Tang and song dynasties

1. Post-Classical China Tang and song dynasties

2. Apply it! • We already know that the fall of Rome and Han China are VERY similar… • Large area was difficult to rule • Too much local control/weakened central control • Weak rulers • Peasant uprisings • High taxes • Barbarian Invasions • Soo…how do the events AFTER the follow mirror each other? In what was are they different?

3. Tang and Song Dynasties of China • After the collapse of the Han Dynasty, China experienced a period of turmoil and unrest • The constant fear of the Huns helped plunged China into disunity • As a result, several warring kingdoms arose and science, art, and culture declined • At the same time, Buddhism spread throughout China

4. Tang Dynasty Tang…this stuff is delicious! • Golden Age of China • Early rulers… • Suppressed uprisings • Reunited China • Revived Feudal System (what’s that?) • Brought peace and prosperity

5. Tang Dynasty • Continued some Han innovations • Census counts • Civil service exams (of Confucian ideals) • Built public works • Males received land from government • Peasants had to perform labor for imperial government and paid taxes in the form of grain or silk

6. Tang Dynasty Empress Wu Zetian built a capital at Chang’an, consulted officals for reforms and encouraged trade

7. Tang Dynasty • Advances in architecture, sculpture, painting and porcelain happened at this time • Contacts with India and the Middle East caused some cultural diffusion and continual advancement

8. Tang Dynasty • Under the Tang, Chinese developed gardens with rocks, streams and trees for contemplation • Tang China developed block printing, map making • The Silk Road became busier than ever before • Trading all these awesome goods! • Click here to learn more about the Silk Road

9. Song Dynasty • Following the fall of the Tang Dynasty, China shrank in size • The Song Dynasty emerged in the south • Song China continued to build upon the achievements of the Tang

10. Song Dynasty • One of the most brilliant cultural eras in Chinese History • Time of great social and economic progress • Paper money and coins! • Allowed people to pay taxes without using grain

11. Song Dynasty • Song eliminated forced labor for the emperor • These factors helped bring about an increase in farm production • Greater wealth for China’s people and government

12. Song Dynasty • Song China was most populous and advanced civilization of its day • Merchants, craftspeople, scholars lived in towns and cities • Song China engaged in trade with many parts of the world

13. Song Dynasty • The Grand Canal was built and connected Beijing, Hwang Ho and Yangtze rivers • Used to ship grain • Chinese goods were with Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Africa

14. Song Dynasty • Song scientists study astronomy, acupuncture, and mathematics • Song Dynasty introduced gunpowder, compass, and moveable type (but it didn’t take off…why not?)

15. Achievements of the Tang and Song Dynasties Technology Block printing, the crossbow, gunpowder and the abacus Click here to watch the abacus in action Compass The Chinese discovered that a magnetized needle-- floating points north/south. This helped sea trader determine direction while sailing The Arts Chinese artists perfected the art of making porcelains and painting with black ink on silk paper. Chinese poets and historians wrote important works.

16. Women in China • Tang and Song peoples followed traditional beliefs of Confucianism… • A woman must obey her father, husband and son • Girls left their families when they were married • The way to gain respect was to give birth to sons

17. Women in China • Foot binding began under the Song Dynasty and illustrates the desire to limit female mobility • Girls’ feet were found in tight bandages • This gave wealthy women small feet, which was considered attractive, but often made it difficult to walk

22. Click here for more info on Foot Binding