Empress Wu

Empress Wu 624-705 A.D.

Empress Wu was born in Chang’an China in 624.

Empress Wu is most famous for being the 1st woman to rule in China & -Not only did she rule by herself, but she

ruled for almost a century (690-705).Empress Wu went to great extremes to get her place as empress. -She strangled her own daughter & blamed

Empress Wang for the murder, just so she could replace the Empress.

FAME OF EMPRESS WU

When Wu Zetian was 13 she caught the eye of Emperor Taizong with he intelligence, wit and beauty.Emperor Taizong recruited her at the age of 14 as his concubine.

Emperor Taizong

Emperor Gaozong, son of Emperor TaizongHe was married to Wu Zetian after he had his wife, Empress Wang, replaced because Wu Zetian accused Wang of killing her daughter.

Empress Wu chose Buddhism over Daoism as the favored-state religion.Buddhism had it’s highest development during the rule of Empress Wu.

Empress Wu proved her doubters wrong & showed them that as a female ruler she could accomplish tasks for her country.She re-opened the Silk Road to make China & Middle Asia trading partners.

Empress Wu spent wasted little time taking rule & getting rid of those who weren’t loyal to her. -As soon as she became princess she

disposed of two chancellors that were once loyal to the former Empress.

"Empress Wu Zetian." Female Hero: (Women in World History Curriculum). N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2013. <http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine6.html>."Empress Wu Zetian." N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2013. <http://eastjourney.com/html/history/wuzetian.htm>."Tang Empress Wu Zetian." TravelChinaGuide. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2013. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/emperor_wuzetian.htm>."Wu Zhao Biography: Empress Wu." Totally History Empress Wu Zetian Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2013. <http://totallyhistory.com/empress-wu-zetian/>.