Tang & Song China

Golden Ages

Two Great Dynasties in China During the Tang (618-

907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, China becomes the richest, powerful, and most advanced country in the world.

Main Idea: Tang and Song

China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.

Why it Matters Now: Chinese inventions

from this period, such as printing, gunpowder, and the compass, changed history.

The Tang Dynasty World View:

The Song Dynasty World View: looks east towards the sea

west along the Silk Road

Trade/Foreign Contacts Silk Road

west; Tang Dynasty

Trade/Foreign Contacts Silk Road

west; Tang Dynasty ocean ships

east, Song Dynasty Korea Japan India Persian Gulf east Africa

Agriculture imported fast-

ripening rice from Vietnam

Agriculture imported fast-

ripening rice from Vietnam

allowed two crops each season instead of one

Agriculture imported fast-

ripening rice from Vietnam

allowed two crops each season instead of one

fueled population increase

Science and Technology mathematics flourished

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of

algebra and the concept of zero

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of

algebra and the concept of zero

invented movable type

Science and Technology mathematics flourished adopted the use of

algebra and the concept of zero

invented movable type developed gunpowder

Inventions of Tang and Song China

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and

urban culture = artistic achievement

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and

urban culture = artistic achievement

great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and

urban culture = artistic achievement

great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu

Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty

Golden Age of Art wealth, education, and

urban culture = artistic achievement

great poetry Li Bo and Du Fu

Three-color ware was one of the greatest contributions of the Tang Dynasty.

Many figurines, predominantly horses and camels, were produced.

Most of these pieces have been found in the more affluent tombs of the Tang period

Tang Only Song OnlyBoth

Expanded the empire,

had a female ruler,adopted Buddhism

Prospered through trade,

improved agriculture, created great

art and literature

Ruled smaller empire,

developed into great sea

power, created paper money and movable

type

The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared