, was completed during the Yuan dynasty (1293). • Both canals are still in use in China.

18. The Grand Canal Today

19. Tang Dynasty

20. The Tang Dynasty • Period of Brilliance • Tang dynasty ruled 618 to 907; Chinese influence spread • China experienced period of brilliance, prosperity, cultural achievement • Government, other institutions served as models across East Asia • Built on Sui Foundations • Established capital at Chang’an, Sui capital • Second capital located at Luoyang • Government control remained centralized, based on bureaucracy of officials • Civil Service • To obtain talented officials, Tang expanded civil service examination system • People had to pass written exams to work for government • Created flexible law code; model for law codes in Korea, Japan

21. Foreign Affairs • Tang expanded China, Chinese influence • Regained western lands in Central Asia, gained influence over Korea • Contact with Japan increased; Japanese scholars came to China to study • Expansion, increased contact with others grew foreign trade • Expansion • Much of expansion occurred during reign of Taizong, 626 to 649 • Taizong relied on talented ministers to help govern • In addition to military conquests, Taizong had schools built to prepare students for civil service exams • After his death, one of his sons became emperor

22. Wu Zhao New emperor was weak, sickly • Emperor’s wife, Wu Zhao gained power • Following death of husband • Wu Zhao ruled through her sons • Eventually became emperor herself—the only woman to do so in Chinese history • Wu Zhao overthrown, 705 • Dynasty reached height under Xuanzong • During reign, 712 to 756, empire prospered

24. Tang Dynasty618 A.D.- 907 A.D. At the end of Sui Dynasty, the whole country fell into chaos due to the tyranny of Emperor. Rebellions roused by peasants were everywhere. One of the generals, Li Shih-min, took over ruling the empire, and established Tang Dynasty. Historians regard the Tang Dynasty as a high point in Chinese civilization. The Tang period was the golden age of literature and art. Tang rule perfected a government system supported by a large class of Confucian literati selected through civil service examinations.

25. The Tang dynasty was established by one of Yangdi’s generals. • The Tang dynasty ruled for about 300 years, from A.D. 618 to A.D. 907. • The Tang dynasty brought about many reforms to improve government.

26. Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E. • 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

27. Tang Government Organization

28. The Tang Dynasty (618-907) is the second great dynasty (of Chinese history that was able to unify a vast territory, to spread its culture and to absorb the cultures of surrounding states and peoples. Tang set it’s capital in Chang'an 長安 (modern Xian 西安). Trade stretched to the South East Asian archipelago, and the religion of Buddhism spread to Korea and Japan.

29. Reforms are changes that bring improvements. • One of the most powerful Tang emperors was Taizong. • He reinstated the civil service examination. • Empress Wu was a ruler in the Tang dynasty who strengthened China’s military. • The Tang dynasty expanded China’s empire and regained much of its power in Asia. • By the mid-A.D. 700s, the Turks began to threaten the Tang dynasty’s hold in Asia.

30. Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705 • The only female Empress in China’s history who ruled alone.  • Searched for outstanding individuals to attract to her court. • Construction of new irrigation systems. • Buddhism was the favored statereligion. • Financed the building of many Buddhist temples. • BUT… She appointed cruel and sadistic ministers to seek out her enemies.

31. They took control of central Asia and the Silk Road, damaging China’s economy. • The Tang dynasty weakened and fell. • A Chinese general established the Song dynasty, which ruled for about 300 years, from A.D. 960 to A.D. 1279.

32. The Tang dynasty strengthened China’s economy by supporting farming and trade. • The Chinese developed new technologies, such as steelmaking and printing. • During the Tang and the Song dynasties, China enjoyed a golden age of art and literature.

33. A Growing Economy • The political stability under the Tang dynasty helped the economy regain strength. • As peace was restored, farmers were able to make advances and be more productive. • They improved irrigation, introduced new ways of growing crops, and developed new kinds of rice.

34. Farmers began growing tea, which became a popular drink. • New roads and waterways helped increase trade with other parts of Asia. • The Silk Road became a busy trade route again. • Silk fabric was one item traded by the Chinese, as well as tea, steel, paper, and porcelain, which is fine clay baked at high temperatures.

35. Changes in Agriculture

36. Why agriculture changed in China… • Farmers moved to the south, a good region for growing rice • New type of rice was introduced • An improved plow and harrow were developed • Farmers fertilized their crops

37. Growth of Trade & Commerce

38. Why commerce developed in China… • There was a vast system of rivers & canals • Improvements in navigation made long sea voyages easier • Wealthy landowners demanded more goods • Paper currency helped trade

39. Urbanization

40. Reasons for urbanization in China… • People came to the city to trade as commerce increased • Large landowners moved to cities because they preferred the shops & social life there

41. Put in the correct order… • A new type of rice allows farmers to plant at least two crops of rice per year. • Rice production increases. • Landowners become wealthier • Landowners have money for luxury items. • Small traders bring more luxury items to local markets. • Large cities develop.

42. Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E. • New technologies: • Printing moveable print  • Porcelain • Gunpowder • Mechanical clocks • More cosmopolitan culture. • Reestablished the safety of the Silk Road. • Tea comes into China from Southeast Asia. 

43. Foot-Binding in Tang China • Broken toes by 3 years of age. • Size 5 ½ shoe on the right

44. Foot-Binding in Tang China Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.

45. Foot-Binding in Tang China • For upper-class girls, it became a new custom.

46. The Results of Foot-Binding

47. Tang Dynasty618-907 • Created programs to help the poor • Created gunpowder- Fireworks! • Brought back the Civil service exam • Open to all men, but only the rich could afford the education • Must be knowledgeable in Confucianism • Only 1 in 5 passed

48. Aristocracy: The Tang Dynasty Mertiocracy: The Song Dynasty • Who were scholar-officials? • Scholars that got government jobs through examinations • What was the examination for scholar-officials primarily based on? • Based on the teachings of Confucius • Why did aristocrats continue to hold most offices? • Only wealthy could afford tutors, books, & time to study needed to prepare for the exams • According to emperors & scholars, knowledge of Confucius would produce what type of government official? • People who had studied Confucius would be rational, moral, & able to maintain order • What new group of people were allowed to become government officials during the Song Period? • Lower classes • Why did people want government jobs? • More respect & were excused from taxes & military service

49. The Age of Buddhism • From India • Buddhism first came to China from India during Han times • During Period of Disunion many Chinese turned to Buddhism • Taught people could escape suffering, appealed to people in turmoil • State Religion • Under Tang rule, Buddhism became state religion • Buddhist temples appeared across land, missionaries spread Buddhism • 400 to 845 in China, Age of Buddhism; ended when lost official favor • Tang Decline • 750s, decline began, government weak, nomadic invasions, rebellions • Military defeats lost Tang lands in Central Asia and the north • 907, emperor killed, Tang dynasty ended

50. Five Dynasties 907 A.D. – 960 A.D. Ten Kingdoms 920 A.D. - 979 A.D. Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms was an era of political upheaval in China, between the fall of the Tang Dynasty and the founding of the Song Dynasty. During this period, five dynasties quickly succeeded one another in the north, and more than 10 independent states were established, mainly in the south.