China: Tang & Song Dynasties - Dolgeville Central · PDF fileCalligrapy Porcelain

China: Tang & SongDynasties

EQ: How do contributions from these dynasties impact us today?

Tang Dynasty: 618-907CE

United ChinaBuilt a vast empire

The capital was at XianVietnam, Korea, & Tibet become tributary states

A tributary state is independent, but China is the supreme power and these states must pay a tribute ($$$) to China

Tang Government

Guided by Confucian idealsEmphasis on social order ensures stability

duty, rank, proper behavior

Skilled governmentRevive the civil service exam system (begun by the Han Dynasty)Difficult exams stressed Confucian thoughtHighly educated ruling class

Song Dynasty: 960-1279CE

Golden AgeLandscape paintingCalligraphyliterature

Conquered by Mongols in 1279Invaders from the north

Tang & Song Social Structure

Social pyramid:Gentry

Rich landownersSome are civil servants

PeasantsMajority of populationfarmers

MerchantsSome are richLow in status because their $$ comes from the work of others

Status of womenMany have authorityManage family finances and run householdBoys still have higher value than girlsOnce married, girls became part of their husband’s family

Could never remarry

Tang & Song Contributions

EconomicLand reform: redistributes land to peasantsLandowners have less power & peasants pay taxesCanalsTrade expands (India, Persia, MidEast)Paper $$$

Art & LitPoetry (Li Bo) & short storyBlock printingLandscapingCalligrapyPorcelainArchitecture

Pagoda = temple w/ roof that curves up at the corners

Tang & Song Contributions

So what?

What is used today from the Tang & Song period?Chinese culture will influence Japan’s developmentMore evidence proving the dynastic cycle

CHINESE CONTRIBUTIONS

Find (identify) 2 contributions from the 3 periods of Chinese history that we have talked about so far…

1. Shang & Zhou2. Qin & Han3. Tang & Song