The Chinese Dynasties Sui Ming Chinese Achievements 1050

The Chinese Dynasties Sui - Ming

Chinese Achievements 1050 AD… Western Europe is emerging out of a period of isolation and has limited achievements During the same period, China under the leadership of the Tang and the Song had accomplished: - Strong central government - Established a flourishing culture - Made amazing advancements in technology (paper, printmaking, and gunpowder) - Traders used coins and even paper money!

How was China able to make such amazing advancements? NOT affected by the Fall of the Roman Empire!

Han Dynasty Han continued many Qin policies (strong bureaucracy and a centralized state) BUT the Han were more concerned for their subjects Emperor Wu’s adoption of Confucianism as the state ideology helped create bonds between the people and the government. Under Emperor Wu, China reached its largest territorial extent and his reforms helped the empire thrive Civil unrest caused the Han to move their capital from Chang’an to Luoyang (Eastern Han period) and this period was one of prosperity and progress (paper and porcelain production). Han began to decline. because of weak emperors under the control of eunuchs (imperial advisors) and powerful independent warlords

THE PERIOD OF DISUNITY (220 -581) After the fall of the Later Han, the Chinese Empire remained divided for three and a half centuries. Three Kingdoms: Wei, Shu Han and Wu Tribal invaders from the north soon overran the kingdoms Four dynasties established by the Chinese ruled in the south during the 4 th and 5 th centuries

THE SUI DYNASTY (581 - 618) Wen Ti: introduced a series of economic reforms - reduction of the peasants' taxes - a careful census for equitable tax collection - and restoration of the equal allocation system - Every taxable male received a grant of land, part of which was returnable when he ceased to be a taxpayer at age 60 and part of which he could pass on to his heirs. - He also revived the Han system of examinations based on Confucian classics

Question: Would you have rather lived under the feudal system or the equal allocation system? Why is that the case?

SUI: Yang Ti: led to the Sui’s downfall constructed the Grand Canal, which linked up the Huang, Huai, and Yangtze rivers and connected north and south China disastrous wars against Korea and the Chinese army of over a million was defeated and forced to flee

RISE OF THE TANG DYNASTY In 618 Yang Ti was assassinated in an army coup one of the coup leaders, Li Shih-min, installed his father as emperor, founding the T'ang Dynasty. After about a decade, during which he was able to secure his father's abdication, he took the throne himself in 626 as emperor T'ai Tsung.

TANG DYNASTY: POLICIES Emperor was supreme and government officials were selected by merit and education. Applied the equal allocation system rigorously to ensure greater equity in tax and revenue into the government Census was taken every three years to enforce the system These measures led to an agricultural surplus and the growth of commerce and cities.

TANG Dynasty 618– 907

Chang'an Capital was one of the greatest commercial and cosmopolitan cities in the world at that time. Like most capitals of China, Chang'an was composed of three parts: the palace, the imperial city, and the outer city, separated from each other by mighty walls.

Question: How does this compare to the cities in Western Europe?

Imperial Expansion T'ang: period of great imperial expansion - reached its greatest height in the first half of the 8 th century - Chinese control was recognized by people from Tibet and Central Asia in the west to Mongolia, Manchuria (now the Northeast region of China), and Korea in the north and Annam (Vietnam) in the south.

Empress Wu Zetian (625 -705 AD) According to Confucian beliefs women ruling was as unnatural as a "hen crow like a rooster at daybreak" Read the handout and address the questions.

Wu Zetian’s Policies Based government appointments on merit and experience Reduced the army's size Stopped the influence of aristocratic military men on government by replacing them with scholars Made it mandatory for everyone to compete for government positions by taking exams (thus setting the practice of government run by scholars) Fair to peasants! --- lowered oppressive taxes, raised agricultural production, and strengthened public works

Technology The T'ang beginnings of China's early technological advancement over other civilizations in the fields of shipbuilding and firearms development. By the 13 th century papermaking spread throughout Europe. Powder (not gunpowder, because guns were not yet known) and fireworks rockets were introduced into Europe in the 1200 s.

Hsuan Tsung Emperor Hsuan Tsung was in power from 712 to 756 - beginning of his reign was very successful - late in his reign he neglected government affairs to indulge in his love of art and study - caused the rise of viceroys (commanders responsible for military and civil affairs in the regions) to increase power throughout the land

The An Lu-shan rebellion - An Lu-shan was a powerful viceroy commanding the northwest border area who rose in rebellion in 755 - The emperor fled the capital with an ill-equipped army - These troops soon rebelled and forced the emperor to abdicate and his son took over

Aftermath The new emperor raised a new army to fight the rebels. An Lu-shan was assassinated in 757, but the war dragged on until 763 The Chinese Empire virtually disintegrated once again The provinces remained under the control of various regional commanders

THE SONG DYNASTY (960 -1279) 300 years timeframe and divided into the two periods of Northern and Southern Song Because of the barbarian occupation of northern China the second half of the Song rule was confined to the area south of the Huai River.

Map http: //afe. easia. columbia. edu/song/

Northern Song General Chao K'uang-yin (Sung T'ai Tsu) was coerced to become emperor in order to unify China Sung T'ai Tsu made the military into a national army under his direct control Under his less capable successors the military increasingly lost prestige and the weakening of the military coincided with the rise of successive strong nomad nations on the borders

Rise of the Civil Servant Elite As the military's lost prestige, the civil service rose in dignity The examination system was further elaborated and regularized Only 200 out of thousands of applicants were granted the jinshi degree, the highest degree, and appointed to government posts From this time on, civil servants became China's most envied elite, replacing the hereditary nobles and landlords.

Economic Revolution Between 750 and 1100, China’s population doubled Over the next three centuries, with the expansion of rice cultivation in central and south China, the country’s food supply steadily grew, allowing its population to grow as well. Money supply grew tenfold, paper money came into use, and trade and industry grew rapidly. The city depicted in the Beijing qingming scroll is a lively urban center, full of people and street life. The scene above is of the area just inside the city gate

Farmers in Song China did not aim at self-sufficiency. Farmers sold their surpluses in nearby markets and bought charcoal, tea, oil, and wine. In many places, farmers specialized in commercial crops, such as sugar, oranges, cotton, silk, and tea. Selling the surplus in the market allowed them profits and to afford a better life.

Merchants in the cities Merchants became progressively more specialized and organized. They set up partnerships and joint stock companies, with a separation between owners (shareholders) and managers. In large cities merchants were organized into guilds according to the type of product they sold. Guilds arranged sales from wholesalers to shop owners and periodically set prices. When the government wanted to requisition supplies or assess taxes, it dealt with the guild heads.

Transport As the economy became more commercialized, the need for transport grew. Goods were carried in backpacks, larger wheelbarrows, wagons, and on donkeys and camels. Water transport, however, has always been far cheaper than going overland. The South, with its many rivers and waterways, had an advantage The Grand Canal linked the North to the Yangzi River region.

Paper Money For centuries, the basic unit of currency in China was the bronze or copper coin with a hole in the center for stringing. Large transactions were calculated in terms of strings of coins, but given their weight these were cumbersome to carry long distances. The use of paper currency was initiated by merchants to avoid having to carry thousands of strings of coins long distances 1120 s the government took over the system, producing the world’s first government-issued paper money

Other Goods Iron production reached around 125, 000 tons per year in 1078 CE, a sixfold increase over the output in 800 CE. At first charcoal was used in the production process, leading to deforestation of large parts of north China. By the end of the 11 th century, however, coal had largely taken the place of charcoal. The feeding of silkworms and cultivating silk was all women’s work, as was the weaving of plain cloth on simple home looms. Professional weavers, mostly men, worked in government or private workshops. In English, “china” has become synonymous with dinnerware. Already in Song times China was a ceramics-exporting country.

Do Now: Take out the documents from yesterday and address the following question: To what extent did the economic system established by the Song create long-term stability? Why is that the case?

Confucianism Scholar-Officials of the Song Most scholars came from the landholding class, but they acquired prestige from their learning and political clout by serving in office. In a society in which most people were illiterate, scholar-officials stood out by virtue of their reading and writing skills. Confucian education encouraged them to aspire for government service, but also to speak up when they thought others were pursuing the wrong course, making them courageous critics of power. What are some costs and benefits of being critical of those in power?

The Three Perfections The life of the educated man involved more than study for the civil service examinations and service in office. Many took to refined pursuits such as collecting antiques or old books and practicing the arts — especially poetry writing, calligraphy, and painting (“the three perfections”). For many individuals these interests overshadowed any philosophical, political, or economic concerns; others found in them occasional outlets for creative activity and aesthetic pleasure. What are some problems associated with this?

Paintings Old Trees, Level Distance, Northern Song dynasty (960– 1127), ca. 1080 Guo Xi (Chinese, ca. 1000–ca. 1090) Handscroll; ink and color on silk; 13 3/4 x 41 1/4 in. (34. 9 x 104. 8 cm) Gift of John M. Crawford Jr. , in honor of Douglas Dillon, 1981 (1981. 276)

Calligraphy

Family during the Song The Centrality of the Family in Confucian Teaching In Confucian teaching, the family is the most basic unit of society. Everyone should respect and obey his or her parents and put the interests of the family before personal interests. This attitude of “filial piety”extended also to ancestors. It was considered essential that everyone marry, so that family lines would continue and male heirs make offerings of food and drink to their deceased ancestors. Should you always put the interests of your family before your own? When should the status quo be challenged?

Status of Women The Song is often seen as a time when the status of women declined. Compared to Tang times, women were less active in politics and less commonly seen on the streets. Song Confucian teachers argued against widows remarrying, and footbinding began in Song times. On the other hand, women’s rights to property were relatively secure in Song times, and older women were often very powerful within their families.

Footbinding

Children were highly valued in the Chinese family system. They were what made possible the continuation of the family. Although they were expected to learn to be filial, they were also indulged. Toy peddlers like the one in the scroll were sometimes depicted by painters surrounded by excited children.

Summary What are some costs to empowering civil servants over military men? How can a society strike a good balance between these two groups?

http: //acc 6. its. brooklyn. cuny. edu/~phalsall/texts /chinhist. html

Fall of the Song - China Split into two The Jurchen invasion of Northern China in 1127 was recognized by the Chinese as a disaster As the Jurchen armies swept into China the Song encountered the consequences of their general neglect of military preparedness in favor of concentration on civil governance The government was forced to flee far south, eventually settling its capital in the city of Hangzhou, below the Yangzi delta

The Mongol Invasion “The Mongols may have been the most dominant military phenomenon until the atomic bomb. ” 1226, the Mongol launched a campaign against the Jurchen Jin Dynasty Genghis Khan’s grandson, Khubilai Khan (1215 -94) became the leader of the Mongol forces in the east in 1260. He established a capital in Beijing, and determined to conquer all China and rule their as emperor. In 1271, he proclaimed the establishment of a new dynasty, the Yuan, and began a campaign of conquest, aiming south.

The Demise of the Song In 1279, the Song Dynasty fell to the invading armies in what was probably the bloodiest war ever witnessed on Chinese territory…

Watch: http: //www. history. com/topics/genghis-khan How would you characterize Genghis Khan as a military leader?

Genghis Khan (1162 -1227) - - Temujin was born with a blood clot in his hand, a sign in Mongol folklore that he was destined to become a leader Father was murdered early in his life and his family was banished from their village and forced to live in isolation Kidnapped as a young child by a neighboring tribe and is later freed by his captors Betrayed in his early life by powerful men (including his blood brother) resulting in him having greater trust in women (as his empire grows he leaves territories to his daughters who become the Mongol Queens) Once he conquered the powerful Merkit tribe, he is regarded as Genghis Khan

The Secret History of the Mongols - Oldest surviving Mongolian-language literary which was originally written for the Mongol royal family by an unknown author - Translated from Uyghur script (old Turkish language) into Chinese characters dating from the end of the 14 th century - Compiled by the Ming dynasty and called the The Secret History of the Yuan Dynasty - Single most important source to get a comprehensive perspective on the life and culture of the Mongolian Empire

Ruthless? - Genghis Khan murdered his half-brother early in life because he refused to share food when his family was starving Utilized brutal war tactics against those who refused to submit to his authority - boiled his enemies alive! Employed an extensive spy network and was quick to adopt new technologies from his enemies Developed a well-trained Mongol army of 80, 000 who were expert equestrians and fighters coordinated their advance with a sophisticated signaling system of smoke and burning torches. Justified his ongoing battles with other groups because food and resources were becoming scarce as the population grew

Or Tolerant? The tribes and groups who submitted to Genghis Khan’s power were granted certain rights under the legal code called the Yassa - He also granted religious freedom to his subjects, abolished torture, encouraged trade and created the first international postal system - Placed competent allies rather than relatives in key positions and executed the leaders of enemy tribes while incorporating the remaining members into his clan. - He abolished inherited aristocratic titles, forbade the selling and kidnapping of women, banned the enslavement of any Mongol and made livestock theft punishable by death.

The Mongols after Genghis Khan - - Pax Mongolica was established allowing trade, technologies, commodities (goods), and ideologies (beliefs and ideas) to be exchanged throughout Eurasia The empire began to split due to wars over succession because the grandchildren of Genghis Khan argued over the rightful heir to the empire (some thought the royal line should follow from his son and initial heir Ögedei) Kublai Khan effectively won a series of battles to become the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire (1260– 94) and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in China When Kublai died in 1294 the Mongol Empire had fractured into four separate khanates or empires

https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=e 0 A 9 Db 1 V 5 t. Y

Questions: How were the living conditions for the merchants under the Yuan Dynasty? How did this differ from that of the peasant population under the Mongol-ruled Chinese dynasty?

The Four Class System 1) 2) 3) 4) The Mongols The Semu (ethnic minorities from Central Asia) Han Chinese Southerners (from the Southern Song) Privileges were based on ethnicity with the Mongols being on the top. The Civil Service Exam was abolished in order to preserve the Social Order. How would this breed resentment among the population?

Inflation In 1344 the Yellow River flooded destroying crops and contributing to mass inflation.

Challenges • Power struggles between the Khans • Enormous land mass to control • Many different peoples, cultures, and religions to subdue.

Kublai Khan Invades Japan • In 1274 and 1281 Kublai Khan launched an invasion of Japan but both invasions were thwarted by typhoons • The Japanese called it Kamikaze or Divine Winds • Established that the Mongol Empire did have limits

The Rise of the Ming Between the government corruption, the loss in Japan, ethnic and religious tensions, and the flooding of the Yellow River, the Yuan lost power in the region and gave way to the Ming Dynasty.

Hong Wu - Peasant orphan who was raised by Buddhist Monks - Later in life he emerged as a national leader against the Yuan Dynasty - Wu eventually became leader of a rebel army, and began to make plans to overthrow the Mongols - He was very charismatic and a natural born leader who attracted the support of many capable officers in his campaign against the Mongols - Overthrew Yuan and declares himself emperor by conquering Nanjing in 1364 and Beijing in 1368

Achievements Major reconstruction and repopulation projects: - Repaired levees, canals, and irrigation system - Supported the peasant population by bringing them back to the plains of central China by issuing tax breaks and free land in some cases Completed and repaired the GREAT WALL OF CHINA!

Political Goals/ Economic Revival - restored civil service examinations and scholar-gentry were restored to positions of power - established a board of censors to prevent disloyalty and corruption (too weak and easily captured/influenced by clan ties) - plains of eastern China supported 100 million due to irrigation and fertilization methods - cities were major producers of porcelain, paper, and tools - new technologies increased output in manufacturing products and goods (machinery and equipment from which silk and cotton looms were made)

Zheng He China was very interested in exploration - 1405: Zheng He led a fleet of 62 large ships and over 25 k crew - goals of the expeditions were to promote trade and collect tribute - 1405 - 1433: explored the coasts of Southwest Asia, Persian Gulf, and East Africa

Decline of the Ming - Natural Disasters, War, and Peasant Rebellion Earthquakes (unusually high number in 1600 s) Wars against the Japanese Little Ice Age Plagues Monetary Crisis - limited trade, inflation, difficult to generate tax revenue