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THE “GOLDEN AGE” OF CHINA
THE TANG AND SONG DYNASTIES
THE TANG DYNASTY
Ruled from 618-907 Main leaders
Tang Taizong- began Tang dynasty and expanded into North and West
Wu Zhao- led campaign into Korea, only official female emperor of China
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Restored bureaucracy Larger upper class emerged, called
“gentry” Poetry- Li Bo and Tu Fu Regained control over Silk Road Improved the Grand Canal (which
had lost the Sui Dynasty support) and roads
Promoted foreign trade and agricultural improvements (terrace farming)
REASONS FOR DECLINE
HEAVY taxes- remember the mandate of heaven?
Defeated by Muslim armies in 751- lost land
Loss of Central Asia caused general decline
Last two emperors murdered in 904 and 907
THE SONG DYNASTY
Lasted from 960-1279 Main leader: Song Taizu
Reunited China after warlords split China up into ten separate kingdoms following Tang Dynasty
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Had at least 10 cities with population over
1 million Imported new variety of rice from Vietnam Became very successful traders- result was
many foreigners living in Chinese cities Painting with Daoist influences became
popular Carefully studied human anatomy and
made models of the body Made advancements to math and algebra
(negative numbers) Restored civil service exam’s popularity Spread Buddhism
THE END OF THE SONG
Jurchens from Manchuria attacked and established the Jin Empire
Forced Song Dynasty south
THE “SOUTHERN SONG”
Had major military issues (nomads), but were a significant economic power
Traded with nomads, Jin Dynasty, and people of the Middle East and Europe
The end: Mongols Invade!!!
CHINA vs. EUROPE
PorcelainDeveloped in China in late 700s
Developed in Europe in 1708
MECHANICAL CLOCK
- China- developed in 725
- Europe- introduced in 1176
PRINTING
Chinese: Block printing- 700s
Movable type- 1040
- Europe- Block printing- 1400s; Movable type 1453
GUNPOWDER
Chinese- 800s
Europe- 1248
PAPER MONEY
China- 960s Europe-
1660s
MAGNETIC COMPASS
China: 1080s
Europe: 1187
