Ancient China Japan Tang Song Dynasties 1 Setting

1. Setting the Stage: a. After the fall of the Han in 202 AD,

2. The Tang Dynasty Expands China a. The Tang Dynasty would rule from 618

3. The Tang Lose Power a. To meet the rising costs of government, Tang

4. The Song Dynasty Restores China a. After fall of Tang, China was divided

5. Fall of the Song a. Group of Asian nomads known as the Mongols

Result: The Tang and Song Dynasties each ruled for about 300 years and helped

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Ancient China & Japan Tang & Song Dynasties

1. Setting the Stage: a. After the fall of the Han in 202 AD, China went through 350 years and 30 local dynasties that were unable to recreate a strong central government. b. Eventually by 589, China was once again unified under emperor Wendi who began the Sui Dynasty. c. The Sui Dynasty created the Grand Canal which connected the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. d. Endless labor on state projects as well as over taxation led to a peasant revolt which ended in the assassination of the second Sui emperor.

2. The Tang Dynasty Expands China a. The Tang Dynasty would rule from 618 – 907. b. Begun by Tang Taizong who reigned from 626 - 649. i. Took power by killing his brothers and forcing his father to step aside. ii. Taizong means “Great Ancestor” iii. Married Wu Zhao who virtually ruled China when her husband was sick. c. Tang armies re-conquered northern and western lands lost since decline of the Han. d. Tang rulers strengthened the central government of China and expanded roads. e. Revived civil service examinations (only the wealthy could afford necessary education) f. Innovated porcelain, the mechanical clock, explosive powder, and block printing.

3. The Tang Lose Power a. To meet the rising costs of government, Tang rulers imposed crushing taxes in mid 700 s. b. Muslim armies defeated the Chinese at the Battle of Talas c. Internal rebellions chipped away at imperial government d. Chinese rebels sacked and burned Tang capital in 907 e. Murdered the last Tang emperor who was only a child

4. The Song Dynasty Restores China a. After fall of Tang, China was divided by Warlords into separate kingdoms b. In 960 a general named Taizu reunited China and declared himself first emperor of Song Dynasty c. Song Dynasty would last from 960 – 1279 d. Smaller empire than Han or Tang but still prosperous e. Manchurian people know as Jurchen forced the Song to move south of the Huang He river f. Despite military troubles in the north, the Southern Song saw rapid economic growth g. Movable type: movable blocks with characters used for printing h. Created paper money and the magnetic compass i. Status of women declined during Tang and Song Dynasties j. Footbinding: practice of binding feet to conform to small lotus or lily foot i. Seen as sensual ii. Crippled for life

5. Fall of the Song a. Group of Asian nomads known as the Mongols would gain power b. Genghis Khan would attempt to invade China but would die before he succeeded c. Grandson Kublai Khan would overwhelm the Chinese in 1279 and begin the Yuan Dynasty

Result: The Tang and Song Dynasties each ruled for about 300 years and helped innovate China as its population continued to swell. China would see its first major outside threat eventually take over when Kublai Khan would successfully invade and take over China in 1279 AD.