Unit XVI – China of the Middle Ages

China – The Dynasties of The Golden Ages through the 20th

Century

Copyright 2006; C. Pettinato, RCS High School, All Rights Reserved

1. The Two Golden Ages of China

• A. The Tang Dynasty

• 1. 618 – 907• 2. founded - Li Yuan, taken over by his son Li Shimin -

admired• 3. conquered to Afghanistan (largest size)• 4. Vietnam, Korea tributary states• 5. Accomplishments – bureaucracy, civil service, land to

peasants, increased revenue, canals, trade, transportation, Grand Canal, agricultural center – north, mechanical clock, gunpowder, the arts

2. The Two Golden Ages (cont.)

• B. The Song Dynasty• 1. 960 – 1279• 2. founder Zhao Kuangyin• 3. lost some territory to the Mongols• 4. wealth and culture dominated Asia• 5. center of agriculture shifts to south• 6. increased productivity• 7. Accomplishments; foreign trade, better ships,

paper money, large cities (1 mil.), smallpox vaccine, moveable type, spinning wheel, the arts

3. Social Structure (Class Hierarchy)

• A. What were the classes of Chinese society under the Tang and Song Dynasties?

• 1. monarchy• 2. gentry• 3. peasants• 4. merchants

4. Video

5. Tang and Song China

6. The Yuan Dynasty

• A. The Mongolians – founder Genghiz Kahn, Kublai Kahn (The Golden Horde) from Mongolia

• B. the war machine• C. the use of the cannon, missiles• D. effects of Mongolian Rule

– 1. expanded size of China– 2. extensive military– 3. became tolerant rulers– 4. arts, scholarship flourished– 5. political stability– 6. trade with Europe – Silk Road– 7. techniques of paper making, gunpowder, windmills

moved east

7. The Yuan Dynasty

8. Kublai Kahn

9. Video

10. Venice – the Hometown of Marco Polo

11. The Ming Dynasty

• A. 1368 – 1644• B. restored Civil Service System• C. Board of Censors over the bureaucracy• D. improved agriculture• E. repaired extensive canals• F. new technologies in manufacturing – ex.

porcelain production• G. book production increased• H. revival of arts and literature• I. voyages of Zheng He

12. The Qing Dynasty (The Manchus)

• A. 1644 – 1926 – from Manchuria• B. extended empire north and west• C. the Conquering of Taiwan• D. adopted Chinese customs• E. top jobs given to Manchus• F. Accomplishments; internal peace, govt.

work projects, intensive farming of land, terraces, internal trade - fish, timber, textiles, luxury goods, silk, porcelain, trade with Europeans

13. Important Terms and People

• A. Golden Age• B. tributary state• C. Li Shimin• D. Grand Canal• E. Zhao Kuangyin• F. block printing• G. moveable type• H. gentry

• I. peasantry• J. lowly merchants• M. Tang and Song

women• N. binding of the feet• O. Mongolian military• P. Marco Polo• Q. Zheng He• R. Boxer Rebellion