Golden Ages of ChinaGolden Ages of China

The Han DynastyThe Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.) (206 B.C.–220 A.D.)

One of the longest of China’s major dynasties. One of the longest of China’s major dynasties. It rivaled the Roman Empire in the West.It rivaled the Roman Empire in the West. With only minor interruptions it lasted a span With only minor interruptions it lasted a span

of over four centuries and is considered a of over four centuries and is considered a “Golden Age” in Chinese history especially in “Golden Age” in Chinese history especially in arts, politics and technology.arts, politics and technology.

DynastyDynasty- a line of hereditary rulers of a - a line of hereditary rulers of a country.country.

China escaped the China escaped the chaos and ruin that chaos and ruin that came to a lot of regions came to a lot of regions as a result of the fall of as a result of the fall of the Roman Empire.the Roman Empire.

China’s history consists China’s history consists of the rise and fall of of the rise and fall of various dynasties.various dynasties.

After the Han Dynasty After the Han Dynasty collapsed in 220, China collapsed in 220, China remained divided-into remained divided-into North and South.North and South.

This division lasted until This division lasted until the Tang Dynasty took the Tang Dynasty took over in 618 over in 618

The Tang Dynasty restored The Tang Dynasty restored uniform government uniform government throughout China and throughout China and enlarged the civil service.enlarged the civil service.

Under the Tang, China Under the Tang, China conquered many lands, like conquered many lands, like Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam. Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam.

The most powerful The most powerful emperor was Taizong.emperor was Taizong.

Empress Wu ruled in the Empress Wu ruled in the late 600s: only woman to late 600s: only woman to rule in Chinarule in China

Empress Wu624-705 A.D.

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Tang Dynasty (618-906 A.D.)

Tang DynastyTang Dynasty Conquered lands became Conquered lands became

“tributary states”-meaning “tributary states”-meaning they remained independent they remained independent but had to acknowledge but had to acknowledge Chinese supremacy.Chinese supremacy.

““land reform”-broke up land reform”-broke up land and redistributed it to land and redistributed it to peasants.peasants.

They built a system of They built a system of canals and built the Grand canals and built the Grand Canal, which linked the Canal, which linked the Huang-He to the Yangzi. Huang-He to the Yangzi.

Even though they were Even though they were successful, the successful, the dynastic dynastic cyclecycle took over and took over and collapsed in 907.collapsed in 907.

Song DynastySong Dynasty In 960, China was In 960, China was

reunited under the Song reunited under the Song Dynasty which ruled for Dynasty which ruled for 319 years. 319 years.

Under the Song, the Under the Song, the Chinese culture and Chinese culture and economy expanded and economy expanded and trade flourished. trade flourished.

They issued paper money They issued paper money due to their booming due to their booming trade centers and became trade centers and became a very wealthy dynasty a very wealthy dynasty known for their economic known for their economic success.success.

Society During the SongSociety During the Song Chinese society during Chinese society during

this time was well this time was well ordered. ordered. At the top-the emperor and At the top-the emperor and

his court of aristocratic his court of aristocratic familiesfamilies

The gentry (wealthy land The gentry (wealthy land owners)owners)

At the bottom- peasantsAt the bottom- peasants During the late Song During the late Song

Dynasty, women had Dynasty, women had much fewer rights and much fewer rights and the custom of foot the custom of foot binding began. binding began. This reinforced the This reinforced the

Confucian tradition that Confucian tradition that women should stay inside women should stay inside the home.the home.

Why foot binding?Why foot binding? Women had a subordinate position that had to be enforcedWomen had a subordinate position that had to be enforced The tradition started in the aristocratic sect of society but The tradition started in the aristocratic sect of society but

eventually spread to lower classeseventually spread to lower classes Feet were bound with strips of cloth-as a result feet Feet were bound with strips of cloth-as a result feet

became half the size of a foot that was allowed to grow became half the size of a foot that was allowed to grow normallynormally

Tiny feet and an extended walk became a symbol of Tiny feet and an extended walk became a symbol of nobility and beautynobility and beauty

Women feared not being able to find a husband if their feet Women feared not being able to find a husband if their feet were largewere large

The practice was extremely painfulThe practice was extremely painful Peasants who had to work in the fields did not bind their Peasants who had to work in the fields did not bind their

feet because binding often prevented women from being feet because binding often prevented women from being able to walkable to walk

Foot binding reinforced the Confucian believe that women Foot binding reinforced the Confucian believe that women should remain inside the home.should remain inside the home.

FootbindingFootbinding

Assignment for Today!Assignment for Today! Look in your book on pages 302-307 Look in your book on pages 302-307

and identify a technology or and identify a technology or achievement of the Tang or Song achievement of the Tang or Song Dynasties.Dynasties.

Draw, describe, and color a specific Draw, describe, and color a specific technology on a ¼ of a piece of technology on a ¼ of a piece of paper.paper.

Description should be at least 3-4 sentencesDescription should be at least 3-4 sentences Then we will make a “quilt” and put Then we will make a “quilt” and put

your technologies together. your technologies together. Then do page 307 in the book 1-5Then do page 307 in the book 1-5