China: Tang & Song
Dynasties
EQ: How do contributions from
these dynasties impact us today?
Tang Dynasty: 618-907CE
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United China
Built a vast empire
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The capital was at Xian
Vietnam, Korea, & Tibet become tributary
states
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A tributary state is independent, but China is the
supreme power and these states must pay a
tribute ($$$) to China
Tang Government
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Guided by Confucian ideals
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Emphasis on social order ensures stability
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duty, rank, proper behavior
Skilled government
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Revive the civil service exam system (begun
by the Han Dynasty)
Difficult exams stressed Confucian thought
Highly educated ruling class
Song Dynasty: 960-1279CE
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Golden Age
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Landscape painting
Calligraphy
literature
Conquered by Mongols in 1279
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Invaders from the north
Tang & Song Social Structure
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Social pyramid:
Gentry
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Status of women
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Peasants
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Rich landowners
Some are civil servants
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Majority of population
farmers
Merchants
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Some are rich
Low in status because
their $$ comes from the
work of others
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Many have authority
Manage family
finances and run
household
Boys still have higher
value than girls
Once married, girls
became part of their
husband’s family
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Could never remarry
Tang & Song Contributions
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Economic
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Land reform:
redistributes land to
peasants
Landowners have
less power &
peasants pay taxes
Canals
Trade expands
(India, Persia,
MidEast)
Paper $$$
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Art & Lit
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Poetry (Li Bo) &
short story
Block printing
Landscaping
Calligrapy
Porcelain
Architecture
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Pagoda = temple w/
roof that curves up at
the corners
Tang & Song Contributions
So what?
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What is used today
from the Tang & Song
period?
Chinese culture will
influence Japan’s
development
More evidence
proving the dynastic
cycle
CHINESE CONTRIBUTIONS
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Find (identify) 2 contributions from the 3
periods of Chinese history that we have
talked about so far…
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1. Shang & Zhou
2. Qin & Han
3. Tang & Song