China’s Golden Age: The Tang Dynasty, 618-907

The Tang Dynasty

• The dynasty was founded by a government official: Li Huan (Gaozong)

• Chinese Emperors built on Sui and Han accomplishments; China becomes a worldly, sophisticated empire after a long period of chaos.

• The boundaries of empire were expanded. Tibet, Vietnam, and Korea become tributary states.

Improvements during the Tang dynasty

• poor peasants were given land so that government could collect taxes

• Rebuilt roads, canals and other infrastructure• The empire was similar to the Roman Empire, but

contained more people• Education, arts and science, literature flourished;

international trade increased.• All aspects of Chinese life and culture were

expanded and strengthened.

The Tang empire allowed women to be influential

Empress Wu: First and only Empress:ruled behind the scene for 30 years;eventually takes over after deposing her sons

Silk making: Silk trade established during Han dynasty and flourished during the Tang dynasty

• Step One: • Leaves are picked from the mulberry tree • Step Two: • The silkworms are stored on bamboo trays and feed mulberry leaves • Step Three: • The silkworm spins a cocoon • Step Four: • The cocoon is dropped into boiling water and the silk fibers come unwound • Step Five: • The thread is plucked from the water with chopsticks • Step Six: • A spinning machine is used to twist the thread into strands • Step Seven: • The stands are woven together on a loom • Step Eight: • The woven silk is dyed and hung to dry

Downfall of Tang:Emperor Ming (Xuanzong) wasn’t interested in government; fell in love with a women who liked another army commander, An Lushan.An Lushan rebels, forced Ming to flee. Took 8 years to put down rebellion; Tang dynasty was powerless to stop the rebellion.China was no longer a unified country; becomes fragmented once again until 960.