The Reunification and Revival of Post-Classical China

The Reunification and Revival of Post-Classical ChinaChapter TwelveAP World HistoryMs. Tully

Quick Review of Chinese History

Xia, Shang, Zhou DynastiesEra of Warring StatesQin DynastyHan DynastyThree Kingdoms Period (Northern Qi; Northern Zhou; Chen)

Sui Dynasty (589-618)Return to strong dynastic control in China Wendi, Northern Zhou Emperor Widespread popularityBuddhist; expands Buddhism

Sui CollapseYangdi, Son of WendiMilder legal code, supports Confucian educationScholar-gentry reestablishedExpensive building projects & excessive luxury611-614: Attack Korea failure618: Assassinated by own ministers

Grand CanalCanal system built by Sui & TangBuild to accommodate population shift and transportation of goods and revenue Millet in North, Rice in South1100 miles long1 million forced laborers

Tang Dynasty (618-907)Li Yuan, Duke of Tang Emperor Gauzo of TangUsed armies to unite China Assimilation of Turkic nomadsExpands empire into Tibet, Vietnam, Manchuria, Korea Great Wall repaired and strengthened

Tang Dynastyat greatest extent

Rebuilding the Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy collapsed with Han dynastyGoal #1: Revive scholar-gentry (bureaucrats)Goal #2: Rework Confucian ideologyLevels of political control needed from Imperial palace to small district Executive department w/ 6 ministriesBureau of CensorsNew capital Chang’an

The Growing Importance of the

Examination SystemExamination system expanded # of educated scholars risesMinistry of Rites established to administer examsJinshi: those who passed the most difficult/highest examsSpecial social privileges emergeEntrance into bureaucracy still exclusive

State and Religion in the Tang

Buddhism had grown in popularity during Six Dynasties EraMahayana BuddhismChan (Zen) BuddhismEarly tang supported Buddhism; Empress Wu (690-705)

Anti-Buddhist BacklashBuddhist success leads to criticism by Confucians Tang lost revenue and labor power841-847: Persecution under Emperor WuzongConfucianism emerges as the central ideology; Buddhism is weakened

Tang Decline8th C: Signs of declineEmperor Xuanzong (713-756)Yang Guifei royal concubine of Xuanzong755: An Lishan Rebellion907: last Tang emperor resigns

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period

907-960Five Dynasties in Northern China succeeded one another rapidly

Later LiangLater TangLater JinLater HanLater Zhou (General Zhao Kuangyin conquers other kingdoms and unifies China)

Ten Kingdoms in Southern China existed concurrently and controlled their own territory Wu

WuyueMinChuSouthern Han

Former ShuLater ShuJinganSouthern TangNorthern Han

Song Dynasty (960-1279)

Northern Song: 960-1127Southern Song: 1127-1279960: General Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu) founds Song DynastyCould not defeat northern Liao dynasty in ManchuriaNot as politically or militarily as powerful as Tang dynastyContinued growth of bureaucracy

Neo-ConfuciansRevivers of pure Confucian thought and teachingsImportance of philosophy in everyday life; stress personal moralityHostility to foreign ideasEmphasis on tradition: gender, class, age distinctions reinforcedBecame dominant interpretation of Confucianism

Attempts at Reform & Southern Song Dynasty

Increase in tribute to nomadic tribesLarge military an increasing burdenWang Anshi (1070s – 1080s) introduces reformsAgricultural expansion; landlords/scholars-gentry taxedBureaucratic reforms analytical thinking over memorization1085: Emperor Shenzong dies; reforms reversed by neo-Confucians and new emperor1115: Jin Kingdom founded north of Song EmpireSong flee to south new capital at Hangzhou

A New Phase of Commercial Expansion

Canal systems + Silk Roads = commercial expansion booming!Commerce expands in cities and trading townsUrban growth; Chang’an capital w/ 2 million ppl

Silk Roads & Indian Ocean Trade

Tribal societies drawn to riches of Silk Road raided tradersChinese rulers protect trade and travelers on Silk Roads urban developmentIncrease in ocean trade Chinese JunksEstablished market network along Indian ocean coast rival Arabs for control

Expanding Agrarian Production

Economy stimulated by advances in farmingTang and Song rulers try to promote agricultural production and peasantsCanals help transport produce quicklyBreakup of aristocratic estates divided up among peasantry

Family in the Tang-Song Era

Male-dominated and respect for elders supported by Neo-ConfuciansElite women have broader opportunitiesArranged marriagesDivorce widely available if both husband and wife consentNeo-Confucian greatly reduce role of women in late Song period confinement, repression

Foot-BindingSymbol of subordinationBegin binding feet at 2-5 y/oIdeal length: 3 inchesConsidered highly attractive and erotic by menDies out by early 20th C

Cultural Achievements Renaissance of Chinese poetry & painting nature themeScholars are now cultural producers Paper techniques refined development of moveable type in 1041Gunpowder & fireworks (9th C)Abacus, wheelbarrow