The Two Golden Ages of China
World History I
November 12, 2013
The Tang Dynasty• The Tang dynasty was founded
by emperor Tang Taizong• He was a successful conqueror,
he made many government reforms, and he was educated
• They conquered much of Central Asia and forced neighboring lands into being tributary states
• Under the Tang, the government was unified and strong• Education
• New Legislation
• Land Reforms
• Trading
Decline of the Tang Dynasty
• The Tang Dynasty was in power until the mid-700s
• The An-Shi Rebellion destroyed the prosperity of the empire
• Led by An Lushan, he wanted to form the Yan dynasty and takeover the Chinese Empire
• An first won, but the Tang restored their power
• After the rebellion, there was no strong leader, and the dynasty ended
The Song Dynasty• In 960, a scholarly general
reunited much of China and founded the Song dynasty
• East Asia, under the Song, was dominated by wealth and culture
• Farming began to center on rice• With a surplus of crops, farmers
were able to focus on other things, such as education and the arts
• Foreign trade flourished, and China did a great deal of business with Southeast Asia and Africa
Chinese Society• Scholar – Officials
• Highly educated
• Studied law, government, history, & philosophy
• Influenced government
• Gentry• Wealthy landowning class
• Highly educated
• Study Confucian philosophy
• Peasants• A majority of the population
• Self governed
• Many were farmers
• Merchants• The lowest class
• These were traders in market towns
Chinese Culture & Inventions
• The family was an important aspect of society• Men were in control
• Women were supposed to be submissive to men• They were below men in
society
• Reinforced by footbinding
Chinese Culture & Inventions
• Prosperity of the Tang and Song Dynasties allowed for new innovations• Mechanical Clock
• Gunpowder
• Block Printing
• Moveable Type