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