The Tang and Song Dynasties of China

1. The Tang and Song Dynasties of China

2. China experienced a similar dark age as Europe had experienced after the fall of Rome • This time is known as the Six Dynasties • China emerged from this dark period to become one of the world’s leading civilizations under the Tang Dynasty • Conquered Korea and Manchuria

3. Tang Dynasty (618-907) • The “Golden Age” of China • Used their military to suppress peasant uprisings and to reunited China • Empire had around 50 million people • Expanded trade on the Silk Road with Persia, Arabia, Japan and the Byzantine Empire

4. Tang Dynasty (618-907) • Reintroduced a civil service system to find candidates for government office • People took test to determine what position they could hold in public office • Government built roads and public works projects

5. Song Dynasty 960-1279 • The Song Dynasty arose after the fall of the Tang Dynasty • It was smaller then the Tang Empire • They expanded on the achievements of the Tang Dynasty

6. Song Dynasty 960-1279 • First people to use paper currency (money) • Used coins made of copper and iron

7. Song Dynasty (960-1279) • Eliminated forced labor • Very large increase in farm production which led to greater wealth for China and it’s people

8. Song Dynasty (960-1279) • Inventions in Science and Technology • The Compass • Discovered that a magnetized needle floating in water will always point north • Moveable type of printing • Able to print at a faster rate • Gunpowder • First to use gunpowder in combat

9. The Mongol Empire

10. The Mongol Empire • Central Asia • Steppes- Treeless grasslands that stretch from Eastern Europe to Northeast Asia

11. The Mongol Empire • Nomadic people (roamed the grasslands without a permanent home) • Developed excellent horsemanship and fierce fighting skills (archery) • Lived in yurts- domed tents that could be easily moved

12. The Mongol Empire • Like most nomads they were divided in several loosely organized tribes • Ghengis Khan united the tribes around 1206 • Khan began a career of conquest by attacking neighboring people beyond Mongolia

13. The Mongol Empire • They faced very little resistance from outside forces • 200,000+ skilled Mongol horsemen • They had sturdy stirrups, strong bamboo bows and giant catapults • Known for their fierce brutality, sometimes killing all defenders of a city if they refused to surrender

14. The Mongol Empire • Ghengis Khan was: • Tolerant of other religions within the territories he conquered • Promoted trade throughout the Mongol Empire • Ordered the creation of a written Mongol language • Leader of the largest empire the world had ever seen • Stretched from the Black Sea in Europe to the Pacific Ocean

15. The Mongol Empire • Pax Mongolia: People could safely travel and trade from one end of the empire to the other • The empire was so large it was divided into 4 separate kingdoms that were each ruled by Khan’s descendants

16. The Mongol Empire: The Yuan Dynasty • Kublai Khan: Genghis Khan’s grandson • Born a Mongolian but was fascinated with Chinese Culture • Reunited Northern and Southern China and encouraged Mongols to adapt Chinese ways

17. The Mongol Empire: Marco Polo • Merchant from Venice • Journeyed along the Silk Road and visited China in the 1270’s • He was astounded by Kublai Khan and the Mongol’s technological superiority over Europeans (used of gun powder and burning coal for heat)

18. The Mongol Empire: Influence on Russia • 13th century Mongol warriors conquered most of Russia • Controlled it for nearly 200 years • 1480: Ivan the Great declared Russia independent from Mongol Rule

19. Mongol Empire: Notes • Central Asia saw the rise of nomadic peoples who excelled at horsemanship and fighting skills • During 1200, the Mongols of Central Asia established the world’s largest empire • Ghengis Khan united Mongols and attacked China: promoted trade • Kublai Khan: established the Yuan Dynasty in China and visited with Marco Polo

20. Japan • Very mountainous • Protected by seas from foreign influences • Early history • Religion was important • Believed in Gods and spirits called Kami • Called Shinto Religion • Emperors

21. Modeled after Tang • Art • Science • Government • Fashion

22. Feudal Japan • Emperor was at top of chain • Shogun Controversy • Shoguns- Served emperor; Japanese ruling class • Struggle for power, Ashikaga claimed authority for Shoguns • Daimyo – local warlord, ranked below shogun • Samurai – warrior class, served daimyo • Peasants were lowest class

24. Korea • Korea’s history • Bridge from eastern Asia to neighboring island chains • Three kingdoms emerged in opposition to Chinese rule • Korea was unified under the Silla Dynasty • The growth of Korean culture • Reflected many elements of Chinese culture • Written language, Buddhism, civil service exams, dynasties

25. Southeast Asia • Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam • Vietnam influenced by China • Mahayana Buddhism • Other nations adopted both Chinese and Indian traditions • Theraveda Buddhism • Written languages - Sanskrit • Architecture – Angkor Watin Cambodia