Two Golden Ages in China:
Tang & Song Dynasties
Two Golden Ages in China:
Tang & Song Dynasties
Two Great Dynasties in ChinaTwo Great Dynasties in China
During the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, China became the richest, powerful, most advanced country in the world.
During the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, China became the richest, powerful, most advanced country in the world.
Main Idea:Tang & Song
China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.
Main Idea:Tang & Song
China experienced an era of prosperity and technological innovation.
Why it Matters: Inventions from this period such as printing & gunpowder dramatically changed history.
Why it Matters: Inventions from this period such as printing & gunpowder dramatically changed history.
Tang Dynasty Accomplishments
Tang Dynasty Accomplishments
Rulers such as Li Yuan, the 1st emperor, expanded Chinese empire.
-----How? Vietnam, Tibet, and Korea became tributary states (independent but had to show loyalty, pay taxes to China)
Enlarged civil service system
Rulers such as Li Yuan, the 1st emperor, expanded Chinese empire.
-----How? Vietnam, Tibet, and Korea became tributary states (independent but had to show loyalty, pay taxes to China)
Enlarged civil service system
Tang Dynasty AccomplishmentsTang Dynasty Accomplishments
Established land reform (redistributed land to peasants)- Think: Where have we seen this before?....
Effect of land reform: tax revenue from peasants
Grand Canal was built- linked Yellow (Huang He) to Yangzi River)
Established land reform (redistributed land to peasants)- Think: Where have we seen this before?....
Effect of land reform: tax revenue from peasants
Grand Canal was built- linked Yellow (Huang He) to Yangzi River)
Song DynastySong Dynasty
Controlled less territory than the Tang
Economy expanded, especially in farming due to better irrigation and crop production
Foreign trade exploded under both dynasties
Controlled less territory than the Tang
Economy expanded, especially in farming due to better irrigation and crop production
Foreign trade exploded under both dynasties
Chinese SocietyChinese Society Three main social
groupings:1.Gentry
(landowners)2.Peasants
(farmers)3.Merchants
(Businessmen)
Three main social groupings:
1.Gentry (landowners)
2.Peasants (farmers)
3.Merchants(Businessmen)
Status of WomenStatus of Women Most remained
within the home but enjoyed great authority over family affairs.
Absorbed into husband’s family after marriage.
This reflects Confucian traditions.
Most remained within the home but enjoyed great authority over family affairs.
Absorbed into husband’s family after marriage.
This reflects Confucian traditions.
Achievements of Tang/SongAchievements of Tang/Song Mechanical clock Gunpowder (huge
in warfare, empire-building)
Block print, movable type
Smallpox vaccine Landscape
painting Poetry (Li Bo/ Li
Bai- Tang poet)
Mechanical clock Gunpowder (huge
in warfare, empire-building)
Block print, movable type
Smallpox vaccine Landscape
painting Poetry (Li Bo/ Li
Bai- Tang poet)
Inventions of Tang and Song ChinaInventions of Tang and Song China
Most of these pieces have been found in the more affluent tombs of the Tang period
Most of these pieces have been found in the more affluent tombs of the Tang period
Tang Only Song Only Both
Expanded empire by
establishing tributary states,
adopted Buddhism
Prospered due to trade,
improved agriculture, great art & literature,
created ordered society
Ruled smaller empire,
developed into great sea power,
created movable
type
The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared
The Tang and Song Dynasties Compared