The Two Golden Ages of China

World History I

November 12, 2013

The Tang Dynasty• The Tang dynasty was founded

by emperor Tang Taizong• He was a successful conqueror,

he made many government reforms, and he was educated

• They conquered much of Central Asia and forced neighboring lands into being tributary states

• Under the Tang, the government was unified and strong• Education

• New Legislation

• Land Reforms

• Trading

Decline of the Tang Dynasty

• The Tang Dynasty was in power until the mid-700s

• The An-Shi Rebellion destroyed the prosperity of the empire

• Led by An Lushan, he wanted to form the Yan dynasty and takeover the Chinese Empire

• An first won, but the Tang restored their power

• After the rebellion, there was no strong leader, and the dynasty ended

The Song Dynasty• In 960, a scholarly general

reunited much of China and founded the Song dynasty

• East Asia, under the Song, was dominated by wealth and culture

• Farming began to center on rice• With a surplus of crops, farmers

were able to focus on other things, such as education and the arts

• Foreign trade flourished, and China did a great deal of business with Southeast Asia and Africa

Chinese Society• Scholar – Officials

• Highly educated

• Studied law, government, history, & philosophy

• Influenced government

• Gentry• Wealthy landowning class

• Highly educated

• Study Confucian philosophy

• Peasants• A majority of the population

• Self governed

• Many were farmers

• Merchants• The lowest class

• These were traders in market towns

Chinese Culture & Inventions

• The family was an important aspect of society• Men were in control

• Women were supposed to be submissive to men• They were below men in

society

• Reinforced by footbinding

Chinese Culture & Inventions

• Prosperity of the Tang and Song Dynasties allowed for new innovations• Mechanical Clock

• Gunpowder

• Block Printing

• Moveable Type