Chapter 12 Guiding Questions
Rebuilding the Imperial Edifice in the Sui-Tang Era
1. What was the new dynasty created by Wendi in the early 580's? Which one did it replace?
(p.257)
2. How did he politically unify the nation and also restore the economy? (p.258-259)
3. What combination of events led to the widespread revolt of Wendi's son, Yangdi? (P.259)
4. Militarily speaking, what steps did the Tang dynasty take to improve the size and security of
China? (p.259)
5. Familiarize oneself with the map of the Tang dynasty on p. 258.
6. How did the Sui and Tang dynasties rebuild the power and prestige of the bureaucracy?
(p.260)
7. What were the various levels of government explained on p.260?
8. What benefits could be gained through achievement on civil service exams? (p.260-261)
9. Even with the development of these exams, one can still see that the "main" distinguishing
features were what? (p.261)
10. During the Tang and Song dynasties, both Confucianism and Buddhism grew. Explain how.
(p.262)
11. What was the chief way in which Buddhism was attacked in the Tang dynasty? (p.262-263)
13. Explain the steady downfall of the Tang dynasty that centered around the emperor
Xuanzong. Detail the economic, political, and relationship issues. (p.263-264)
14. Who did the rulers of the Song dynasty have a hard time dealing with/controlling? Provide
examples. (p.265)
15. How did the number of bureaucratic officials become a problem? (p.265-266)
16. What did Wang Anshi propose to reform education and the economy? What eventually
ended these changes? (p.266-267)
Tang and Song Prosperity: The Basis of a Golden Age
17. What was the purpose of the Grand Canal's construction? How did this help aid movement
within China? (p.267)
18. Was the canal a worthwhile project in your opinion? Justify your answer.
19. How did the Chinese promote commercial expansion overseas and overland during the Tang
and Song Eras? (p.267-268)
20. What is "flying money"? Why is it of importance? (p.268)
21. How did the government actively promote increased agrarian production? (p.269)
22. What "socialist" approach was taken by the Chinese government in the area of land
distribution? For what purpose? (p.270)
23. Check out those punishments for disobedient children and siblings. (p.271)
24. Describe some of the ways in which the position of women and their role declined under the
later Song dynasty and the neo-Confucians. (p.271)
25. Footbinding was the most visible symbol of the subordination of Chinese women. Why then
was it readily accepted by Chinese women? (p.272)
26. Describe inventions of Chinese society in the areas of economics, engineering, warfare, and
domestic life. ( p.274)
Terms: Wendi, Yangdi, Changan, Ministry of Rites, jinshi, pure land, Zen, Empress Wu, junks