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Medieval China Sui, Tang, Song Dynasties Mongol Yuan Dynasty Medieval China – Politics (After Han) • Era of the Six Dynasties – constant civil war with series of nomadic invasions (Xiongnu and others) • China turns to messianic creeds offering salvation – Daoism and Mahayana Buddhism (Fa Xian supporter) Practice AP Question Which of the following is the proper sequence of Chinese dynasties? • a. Tang, Zhou, Shang, Ming, Han • b. Shang, Zhou, Han, Tang, Ming • c. Han, Shang, Song, Tang, Ming • d. Shang, Han, Zhou, Tang, Ming • e. Zhou, Tang, Shang, Ming, Han Medieval China – Politics (Sui) Sui (589-618) • Yang Jian (aristocrat) unified and turned to Buddhism and Daoism – building monasteries and appointed monks to key political advisors • Builder – 1,400 mile Grand Canal (link Yellow and Yangtze rivers – good for communication and bring southern rice north), capital at Chang’an (see later) • Decline – expensive military campaigns (failed against Turks, then Korea in 618), tyrannical ruler, last one murdered and general Li Yuan took over Medieval China – Politics (Tang) • Aggressive expansionist foreign policy – 88 Asian people controlled by them, NW pacified to control silk road, conquest of part of Tibet, southern provinces fully assimilated, tribute from Korea and Vietnam, Japan sends officials to learn about China • Chang’an becomes greatest city – 2 million people • Buddhism supreme • Tang aristocracy incorporates nonChinese ideas – Turkish, Arab, Korean, Japanese, Indian and Persian merchants influence. Medieval China – Politics (Tang) Empress Wu (690-705) • Only woman to rule China as independent sovereign • Concubine of emperor Gao-zong – used her power to place relatives in key positions, owed loyalty to her when he died • Deposed in her 80s by aristocratic reaction to her excesses and nepotism (favoritism to relatives) • Regarded as evil villain – but not really bad ruler Medieval China – Politics (Tang) Yang Guifei concubine of Xuan-zong (713756) • Emperor so enamored of her she controlled court politics for last years of reign • Spent lavishly on her • Led to rebellion led by General An Lushan, emperor will abdicate throne, Yang Guifei strangled. Medieval China – Politics (Tang) Weakness of Tang – empire expanded beyond effective communication and control (provincial governors rebelled), as wealth increased – corruption and intrigue (eunuchs controlled access to emperors, became policy makers), expanded bureaurcacy led to increased tax and peasant revolts and land given to rich landlords. 10th century – Khitan (northern nomadic people) caused collapse (used classic strategy of “barbarians to oppose barbarians” – hired Turkish Uighurs to protect Silk Road, but Kirghis [another nomadic group] defeated Uighurs and then turned on Tang) AP Practice Which of the following is accurate about the Tang Dynasty and the Byzantine Empire? • a. While the Byzantine Empire had a large urban center, the Tang Dynasty was more decentralized with small towns along trading routes. • b. Both of their governments consisted of bureaucrats who received a standardized education. • c. Women in the upper classes gained additional rights and access to social mobility in both societies. • d. There was considerable overlap between church and state both in governmental affairs and everyday life in both societies. • e. Silk weaving was the major industry only in the Tang Dynasty. Medieval China – Politics (Song) Northern Song (960 to 1127) • General Zhao Kuang-yin unified northern China (except nomadic Khitan), moved capital east to Kaifeng (where Grand Canal was) • Constant threat from Central Eurasian nomads Medieval China – Politics (Song) Southern Song (1127 to 1279). • Nomadic pressures – forced to move capital south to Hangzhou on coast of Yangtze • Lost control of Tibet • Economic expansion • Increased pop. to 40 million • Song rulers forced to pay tribute to foreigners (Jurchen/Jin in Manchuria) Medieval China – Politics (Song) • While foreign control over north, economic growth in south (agricultural innovations, rise of merchant guilds, strong navy, paper money – until printed more money then value) • State Confucianism restored • Formed alliance with Mongols (new and obscure nomadic group from Gobi Desert) who defeated Jurchen then turned on Song – series of river battles using catapults and gunpowder Medieval China – Politics (civil service) • Grand Council – included representatives from civil, military, and censorate • Paper began to make education and thus civil service more open to all classes (meritocracy)– Song wanted to reduce power of noble families so relatives of imperial courts and eunuchs prohibited from exams, but nevertheless still rising professionalism of bureaucracy among landed gentry, nonaristocratic landowners (scholar-gentry) • Three levels of examination (under Tang included Buddhist and Daoist texts) – Tang – covered name so less chance of nepotism • Censors appointed to investigate cases of official wrongdoings • Lowest level – village allowed to administer themselves – hands of council of elders – maintained local irrigation, transportation, militia, and collect taxes AP Practice Under the Tang and Song dynasties, • a. the Confucian civil service system was disbanded. • b. the family declined in importance. • c. tea was imported from Cambodia. • d. class divisions were abolished. • e. Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam. Mongols Pastorial people from Mongolia. Organized into clans. Temujin (orphan and poor) – unified the Mongols and in 1206 elected Genghis Khan (strong ruler) Land where Genghis was born. Lived in portable “yurts” Mongolian Army Not huge army – 130,000 men – all men subject to conscription Strength based on strategy & mobility (flying columns of horse-back archers [compound bow and stirrup]– each soldier had 2 up to 16 horses – could swap) – small units (10) to be able to deploy in ambushes and feint-retreat Could easily defeat sedentary people who often could not afford horses Genghis Khan’s Empire Only death of Genghis stopped all out attack on Europe Capital at Karakorum – but prohibited fellow Mongols from sedentary occupations or living in cities – but under successors will settle into administrative positions Treatment of Conquered Territory Used fear – would decimate towns. If one came out in open – would be saved; if tried to hide – would be killed. One town where son-in-law killed – he had it destroyed to the ground so that the land could now be plowed After the death of Chinggis Khan’s grandson Mongke in 1259, the Mongol world devolved into four successor states. Kublai Khan’s emerged as the most powerful, but only after a long struggle with Song China. In Central Asia, the Chagatai dominated the eastern steppe; the Golden Horde became established in southwest Russia; and the Il-Khan in Persia ruled from Kabul to Anatolia. Medieval China – Politics (Yuan) • Mongol Dynasty (1279-1368) • Khublai Khan – grandson of Chingis created most expansionist period in Chinese history • Used Chinese military and navy – Korea conquered in 1258, Vietnam and Burma in 1280s, naval expedition to Java in 1292 • Used Chinese bureaucratic system – became partially sinicized (more Chinese), but patronized Buddhism over Confucianism and caste system reserved highest position for Mongols, favored foreigners like Marco Polo, Confucian scholars refused to serve • Created Pax Mongolia – peace and stability along Silk Road • After death of Khublai, social and economic stress (Yellow river changed course and flooded, Grand Canal ruined, Buddhist Monks – Red Turbans rebelled) Japan’s Kamikaze 1274, 1281 Tried to go against Japan but horse archery not successful against islands According to myth twice Japan saved by “kamikaze” divine winds or typhoons (Reality – ships were flat bottom boats – not good for rough sea; also may have been sabotaged by Chinese shipbuilders upset with Mongols) The central and east Asian stability imposed by Mongol rule - the"Mongol Peace" brought mixed benefits. Trade flourished, and travelers such as Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo were able to write remarkable accounts of the lands they visited. At the same time, however, vectors for other travelers, such as the rats that carried bubonic plague, also opened up. The Black Death, originating in Central Asia, was one of a succession of plagues that followed the trade routes by land and sea, decimating parts of Europe and China. Mongol Empire Golden Horde (Tartars) One of the khanates or grandson of Genghis Khan, Batu Khan, advanced far into eastern Europe and established in 1251 the rule of the Golden Horde in Russia. As a result, Russia experienced a cultural decay and isolation from Europe - reason for why Russia is part of Asia during Middle Ages. Practice AP Question “We Mongols believe that there is but one God, by Whom we live, and by Whom we die, and toward Him we have an upright heart. But just as God gives different fingers to the hand, so has He given different ways to men.” Mongol Khan, as witnessed by William of Rubuck, a Franciscan Friar who met Mongke Khan What Mongol attitude or policy does the above quote best reflect? a. The determination of the Mongols to eliminate polytheism. b. The animistic nature of the traditional Mongolian religion. c. The Mongol preference toward monotheistic religions like Islam. d. The religious tolerance of Mongols toward other peoples. e. The frequent conversion of Mongols to Tibetan Buddhism. AP Practice The Mongols a. succeeded in their attempt to conquer Japan. b. facilitated trade along the Silk Roads. c. constructed cities and irrigation systems during their conquest of Persia. d. had little respect for craftsmen and their work. e. established no communications with western Europe. AP Practice The Mongol Empire was divided into four Khanates, which governed all of the following lands EXCEPT a. China b. Korea c. Russia d. Persia e. Japan Medieval China - Economics • Under Tang - Created land-equalization system - redistributing land based on size of house-hold – strengthen central govt., weakened power of large landholders, but will be abandoned. Song will try to use progressive land tax to limit size • Shift from Yellow River to Yangtze as center of economy • Prosperity under Song due to new agricultural inventions (chain pump) and new strain of rice from SE Asia. • Urban sector of economy increasing despite official dislike (especially in area of steel and wrought iron); trade expanded with Uighurs but Silk Road had bandits so much now by sea • Song – merchant guilds established with money economy and credit (“flying money” - under Tang), banking (string of coins cumbersome) • Inflation – paper not backed by coin • Gifts to tribute states from “elder brother” led to economic problems Medieval China - Religious • After collapse of Han – Buddhism and Daoism appeal to masses and some ruling class (Tang), even Christian church in Chang’an by Syrian merchants in 6th century CE • Buddhism breaks into sects – Chan (Zen) called for strict mind control for enlightenment; Pure Land - stressed devotion; Tantrism – stressed symbols; White Lotus – rebellious group seeking “savior Buddha” • Buddhist monasteries accumulated 1000s of acres and serfs – tax exempt (caused corruption and popular dislike – during later Tang monasteries destroyed and monks returned to secular life) • Uighur Kingdom – supported Manichaeanism (offshoot of Zoroastrianism w/influence of Christianity) Medieval China - Religion Neo-Confucianism • Changed by Buddhism & Daoism to include more metaphysical interest in nature of universe • Zhu Xi (Chu His) – 12th century philosopher who reinvigorated Confucianism – ideas tested in civil service in his “School of Mind” • State doctrine until 20th century • Encourages moral principles over expansion of scientific knowledge (no scientific method, no method of geometry, lacked zero and Arabic numerals, lagged in astronomy, physics and optics) • Favored scholar-gentry not commercial middle class (unlike Europe where Renaissance comes from middle class) Medieval China - Society • Scholar/landed gentry most influential force in Chinese society – controlled most of wealth in rural area and produced most of candidates for bureaucracy; some upward and downward mobility • Females still considered less desirable especially under Song Neo-Confucianism (female infanticide, concubines w/less rights; females now had to pay dowry to men, foot binding – limited to scholar gentry class) Footbinding young girls anywhere from the age of four to six before arch developed. the four smallest toes on each foot were broken silk bandages, ten feet long and two inches wide, were wrapped around the smallest toes and pulled tightly to the heel. Every two days, the binding was removed and rebound. After 3 years foot basically died causing great stenches and sometimes led to death of child through infection Although prohibited later during Manchu dynasty still continued and still found in countryside today. Medieval China – Intellectual/Tech. ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. • Sui’s Grand Canal • Tang’s City of Chang’an (eastern most city of Silk Road – wealthiest in world) Tang Technologies Steel introduced (mixing cast iron and wrought iron in fire) for swords Cotton introduced Gunpowder (950) for explosives and primitive flamethrowers (40 yrds) made of saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal (will reach west by 14th century due to Arabs) Mechanical Clocks (learned water-powered clocks from Middle Easterners) Compass and sternpost rudder Medieval China – Art/Literature • Paper introduced during Han but used for clothing (even armor) and wrapping • Wood Block Printing – 7th c. We’ll study in project • Advantage – 40,000 Chinese characters – easier to carve only once. • Used for canonical Buddhist texts, later Confucius writing Diamond Sutra, earliest printed text - 868 Li Bai (Li Bo) – 8th c. Daoist Poet Amongst the flowers is a pot of wine; I pour alone but with no friend at hand; So I lift the cup to invite the shining moon; Along with my shadow, a fellowship of three. The moon understands not the art of drinking; The shadow gingerly follows my movements; Still I make the moon and the shadow my company; To enjoy the springtime before too late. The moon lingers while I am singing; The shadow scatters while I am dancing; We share the cheers of delight when sober; We separate our ways after getting drunk; Forever will we keep this unfettered friendship; Til we meet again far in the Milky Way. Other writings of period – Romance of the Three Kingdoms – Epic that includes court intrigues, peasant life and battles