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Do Now: What are the aspects of a Golden
Age and how do they affect society?
What do you remember about the Han
Dynasty?
Background
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 *China remained divided for almost 400 years after the collapse of the
Han dynasty.
 Instead of entering a “Dark Age” China merely entered a post Golden
Age where farm production expanded and technologies were slowly
advanced.
 Religion spread while education and art continued to be taught or
influenced.
 Although invaders infiltrated northern China they often accepted and
adopted the Chinese civilization instead of demolishing it.
 *During the Sui dynasty, emperor Sui Wendi was able to reunite the
north and south of China.
 *However, China didn’t reach its peak or glory until 618 which was
the start of the Tang Dynasty.
 *There were emperors who had usurped or illegally taken over the
thrown such as empress Wu Zhao.
Tang Dynasty
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 *First Tang emperor was Li Yuan
 *While the Sui dynasty was collapsing, Li Yuan and his
son managed to lead a revolt eventually crushing all
rivals and establishing the Tang dynasty.
 Later on, Li Yuan stepped down and gave the thrown to
his son, Li Shimin. (also know as Tang Taizong)
 *Conquered territories deep in Central Asia and forced
neighboring countries to send tributes as well as
recognize China as the superior power.
 *These were called tributary states
Government & Economy
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 *Under the Tang Dynasty, future emperors were able to rebuild the
bureaucracy and enlarge the civil service system to recruit officials trained
in Confucian philosophy.
 *Organized schools to prepare male students for exams
 Developed a flexible law code
 *Instituted a system of land reform
 *This policy strengthen the central government by decreasing the power of
large land owners.
 *Since peasants who farmed their own land were able to pay the taxes this
increased government revenue.
 *Established a system of canals that increased trade and transportation.
 The Grand Canal linked the Huang River to the Yangzi River and was the
largest waterway ever dug by human labor at the time.
Decline
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 *Lost territories to Arabs in Central Asia
 *Corruption, high taxes, drought, famine and
rebellions all contributed to the downfall.
 *In 907, the Tang Dynasty was finally overthrown by
a rebel general
 *During the collapse of the dynasty the chaos that
was involved did not last long.
Tang Dynasty
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Song Dynasty
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Educated general unites most of China and founded the Song dynasty.
*Ruled for 319 years
Faced constant invaders in the north
*In the early 1100’s the weakened Song moved to the south of the Huang
He.
*After this, continued to rule for another 150 years.
Furthermore, even after military setbacks the Song Dynasty is still marked
as one of the golden ages in China.
*Chinese wealth and culture took over East Asia. (Economy expanded)
*Agricultural reforms.
*Foreign trade flourished
*Government made paper money to increase trade
China was now the center of trade other than before in future times where
it had been the centers of government.
Song Dynasty
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Chinese Society
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 Well- ordered society
Emperor,
Aristocratic
families
Gentry
Peasants
Gentry
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 *Wealthy landowners
 *Were very studious in Confucian philosophy
 *Could afford to study for years in order to pass the
civil service exam.
 *Often served in provinces as allies of the emperors
officials.
 *Valued education more than physical labor
 New schools of Confucian philosophy emphasized
social order based on duty, rank and proper
behavior.
Peasants
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 Worked the land, depended on what they produced
 Lived in small self sufficient villages that managed
their own affairs
 Often relied on one another rather than the
government.
 Could move up in social classes through education
and government service.
Merchants & Women
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 *Gained great wealth but was still socially lower than peasants
according to the Confucian tradition.
 Within the home, women were called to run family matters
 Couldn’t remarry or keep her dowry.
 Women lower positions were strengthened when the tradition of
foot- binding had emerged.
 Feet's of young girls were bound with long strips of cloths
producing a lily shaped foot about half the size of a foot that was
allowed to grow normally.
 This practice was really painful.
 Gave the concept that tiny feet and a stilted walk resembled beauty
and nobility.
 This practice often gave women the inability to walk without help.
 This reinforced the Confucius concept that women should stay
inside the home.
 Not everyone were feet bound.
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Arts and Literature
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 *Poetry, Painting and Calligraphy were important skills
 *Song Dynasty recognized the art of landscape painting.
 Misty mountains and delicate bamboo fprests were mostly used
to portray Chinese landscapes.
 *Painters produced vivid pictures of emperors or scenes of city
life.
 *Architecture was influenced by Buddhist themes.
 *One impact was the pagoda.
 *Perfected skills in making porcelain, a shiny valuable pottery.
Pagoda- a multistoried temple with eaves that curves up at the
corners.
Literature
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 *Tang and Song dynasties majored in prose and
poetry.
 *Short stories was introduced as well.
 *Poetry was most respected.
 *As many as 200 major and 400 minor poets
throughout the Tang and Song dynasty.
 *Many poems reflected on the shortness of life and
the immensity of the universe.
 *Greatest Tang Poet was Li Bo.
Activity
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