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Sui, Tang and Song Sui • • • • Reunification of China Shortlived - 585-618 Built the Grand Canal to connect society Reinstated the Confucian examination system – Confucianism had lost sway with the people following the fall of the Han – In the place of Confucianism, Buddhism was established • Buddhism played a religious, economic and political role in China Tang Tang 618-907 • Early Relationship with Buddhism – Mahayana Buddhism: bodhisattvas postponed nirvana in order to help others achieve enlightenment – Kings as bodhisattvas (Empress Wu) – The role of monasteries • Chang’an, the capital of the Tang had over 1 million people and became the center of Communication – Cosmopolitan city – e.g. Islamic and Jewish merchants made their way to the city • Tribute system – emissaries with new ideas • Huge growth in Trade: lost monopoly on silk, began to produce its own cotton, tea etc Tang • Late (840s) relationship with Buddhism – Destruction of monasteries – Priests, workers and slaves become lay people = taxpayers – Land confiscated • Fall of the Tang – Internal disorder – Buddhist uprisings – Regional governors broke away from the Tang and the dynasty ended Power Struggles in Inner Asia and China • Tibet – Mahayana Buddhism – Powerful military– eventually finds itself allied against the Tang – To keep up with Tang power, the leader follows the Tang example of eradicating Buddhism • Rebellion: the emperor is overthrown and monks take over – Monastic rule Song 907-1127 and Southern 1127-1279 Song Industries • Technological Innovations – Much borrowed from cosmopolitan Tang – Mathematics, astronomy, calendar making – Su Song’s mechanical clock • Time, day, month and lunar cycle as well as movements of some stars and planets – Improved compass (made it suitable for seafaring) – Ship design improvements • Song Army: standing army – Iron and coal steel for weapons, armor and defensive works – gunpowder Song Economy and Society • Examination system… a means to indoctrinate! • Moveable type mass production of preparatory texts and agricultural technologies – Prep books indoctrinated exam takers – Increased agricultural output…How? – Led to population growth 100 million • Credit system: “flying money” • Paper money (caused inflation…) • Women’s status declined – Lost rights – Bound feet became mandatory a means to limit the freedom of women Most populous cities 1000 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cordova, Spain 450,000 Kaifeng, China 400,000 Constantinople, Turkey 300,000 Angkor, Cambodia 200,000 Kyoto, Japan 175,000 Cairo, Egypt 135,000 Baghdad, Iraq 125,000 Nishapur, Iran 125,000 Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia 110,000 Patan (Anhilwara), India 100,000