Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E.Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E.
“Land Equalization” System –> land redistribution
Unified coinage
Established army of professional soldiers
People were overworked and overtaxed!
Financial StressFinancial Stress
War for Korea further strains finances
Grand Canal constructed Strained
financial resources
The Grand CanalThe Grand Canal
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.
High point of Chinese historyImperial examination system
perfectedLiberal attitude towards all
religions Spread of Buddhism in China
Golden Age of foreign relations with other countries
Japan, Korea, Persia
Tang Gov’t. OrganizationTang Gov’t.
Organization
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.
New technologies:Printing --> moveable print PorcelainGunpowderMechanical clocks
More cosmopolitan cultureReestablished safety of Silk RoadTea came into China from
Southeast Asia
Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705
Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705
Only Chinese Empress to rule aloneSearched for outstanding individuals
to attract to her courtConstructed new irrigation systemsBuddhism was favored state
religion Financed building of many Buddhist temples
BUT… She appointed cruel and sadistic ministers to seek out her enemies
Foot-Binding in Tang China
Foot-Binding in Tang China
Broken toes by 3 years of age.
Size 5 ½ shoe on the right
Foot-Binding in Tang China
Foot-Binding in Tang China
Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.
Foot-Binding in Tang China
Foot-Binding in Tang China
For upper-class girls, it became new custom
Results of Foot-BindingResults of Foot-Binding
End of Tang DynastyEnd of Tang Dynasty
Causes of declineMisruleCourt intriguesEconomic exploitationRebellions
Made it possible for northern invaders to defeat them
Next 50 years saw fragmentation of ChinaFive northern dynastiesTen southern kingdoms
Song [Sung] Dynasty, 960-1279 C.E.
Song [Sung] Dynasty, 960-1279 C.E.
Creation of urban, merchant middle class
Neo-Confucianists wanted to purify Confucianism
Increased emphasis on education & cheaper availability of printed books
Magnetic compass made China great sea power!
Confucian Inspired Sayings
Confucian Inspired Sayings
"Women are to be led and to follow others.“
"A woman ruler is like a hen crowing.“
"Woman's greatest duty is to produce a son."
Confucian Inspired Sayings
Confucian Inspired Sayings
"We should not be too familiar with the lower orders or with women."
"The woman with no talent is the one who has merit.“
"Those who cannot be taught, cannot be instructed. These are women and eunuchs."
Confucian Inspired Sayings
Confucian Inspired Sayings
"A husband can marry twice, but his wife must never remarry.“
"Man is honored for strength; a woman is beautiful on account of her gentleness."
"Disorder is not sent down by Heaven, it is produced by women."
Song Peasant FamilySong Peasant Family
Song Began Rice Cultivation
Song Began Rice Cultivation
Song Rice CultivationSong Rice Cultivation