A Reunited ChinaA Reunited China

Mr. KochMr. Koch

World History AWorld History A

Forest Lake High SchoolForest Lake High School

Tang and Song Dynasties considered Tang and Song Dynasties considered “golden ages”“golden ages”

Tang DynastyTang Dynasty(618 – 907 AD)(618 – 907 AD)

Almost 400 years between Almost 400 years between collapse of Han Dynasty (220) collapse of Han Dynasty (220) and rise of reunited China of and rise of reunited China of Tang Dynasty (618)* Tang Dynasty (618)* – Spread empire by conquering Spread empire by conquering

parts of Central Asiaparts of Central Asia– Established tributary statesEstablished tributary states

Vietnam, Tibet, KoreaVietnam, Tibet, Korea

Independent, but concede Independent, but concede supremacy, give tributessupremacy, give tributes

*(initially reunited in 589 by Sui)*(initially reunited in 589 by Sui)

1st Tang Emperor Li Yuan

Tang DynastyTang Dynasty(618 – 907 AD)(618 – 907 AD)

Restored uniform Restored uniform governmentgovernment

Land reform – Land reform – redistributed to redistributed to peasantspeasants

Built canals – Built canals – improved improved trade/transportationtrade/transportation

Song DynastySong Dynasty(960 – 1279 AD)(960 – 1279 AD)

Reunited much of China in Reunited much of China in 960 (smaller than Tang 960 (smaller than Tang Dynasty)Dynasty)Not as strong militarily, but Not as strong militarily, but expanded economy, trade, expanded economy, trade, and cultureand culture– Especially developed south Especially developed south

(North under frequent attack)(North under frequent attack)

Chinese SocietyChinese SocietyGentry – wealthy landowning classGentry – wealthy landowning class– Made up most of scholar-officialsMade up most of scholar-officials

They could afford to study Confucian teachings to They could afford to study Confucian teachings to pass civil service exampass civil service exam

Peasants – self-sufficient farmersPeasants – self-sufficient farmers– Majority of populationMajority of population– Social mobility possible (although not Social mobility possible (although not

necessarily common)necessarily common)

MerchantsMerchants– Many became very wealthy, but considered Many became very wealthy, but considered

lower than peasantslower than peasants