Post Classical China Sui Tang Song Empires Sui

Post – Classical China Sui, Tang, Song Empires

Sui Empire v China re-emerges, unlike Rome v Sui tribe unifies China by marrying from another kingdom v Sui paved the way for the Tang, just like the Qin paved the way for the Han v Both the Han and Tang lasted for a long time

Government TANG SONG v Confucian exam v Bureaucracy expanded system for gov. jobs v Bureaucracy v 1 Female Ruler – legitimate through Buddhism v Simpler exams v Led by scholar-gentry

Military TANG SONG v VERY strong v VERY weak v In later empire, are v Led by scholars – no given more control of areas to protect, tax and control military experience v Constant outside pressure v Pay tribute to stop raids v Lose ½ of empire

Religion TANG v Upheld Confucian ideals v Strongly influenced by Buddhism v Temples own a lot of land – can’t tax SONG v Neo-Confucianism v Attacked Buddhists for promoting careers of women

Social TANG v Scholar-gentry at top v Don’t trust landowning aristocrats v Peasants happy v Cosmopolitan v Women have more freedom v Commoners can go to university SONG v Based on Neo- Confucian ideals v Male dominated hierarchy v Laws favor men v Reinforce “tradition” – class, age, gender v Peasants taxed – rebel v Women lose freedoms

Advancements TANG v Repair Great Wall v Grand Canal v Silk Road – eastern edge v Redistribution of land SONG v Strong economic growth v Industry & production v Commerce v Agriculture

Decline TANG v Neglectful emperor v Peasant rebellion v Military takes control v Nomad pressures – Uighurs v Blame Buddhism SONG v Attack from Mongols