New Empires in China Chapter 14 Notes Sui

New Empires in China Chapter 14 Notes

Sui Dynasty 589 -618 CE • Similar to Qin (Shihuangdi) in tactics – Strict discipline of subjects – Extremely centralized government – Much construction of palaces – Rebuilt and improved defensive walls – High taxes – Forced labor – Military expansion

Sui Dynasty 589 -618 CE • Built the Grand Canal – Connected North and South China for trade – Rivers run West to East, so canal was the only way to transport large amounts of goods north and south – Used heavily for over 1000 years…finally replaced with railroads in 1800 s. – High taxes and forced labor led to hostility – Emperor assassinated in 618…ended Sui Dynasty

The Grand Canal • l

Tang Dynasty 618 -907 CE • Tang Taizong – first Tang emperor – Ambitious/ruthless is gaining throne, but ultimately good leader – Confucian principles – Low taxes – Stability and prosperity

Tang Dynasty 618 -907 CE • Transportation and Communications – Roads, horses, human runners – Entire empire could be reached within 8 days – Inns, stables, restaurants, provided for travelers and messengers

Tang Dynasty 618 -907 CE • Equal-Field System – Equitable distribution of land (land = wealth) – Land allotted according to fertility and need – Only 1/5 of property retained in heredity – Over time, system began to fail

Tang Dynasty 618 -907 CE • Bureaucracy based on MERIT – Confucianism! – Civil service exams – Education – Possibility of advancement, prosperity for everyone

Tang Dynasty 618 -907 CE • Foreign relations: – Sent military into Manchuria, Korea, Northern Vietnam, Central Asia (-stan countries), plateau of Tibet – Other lands became subject to China…owed gifts and respect…envoys performed the “kowtow” – Subject lands were given more in return, and mostly left alone. – Seen as the duty of China to look out for neighbors – Formalized close connections between China and other East Asian nations

Tang Dynasty 618 -907 CE

Tang Dynasty 618 -907 CE • Later emperors were not as strong • Rebellions weakened dynasty • Equal field system deteriorated, taxes went down…military could not resist outsiders • Uighurs (nomadic Turks from Central Asia) invited in…weakened empire further • Dynasty ended in 907 with abdication of last Tang emperor.

Side Note – Uighurs (or Uyghurs) • Part of China today • Muslim

Song Dynasty 960 -1279 CE • Period after Tang marked by decentralized control of warlords • Never as strong as Tang • Still kept Confucian principles of education and civil service • Bureaucracy kept growing…salaries depleted the treasure • Scholars/bureaucrats appointed to oversee military…no practical expertise

Song Dynasty 960 -1279 CE • Military lost northern territory…Latter part of Song Dynasty called “Southern Song, ” as only the southern half of the original land stayed intact. • Resurgence of Silk Road trading • Agricultural and technological advancements led to population growth and urbanization – Rice varieties increased food supply – Iron plow – Irrigation systems

Changes during Tang and Song • Foot binding • Better technology…more trades – Porcelain – Gun-powder – Iron and steel weaponry – Block printing – Compass – Banking advancements…checks, credit, paper money – Buddhism