China

Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties500 to 1000 CE

China 500-1000 CE Sui, Tang and Song Dynasties Map on page 377 of territorial gains During this period, Chinese dynasties

brought about significant improvements in food production and distribution, which resulted in an increase in population, rise of urbanization, and specialization in various technologies.

Background 220 CE: Collapse of Han dynasty During last two centuries of Han rule, large

landowners gained influence in the government. They reduced their own taxes and raised the taxes of the peasant. There was massive discontent and rebellion.

Han military generals took power, aligning themselves with regional landowners as war lords.

Han dynasty dissolved in region ruled by war lords.

Decline of Confucianism During Han dynasty, elites and intellectuals

embraced Confucian traditions. Confucian traditions were believed to ensure

social order and stability. With collapse of Han dynasty and

disintegration of China into warring states, interest in Confucianism lessened.

Sui 589-618 CE Founded by Yang Jian, who had established

himself as a powerful regional warlord. Conquered other warlords and reunited

China. Sui dynasty established power using legalistic

means similar to those of Qin Shihuaungdi. Strong central government, harsh rules,

forced labor.

Sui Dynasty innovations Transportation and communications network Distribution of land: equal field system Government bureaucracy based on merit. Grand Canal: to facilitate trade between

northern and southern China and to make abundant food supplies in south available to north

Tang 627-907 CE: Expanded territory Tried to establish a Confucian, beneficent

government. Stressed Confucian education and civil service.

Improved on developments during Sui dynasty: Transportation and communications network Distribution of land: equal field system:

problems: rise in population, bribery by wealthy, land given to Buddhist monasteries.

Government bureaucracy based on merit.

Tang Foreign Relations Tributary relationship with neighboring lands. Neighbor recognized Chinese emperors as

overlords. Paid tribute in form of gifts Kowtow: ritual prostration before emperor. Chinese gave gifts and recognition in return.

End of Tang Dynasty Tang dynasty declined in power due to

ineffective leadership by later emperors. Rebellions occurred and emperors gradually

gave over control to regional war lords. War lords controlled separate regions until

Song dynasty reestablished centralized rule.

Song Taizu (r.960-976) Junior military officer of one of the most

powerful war lords in China. Song had a reputation for honesty and

effectiveness In 960 his troops proclaimed him

emperor. Song and his troops subdued the other

war lords.

Song Dynasty 960-1279 CE Did not develop into a powerful state. Emperors kept military in a subordinate

position. Did not develop into a powerful militaristic

state. Focused on civil administration, industry,

education, and the arts instead of military. Created a large bureaucracy.

End of Song Dynasty Massive bureaucracy created strain on

economy, raised taxes, and angered the peasants.

Lack of strong military allowed nomadic peoples to gain power. Nomadic Mongol tribes invaded, ending dynasty in 1279.

Social aspects of Tang and Song periods

Agricultural advancements Population growth Division of labor Specialization of crafts Innovations in techniques and new

inventions. Changes in religion.

Agricultural development in Tang and Song Periods

Improvements in farming Heavy iron plows Oxen and water buffaloes Fertilized fields Irrigation systems Well organized food distribution system

Populations Expansion Increased food supply resulted in rapid

rise in population. Growth of cities Chang’an believed to be the world’s

largest city with estimated population of two million during Tang dynasty.

By Song Dynasty, China most urbanized area in the world.

Economy Abundant food supply allowed division

of labor. Specialization in technological areas Improved existing technologies and

invented new products.

Innovations in China Paper Printing Letters of credit/ cash Gunpowder/ explosives The magnetic compass Porcelain, fine china. Improvements in production of iron and steelInventions of China

Religious/Philosophical Traditions

Sects honoring family ancestors. Legalist, Confucian, Daoist

philosophies. Confucianism had declined with

collapse of Han dynasty, but saw a come back during this period.

New Religions in China

Mahayana Buddhism/Tibet Nestorian Christianity/Assyrian Church of

Persia Islam from Islamic Empire Zoroastrianism from Persia

Assyrian Church Adopted a version of Nestorianism, a form of

early Christianity that was rejected by the Byzantine church.

Assyrian Church believed that that Christ had two separate essences: human and divine.

Brought to China in 635 by missionaries. This was the first form of Christianity to be

introduced to China.

Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism/Tibet Bodhisatvas and multiple protector deities. Silk Road 1st or 2nd century CE Monastic communities Attraction: alternative view of the world that

related to chaos after Han dynasty, dealt with metaphysical issues that were neglected in Confucianism, strong moral and intellectual dimensions.

Buddhism Adaptations Use Daoist terms to express Buddhist concepts: Dharma (teachings of the Buddha) is called dao

“the way” Recognized validity of Chinese family life. Provided a means for Chinese families to gain

religious merit: supporting monks and giving one son to monastery.

For one son to become a monk would guarantee salvation for ten generations of his family.

Chan Buddhism (Zen) Influence of Daoism on Buddhism. Rejected Buddhist emphasis on texts,

logic, and intellectual rigor. Believed that spiritual awakening is

found through insight, awareness, meditation.

Critics of Buddhism Buddhist asceticism and monasticism

went against Confucian values. Support for Buddhism took away

sources of funding for Daoism. Buddhism seen as a superstition Monasteries seen as leeches upon

society.

Foreign religions suppressed

Emperor Wuzang of Tang (840-846) suppressed all foreign religions, including Buddhism and Christianity, which declined sharply in China.

Neo-Confucianism Adapted Buddhist themes and logical

reasoning to Confucian interests and values.

Added a metaphysical dimension to Confucianism

Supported by Song Dynasty