Imperial China 589–1368

1. 8 Imperial China 589–1368

2. Imperial China 589–1368 • Reestablishment of Empire: Sui (589–618) and Tang (618–907) Dynasties • Transition to Late Imperial China: The Song Dynasty (960–1279) • China in the Mongol World Empire: The Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368)

3. Imperial China 589–1368 • Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui • Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty • Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire • Group 4 – pages 199-201: The Tang Culture • Group 5 – pages 202-208: The Song • Group 6 – pages 209-212: The Yuan • Group 7 – pages 212-213: The end

4. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui Sui Wendi: Founded the Sui Dynasty ● Mixed ChineseTurkic ancestry ● Under his rule all went well ● Palaces Built ● Great Wall rebuilt ● Peace maintained with Turkish tribes ● Eastern Turkish chiefs given to Chinese princesses 2nd Sui Emperor ● Led to hostilities and wars ● Natural Disasters ● Court bankruptcy, demoralized and rebellions broke out ● Founder of Tang empire was related to Sui empress

5. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui 1) (Short Answer) How did the Sui Dynasty compare to the Qin Dynasty. Explain How they were alike. Answer: Many historians believe that the Sui Dynasty and Qin Dynasty were much alike. They both created unity after bringing China to a single government. They were both short-lived dynasties based around the military. The falls of these two governments were caused by a rebellion. Then replaced by a long lasting Dynasty. Pg. 193 194

6. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui 2) (Short Answer) How did Sui Wendi impact the Sui dynasty compared to the second Sui emperor? Answer: Sui Wendi was a general of ChineseTurkic descent. He founded the Sui Dynasty in 589 C.E. As a ruler, Sui Wendi was quite successful. The Great Wall was rebuilt, palaces were built, peace was maintained between the Chinese and the Turkic tribes that were situated along the Chinese border. The relationship between the Turkics and Chinese were strengthened because of the arranged marriages between Turkic generals and Chinese princesses. When compared to Sui Wendi, the second ruler of the Sui dynasty was not as successful as the first. Under his rule, natural disasters would frequently occur, hostilities and wars broke out because of the Chinese’s attempt to involve themselves in Steppe politics. The court experienced bankruptcy and was morally discouraged. Rebellions started coming one after another. This lead to fall of the Sui dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty. Pg 193 194

7. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui

8. Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty ●Sui capital renamed Chang’an ● Dynasty spread through China ● Emperor was first a provincial governor, then rebel general ● Three main government Bodies. ○ Military affairs – supervised army. ○ Council of State – Managed policies and met daily with emperor. ○ Censorate – watched government behavior, had power to remove emperor ●Council of State was made of three smaller branches. ○ Secretariat, Chancellery, and State affairs. ● Recruitment of officials favored aristocrats. ● All land was property of emperor ○ Land was distributed to farmers ○ Taxes paid in grain and labor ○ Aristocrats received exceptions and grains

9. Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty ● Wu Zhou ○ Young concubine who charmed weak emperor ○ Ruled as regent then deposed her son ○ Only female empress ○ Ruled for 22 years ○ Buddhist, saw herself as a messiah ○ Built Buddhist temples all over ○ Turned to Scholars of the North Gate, broadened government ● Xuan Zong ○ Reformed government finances ○ Repaired Grand Canal ○ Confucianist

10. Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty ● Chang’an (Imperial City) ○ Administrative center based on taxes ○ Designed to show power ○ Trade center ○ Population of about 50 million, largest city at the time

11. Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty 1. How did Wu Zhao manage to become emperor? (pg 195) She was first a concubine to the second emperor. She then seduced his heir and became his empress. The emperor then suffered with a stroke and she dominated the court. When he died she became the regent and finally emperor by usurping her son. Each time she moved up in the ranks she did so in steps so that the transition was smoother and people were more accepting of her as emperor. 2. What were the three most important sects under the emperor in the Tang Dynasty? Describe them. (pg 194) The three most important sects under the emperor in the Tang dynasty were the Military Affairs, Council of State, and the Censorate. The Military Affairs was the commander in chief of the armies in that he ruled over along with the emperor. The Council of State being the most important sect met with the emperor on a daily basis. The Council of State is made up with the head Secretariats. Lastly the Censorate was the watchdog of not only every day citizen, but even the emperor.

12. Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty

13. Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire ● The threats to the Tangs, were Tibetan (west), Turks(North), and the Khitan Mongols. ● The Tang state established a four tier policy which included four things to protect their borders ○ sending out armies to attack the turks ○ they used nomads against other nomads ○ defense along the chinese border including the great wall ○ bringing the potential enemies into the empire as a tributary ● Emperors were weak and the borders contracted ● China became a model for other nations in Asia

14. Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire ● Middle of the eighth century ○ Decline started ○ Other countries started to turn against them ○ Eventually lead to shutdown caravan trade and a rebellion ● New emperor took over after rebellion, turks looted chang’an in return for help ● China smaller, but had better military and was more stable ● New tax system, fixed quota for each province (lasted until 16th Century) ● Government got even weaker as time passed ● By 9th century China had much inner turmoil and the government was crumbling ● By the 880s China had been split up by warlords, government had fallen apart ● Within 50 years a new dynasty arose ● Didn't stay separated like after the Han dynasty

15. Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire 1st Q: What does Li Bo’s poem represent about the armies of the Tang Dynasty? 1st A: Li Bo’s poem represented two things about the Tang armies. The first was how taxing it was mainly to send men out to the battlefield. The second point was that most of the warriors died in battle, so the soldiers are just being sent to be slaughtered.

16. Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire 2nd Q: How did the 4 tiered defense system help protect China’s borders from foreign invaders? 2nd A: • The 1st tier helped them by keeping the enemy in their places. It showed the power China had and how much control it had over its own military. • The 2nd made the tribes outside of China focus on each other and that primarily made them leave China alone. • The 3rd tier kept the invaders at bay so that China could regroup and make a new military plan. • The last tier was making them a tributary, so that they would rely mostly on China and not want to fight with the country they were dependent upon.

17. Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire

18. Group 4 – pages 199-201: The Tang Culture Tang Culture ● India and Asia influenced China throughout trade, lifestyle, and religion. Indian and Asian music nearly erased Tang music ● Religion was a large aspect of daily life. ○ China developed a church establishment similar to the one in Europe ○ Churches were also schools, inns, and bathhouses ○ Buddhism thrived under the Tang ● Buddhist sects ○ Maitreya: Buddhist extremists ○ Amitabha Buddha: Study of Amitabha to reach enlightenment ○ Zen: Reaching enlightenment through labor Daoist views spread through poetry and secular movement.

19. Group 4 – pages 199-201: The Tang Culture • How did the Buddhist church influence life in China during the Tang Dynasty in more ways than just religion? The church controlled medicinal trade, the bank, education, and the afterlife. The control on the medicinal trade would have impacted the Chinese because that means medicine could have been forged, faked, over produced or falsely advertised because of the common religion. The church controlled the people’s money meaning if a divine reason was given, the church could most likely take the money. Since the church commanded the education of China’s youth would have led to the raising of more buddhist youth, therefore spreading the religion. (P. 199)

20. Group 4 – pages 199-201: The Tang Culture • During the Tang Dynasty, the Buddhist religion went under its golden age within China. Did this golden age stop, slow, or progress other religions and philosophies, why? The Tang dynasty progressed other religions by influencing other philosophies and beliefs. As Secular art grew Daoist writings and teachings started to develop and spread. Two main contenders to the spread of Daoism were Li Bo and Du Fu. These poets spread their Daoist views in their poetry. These writings were so successful because they discussed pleasantries that all people in China enjoyed, including wine, nature, and beauty. (P. 200201)

21. Group 5 – pages 202-208: The Song Agricultural Revolution of the song: From Serfs to Free Farmers ● The fading of aristocracy influenced the power of farmers and the district magistrate. This changes the taxes and laws. ● Changes: ○ End of the equal field system, which gave cultivators more independence of land. ○ Taxes changed from paying in grain, to paying with money. ○ Conscription disappeared and was replaced with a trained army. ○ New commercial crops appeared. ○ Tea and cotton became more common.

22. Group 5 – pages 202-208: The Song Commercial Revolution of the Song ● Technological Advances ○ The abacus ○ Gunpowder was used in projectiles and grenades ○ Improvements made in textiles and porcelain ○ In the north, coal was used in blast furnaces for iron and steel smelting Led to improvements in tools and weapons ○ Printing began- used carved seals Earliest woodblock text used to print Buddhist subjects appeared in 7th century

23. Group 5 – pages 202-208: The Song Commercial Revolution of the Song ● Trade and Currency ○ During the Tang, mainly silk ○ In the Northern Song, copper coins were used; holes put in the center ■ 1,000 coins on a string used for large transactions ○ In Southern Song, silver coins made to complement the copper ones ○ Populations quadrupled ○ Raw materials imported, finished goods exported Government: From Aristocracy To Autocracy ● China’s age of monarchy/autocracy after Tang ● Revenues peaked ● Examinations System for becoming government official

24. Group 5 – pages 202-208: The Song Song Culture - Best culture of China - Poetry, philosophy, painting, history - Zhu Xi and Neo-Confucianism with Buddhist elements - Su Dungpo, great poet - Conservative versus reformers - Chinese art, painting and calligraphy related

25. Group 5 – pages 202-208: The Song • How did Zhu Xi influence Confucianism? • Had elements of Buddhism • More otherworldly features • Neo-Confucianism used in examinations

26. Group 5 – pages 202-208: The Song • How did the fading power of aristocracy in the beginning of the Song empire influence the agricultural aspect and government aspect of the empire? • Farmers rising in power • Taxes in money instead of grain • Conscription replaced with professional army • End of equal field system • New commercial crops • Tea and cotton more common • Increased authority of the district magistrate • Appearance of the scholar-gentry class.

27. Group 6 – pages 209-212: The Yuan Notes Part l ● The Mongols created the greatest empire in the world. ● Nomadic people, herded sheep and horses, clans made up of tribes. ● Large because of expansion. ● Called themselves the “people of the felt tents.” ● Mongol women were more free than Chinese women. ● Founder: Temujin/Genghis Khan, born 1167 ● Language: Altaic ● Raided for wealth, and riches ● Worshipped nature deities, and supreme sky god ● Shamans- religious specialists ● Conquered vastly denser populations

28. Group 6 – pages 209-212: The Yuan Notes Part ll ● Organized armies into “myriads.” ● Great military tactics, adapted and adopted other military tactics. ● They were able to conquer quickly and covered vast distances thanks to their mobility and prowess in battle. ● Used terror as a weapon. ←-very effective ● Had strengths other than their military. ● Genghis designed laws to prevent warring from the tribes that would undermine the empire. Followers were extremely loyal. ● Lacked religious zeal, yet still able to successfully conquer. ● Demonstrated the pattern that nomadic outsiders were threats to China. ● Kublai Khan- mixtures of Chinese and Mongolian culture. ● ~400,000 Mongols lived in China during Yuan period, had to stay separate to remain in control. “Uneasy symbiosis.” ● Communication through interpreters, didn’t learn each other’s languages. ● Without cooperation of Chinese officials, Mongol rule would’ve been impossible.

29. Group 6 – pages 209-212: The Yuan Questions • How did the Mongols stay in power during the Yuan period without proper communication (didn’t speak each other’s languages) in China? • Using the information you have learned from the previous chapter, which Chinese philosophy(ies) do you think the Mongols demonstrated based on the information in this chapter? (Confucianism, Legalism, Buddhism, Daoism, etc.)

30. Group 6 – pages 209-212: The Yuan • While the Mongols were in control in China, many didn’t learn to speak Chinese, nor did the local people attempt to learn Mongolian. They did have interpreters, but this was a significant lack of communication. And yet, they were able to stay in power. They used military force and fear tactics to rule. However, they also continued to rule because local Chinese officials were running the government, and dealing with the people, while the Mongols simply ruled over them. So the Mongol’s power was more of a title, than an actual role. The Chinese may have been allowed to continue governing themselves because of the Mongol’s choice not to learn the local language. Because the Mongols were only able to stay in power because of the cooperation of the Chinese officials, their collapse was partly due to the lack of support from them. Perhaps if better communication had taken place, a better support foundation would have been formed, leading to the extended rule of the Mongols. (pages 209 and 212)

31. Group 6 – pages 209-212: The Yuan Mongols demonstrated based on the information in this chapter? (Confucianism, Legalism, Buddhism, Daoism, etc.)The Mongols believed in nature deities and a supreme sky god, as well as having religious specialists called shamans that communicated with the gods. This is very similar to the Daoist emphasis on nature. However, in contrast to this, they were also seemed partly Legalist because of the value they placed on expansion and a centralized government rather than on the well-being of their people, and the people they conquered. This shows that they were probably more Legalist than Daoist, as they were more cruel and militaristic

32. Group 7 – pages 212-213: The end Foreign Contacts and Chinese Culture ● Diplomacy and trade connected China with western civilizations ● The Chinese Influenced the other civilizations with their: 1. Silk 2. Pottery 3. Knowledge of printing 4. Way of painting 5. Style ● Marco Polo introduced China to Europe through his writings ● Because of Polo, Christopher Columbus wanted to search for this land full of culture and wealth

33. Group 7 – pages 212-213: The end The Mongols highly tolerated other religions, and because of this, many different religions were introduced to their people: 1. Christianity (Nestorian) 2. Buddhism (both Tibetan and Chinese) 3. Islam 4. Even Confucianism was thought of as a religion ● The monks and teachers of each of these religions were exempt from paying taxes

34. Group 7 – pages 212-213: The end ● Despite having wide contacts with other peoples and religions, the Chinese culture was only influenced a little. 1. China had little to learn from other areas 2. The centers of Chinese culture were in the south, which were the areas least affected by the Mongols ● Theater arts during the Yuan was flourishing 1. Men played the parts of women 2. Plays always ended with a happy ending

35. Group 7 – pages 212-213: The end Last Years of the Yuan ● Shortest of China’s major dynasties ● The Mongols believed the khans were becoming too Sinicized (Chinese) ● The government started to become corrupt, and the generals did not do anything to prevent the fall of the dynasty Problems Which Led to the Fall of the Dynasty ● Problems arose in the countryside, too 1. Taxes were heavy 2. Flooding of the Yellow River 3. Land officials were corrupt 4. Rebellions occurred 4. Military commanders tried to end the rebellions, but failed ● The Mongol empire ended when the emperor fled to Shangdu (Mongolia) out of fear

36. Group 7 – pages 212-213: The end • How was Chinese culture influential to other cultures? How was it influenced by other cultures? What was Chinese culture like under the Mongols? (Page 212) Diplomacy and trade helped connect Europe and China. Trade spread many Chinese ideas, knowledge, cultures, and even people. Chinese communities would start to show up in major trading centers expanding their influence on other cultures. Due to trade camel caravans started up in China and port cities enlarged. Chinese art was a huge influence to the art of other cultures including the Persians who were inspired by ceramics and paintings. Medicine, knowledge of printing and gunpowder were adopted by other cultures and used to make life easier. At this point Asia was a huge influence on many cultures but Europe remained in the dark. (continued next slide)

37. Group 7 – pages 212-213: The end Before Marco Polo documented his travels in China Europeans had not thought much of other cultures. In fact they were in disbelief when they were told that tons of wealth and culture was outside Europe altogether. Marco Polo’s book did end bringing popularity to the geography in China and many explorers including Marco Polo set off to explore Asia. Another explorer, Ibn Battuta, also documented his travels through the Mongol world giving a bigger picture of what Chinese culture was like. Different religions influenced China. Under the Mongols a variety of different religions were tolerated. One of these religions was Nestorian Christianity which came to China from Persia. Churches appeared in cities and missions came from Rome. Tibetan Buddhism was the favorite of the Mongols. Priests and monks from any religion were not taxed. Religion became extremely important and even philosophies such as Confucianism were considered religions.

38. Group 7 – pages 212-213: The end • What contributed to the fall of the Yuan Dynasty? (Name two and explain) • Heavy taxes were placed, but when the people tried to pay their taxes, the government did not accept the payments because the money became valueless • Land officials were corrupt • Rebellions • The emperor fled out of fear • Natural disasters (the flooding of the Yellow River)

39. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui • Pg 192 • Sui & Tang = Second empire • Song = Third empire • Yuan = Fourth empire • Tang= The favorite dynasty • ● Influenced others: Japan, Korea, 7 Vietnam • ● Also well known • for their poetry • Song= Rivaled the Tang in the arts • ● During this time, it was China’s great age of painting and philosophy • ● Not militarily strong, but had important commercial revolution • Yuan= Short lived • dynasty • ● Ruled by the Mongols • ● Became the most important unit in the largest empire the world has yet seen

40. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui • Pg 192 • Sui & Tang = Second empire • Song = Third empire • Yuan = Fourth empire • Tang= The favorite dynasty • ● Influenced others: Japan, Korea, 7 Vietnam • ● Also well known • for their poetry • Song= Rivaled the Tang in the arts • ● During this time, it was China’s great age of painting and philosophy • ● Not militarily strong, but had important commercial revolution • Yuan= Short lived • dynasty • ● Ruled by the Mongols • ● Became the most important unit in the largest empire the world has yet seen

41. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui • Pg 193 • The Sui • Sui Wendi • ● Talented general of mixed ChineseTurkic ancestry • ● Came to power & began the Sui dynasty • ● Unified the north, restored tax base, reestablished a centralized bureaucratic • government • ● Went on to conquer south China • ● Huge palaces arose in Wei valley capital • ● Great Wall was rebuilt • ● Grand Canal was constructed linking the Yellow and Yangtze rivers • ● This enabled northern conquers to tap the wealth of central and southern China • ● Peace was maintained with Turkic tribes • ● Second Sui emperor was also constructive • ● Attempted to meddle in steppe politics leading to hostilities and wars • ● Court became bankrupt and demoralized • ● Rebellions broke out • ● This led to the short lived Sui dynasty • ● Like the Qin, the Sui did too much too quickly

42. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui • pg 194 • With the first Tang emperor taking over the Sui dynasty, he renamed the capital Chang'an. • Extended its authority all over China • First Tang Emperor had been a provincial governor before he became a rebel general, and appointed officials. • Aggressive Chinese army campaigns pushed Chinese borders. • Government was consisted of the main parties, Censorate, Military Affairs, and Council of State, and minor parties like the Six Ministries. • Each part of government worked in unison. • Military Affairs= supervise the Tang armies with the emperor, the commander in chief • Censorate= reported instances of misgovernment directly to the emperor, also remonstrate with the emperor when it considered his behavior improper • Council of State= most important body, met up daily with the emperor and was made up of the heads of the Secretariat which drafted policies, the Chancellery which reviewed them, and State Affairs which carried them out. • Six Ministries continued as the core of the central government • The Tang Empire conquered and rebuilt what the Sui lost. • The Tang had a complex set of government organizations. • Land was recollected by emperors, and was later distributed to farmers. • A land­tax “equal field system” was created, and confirmed the state holdings.

43. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui • Questions: • 1. In what ways did the Tang government improve the securities of their empire, and its people? • 2. Who was the first emperor of the Sui Dynasty, and how did he unify China?

44. Group 1 – pages 192-194: Sui • Answers: • 1.) The government of the Tang Empire was an overlapping system of security. The organization of the government allowed each branch to have posed authority amongst themselves, and above its citizens. The Censorate reported instances of misgovernment of/to the emperor. The Council of State drafted policies, and once reviewed by the Chancellery, was carried out by State Affairs. The Council of State met with the emperor daily, and ensured that governments were in order, and its citizens satisfied. • 2.) The first emperor of the Sui dynasty was Sui Wendi. To unify China, he first unified the north, then restored the tax base, reestablished a single, centralized bureaucratic government, and went on to conquer southern China. He also rebuilt the Great Wall and constructed the Grand Canal linking the Yellow and Yangzi rivers.

45. Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty • Important Facts: • 1. The Tang dynasty was extremely well organized and long lasting. • 2. The three highest levels of government after the emperor were, Military Affairs, the council of state, and the Censorate. • 3. The censorate were a branch of government that reported instances of misgovernment and advised the emperor. • 4. The three branches of the Council of State are: Secretariat, State Affairs, and Chancellery. • 5. Wu Zhao ascended to the power of emperor, and was the only female to hold that title in Chinese history. • 6. Xuan Zong was the emperor after Wu. He reformed government finances and his reign is considered “culturally brilliant.” • 7. Chang’an emerged as the capital and administrative center in the Tang Dynasty.

46. Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty • Key Questions • 1. Q: Name and describe the three highest levels of government, after the emperor, in the Tang Dynasty. • 2. Q: How did the Secretariat, State Affairs, and Chancellery work together?

47. Group 2 – pages 194-196: The Tang Dynasty • A: The Military affairs supervised the Tang armies with the emperor. The Censorate had watchdog functions such as reporting times when the government mistreated its people and advising the emperor. The Council of State was the most important branch of government and made up the next three levels of government. (p. 194) • A: The Secretariat branch drafted policies which the Chancellery then reviewed them. After the Chancellery reviewed policies presented by the Secretariat branch, the State Affairs would then carry them out. (p. 194)

48. Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire • To protect its border, they employed a four tier policy • ● First tier Sent • armies to protect borders • ● Second tier Used nomads against other nomads • ● Third tier Have a defence against China’s borders including Great Wall • ● Fourth tier Bring a potential enemy into the empire as a tributary In 8th century, China began to decline • ● Tribes in Manchuria became unruly • ● Tibetans threatening borders • ● Overtaxed army • ● Sogdian general led a rebellion that swept through northern China • ● Emperor fled to Sachuwan and chased after a girl, losing the ability to • rule

49. Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire After a decade of wars, a new emperor restored the dynasty with the help of the Uighur Turks ● Uighurs got to loot Chang’an as a reward Most important reform was that of the land system ● Replaced the equal field system with a tax collected twice a year Government began weakening further (9th century half and forward) ● Autonomous provinces ● Wars, bandits, droughts, uprisings ● By 880’s warlords had carved all of china into independent kingdoms 907 AD Tang Dynasty fell ● Changed something in China ● Didn’t go through centuries of war after the fall unlike the Han dynasty

50. Group 3 – pages 196-198: The Tang Empire • What effect did the Tang dynasty have on the embassies? 2. What was the four tier policy? What were two of the policies and their effect?