Tang & Song China
Golden Ages
Two Great Dynasties in China
 During
the Tang (618907) and Song (960-1279)
dynasties, China becomes
the richest, powerful, and
most advanced country in
the world.
 Main
Idea:
Tang and Song China
experienced an era of
prosperity and
technological
innovation.
 Why
it Matters Now:
Chinese inventions
from this period, such
as printing, gunpowder,
and the compass,
changed history.
 The
Tang Dynasty World
View:
 west
along the Silk Road
 The
Song Dynasty World
View:
 looks
east towards the sea
Trade/Foreign Contacts
 Silk
Road
 west;
Tang Dynasty
Trade/Foreign Contacts
 Silk
Road
 west;
Tang Dynasty
 east,
Song Dynasty
 ocean
ships
Korea
Japan
India
Persian
Gulf
east Africa
Agriculture
 imported
fastripening rice from
Vietnam
Agriculture
 imported
fastripening rice from
Vietnam
 allowed two crops
each season instead
of one
Agriculture
 imported
fastripening rice from
Vietnam
 allowed two crops
each season instead
of one
 fueled population
increase
Science and Technology
 mathematics
flourished
Science and Technology
 mathematics
flourished
 adopted the use of
algebra and the concept
of zero
Science and Technology
 mathematics
flourished
 adopted the use of
algebra and the concept
of zero
 invented movable type
Science and Technology
 mathematics
flourished
 adopted the use of
algebra and the concept
of zero
 invented movable type
 developed gunpowder
Inventions of Tang and Song China
Golden Age of Art
 wealth,
education, and
urban culture = artistic
achievement
Golden Age of Art
 wealth,
education, and
urban culture = artistic
achievement
 great poetry
 Li
Bo and Du Fu
Golden Age of Art
 wealth,
education, and
urban culture = artistic
achievement
 great poetry
 Li
Bo and Du Fu
 Three-color
ware was one
of the greatest
contributions of the Tang
Dynasty
Golden Age of Art
 wealth,
education, and
urban culture = artistic
achievement
 great poetry
 Li
Bo and Du Fu
 Three-color
ware was one
of the greatest
contributions of the Tang
Dynasty.
 Many figurines,
predominantly horses and
camels, were produced.
 Most
of these pieces have been found in the more
affluent tombs of the Tang period
The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared
Tang Only
Expanded the
empire,
had a female
ruler,
adopted
Buddhism
Both
Prospered
through trade,
improved
agriculture,
created great
art and
literature
Song Only
Ruled smaller
empire,
developed into
great sea power,
created paper
money and
movable type