SUI TANG SONG AND MING DYNASTIES SUI DYNASTY

SUI, TANG, SONG AND MING DYNASTIES

SUI DYNASTY After the Han Dynasty collapsed, Chinese military leaders split China into several rival kingdoms They were finally reunited by Wendi, who restored order, created a unified law code, and reformed the government His greatest achievement was the Grand Canal which connected northern and southern China.

TANG DYNASTY When Wendi was assassinated, a general in his army seized control and established the Tang Dynasty. Capital in Chang’an They improved the government by requiring Civil Service Exam in which people has to pass a written exam in order to work for the government Tang rulers also created a flexible law code that became a model for Japan and Korea The Tang expanded the empire increasing their exposure to other peoples which increased trade along the Silk Roads

After the Tang Dynasty, China was not reunified until the Song Dynasty Under Song rule Chinese civilization became the most advanced in the world. The Song created a capital at Kaifeng, resorted centralized government control, reformed the civil service exam The new exam tested prospects on Confucianism The Song were never able to regain the territories in the North or West SONG DYNASTY

MING DYNASTY Following the Mongol Dynasty’s collapse, the Ming Dynasty was founded Emperor Hongwu worked to rebuild and unify China He passed reduced taxes and passed reforms to improve trade He also revived traditional Chinese culture His successor, Yonglo, encouraged exploration and foreign leaders to visit China Following the explorations the Ming’s closed their doors to all foreigners fearing the influence they had on Chinese culture Added to the Great Wall of China

CHINESE CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS Woodblock Printingallowed for faster copying of texts by carving the texts out of wood and then covering it with ink to stamp onto a piece of paper Paper Money- was used in order to improved trade because it was lighter and easier to use than coins Magnetic Compassallowed for further sea travel Movable Type- made printing much faster by creating individual letters that could be combined to make words Gunpowder- was invented for fireworks and signals rather than weapons