SPICE chart Ch 14 East Asia Sui Tang

SPICE chart Ch 14 East Asia Sui, Tang, Song Dynasties

Social Patriarchal- evident in women having less rights in marriage, cultural traditions like foot binding *Women played bigger roles in Vietnam than China Forced labor- called compulsory or conscripted labor Tang- starts civil service exams- positions based on merit

Political Post-Classical Empires of China: Sui 589 -618 CE Tang 618 -907 CE Song 960 -1279 CE Sui Dynasty Reunites China after fall of Han and 350 years turmoil Military expeditions to Korea

Political Tang Dynasty Last Sui emperor assassinated, rebel leader starts new dynasty Middle Kingdom Theory- China center of civilization and surrounding regions must give tribute/gifts (tributary system) In reality, China had little influence but helped trade, culture and diplomatic relations Kow-Tow Extensive testing for higher positions- civil service exam Peasant rebellions, losing control of regional military units lead to decline A nomad group also came in to help push down rebellions but Tang control was never regained

Political Song Dynasty Warlords ruled until Song dynasty brought back imperial rule More emphasis on civil admin, education, art than military Civil workers rewarded greatly, more opportunities for people to take civil service exams, even in charge of military forces Lots of bureaucracies use lots of money- causes financial strain Scholar-bureaucrats had little military knowledge, nomadic groups (Jurchen) challenged authority and pushed the Song dynasty to South China

Interaction Humans/Environment Grand Canal New crops Gaining new resources from Korea, Vietnam, Japan

The Sui and Tang dynasties, 589 -907 CE . The Song Dynasty, 960 -1279 C. E.

Culture • Buddhism spreads from Silk Roads among foreign religions (Nestorian Christians, Manicheans, Muslims Arab/Persian merchants • Appeal- high standards of morality, intellectual sophistication, promise of salvation • Buddhist monasteries acquired large land, wealthy converts donate • Fun facts: Chairs introduced to China, sugar refined by Buddhists • Tailored Buddhism to Chinese culture by mixing ir with Daoism (dharma=dao “the way”, nirvana=wuwei) • Chan Buddhism (Chinese characteristics) like Zen • Persecution: from Daoists/Confucianists bc land holdings, monasteries waste of resources

Culture • Persecution: from Daoists/Confucianists bc land holdings, monasteries waste of resources • Neo-Confucianism during Song Dynasty inspired by Buddhism in logic and metaphysics (early Confucians focus on morality and politics) • Zhu Xi most prominent neo-Confucian scholar

Culture • Sui- Palaces, Great wall added to • Foot-binding • Paper, printing with reusable moveable type (spread religious ideas) • Porcelain • Iron production increase (coke replaces coal) • Gunpowder • Naval tech- better sails, rudders, use of magnetic compass • Finance- shortage of copper coins-> “flying cash” letters of credit, paper money (some problems at times when not honored)

Economics Sui- High taxes, lots of money spent on extensive trade/transportation networks- Grand Canal connect north and south China Tang- Equal Field system (to avoid social drama from Han dynasty, where only nobles held land) Distributes land to individuals and families according to their needs (lasted for 100 years but people cheated and population grew too quickly) Agricultural production and technology increases- fast-ripening rice from Vietnam (similar to Dar-al-Islam benefitting from new crops), better irrigation, used manure 1024 Song- 1 st time government sponsors paper money Money problems, high salaries New Financial techniques “flying cash” paper money

Beyond China • Silla Dynasty of Korea- Tang try to overthrow but kept Korea as part of tributary • Many things modeled after China, elite use Neo. Confucianism, peasants Chan Buddhism • In Vietnam- adopt farming, school and ideas from China, but kept religious traditions although had bureaucracies and Buddhism

Japan • Nara dynasty (710 -794) • Clan claimed imperial authority • Built new capital at Nara modeled after Chang’an, adopted Confucianism, Buddhism but maintained Shinto rites • Heian Dynasty (794 -1185) moved capital to Kyoto • Emperors more like puppets/figureheads, Fujiwara family (aristocratic clan) held most power • Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki- about the court and socialites

Medieval Japan Clans fought for power Kamakura (1185 -1333) and Muromachi (1336 -1573) periods Decentralized power, provincial lords held authority Replaced etiquette and courtesy with military talent and discipline Shoguns (military governor) replaced emperor Used samurais to enforce authority in return they got land living expenses