Advances Under the Tang

Transcription

1 Advances Under the Tang Lesson 2 and Song MAIN IDEAS Government The Tang Dynasty built a powerful imperial state. This efficient government continued under the Song Dynasty. Economics Tang and Song China had a strong economy based on trade and farming. Science and Technology Under the Tang and Song, the Chinese developed technologies that influenced the world. Building the Imperial State ESSENTIAL QUESTION How was the Chinese government organized under the Tang and Song dynasties? Chinese Government Tang rulers developed imperial state to rule large country - imperial related to an empire Followed Sui models of government, military, tax system - used Sui capital of Chʼang-an as Tang capital Emperor top ruler, chief advisers served him, bureaucracy below them - bureaucracy government that is divided into departments A Law Code Tang created effective new law code, used from about 624 to late 1200s - listed all laws so same laws were used throughout China Scholar-Officials Difficult exam given to people who wanted to work in bureaucracy Those who passed exam became scholar-officials - scholar-official educated person with a government position - scholar-officials were usually wealthy, upper-class people World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times 1

2 The Song Dynasty Song ruled after Tang, from 960 to expanded, improved exam system - set up more schools More people took exams and got government jobs Most officials still came from rich, influential families What were the features of the Chinese government during the Tang and Song dynasties? World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times 2

3 Prosperity from Trade and Farming ESSENTIAL QUESTION On what was China s economy based during the Tang and Song periods? Changes in Travel and Trade Chinaʼs economy grew under Tang and Song - became wealthiest, most developed nation in world Built many roads, repaired waterways such as canals Better transportation improved trade and communication Technological developments also improved trade - gigantic ships, magnetic compass made sea travel faster, safer Changes in Agriculture Farmers began planting new Southeast Asian rice around A.D rice ripened faster, allowed more crops per year - better food supply allowed population growth to about 100 million Tang and Song drained, terraced, and irrigated Chang Jiang valley - produced extra rice, which was shipped to northern China - extra food let more people work in trade instead of farming Changes in Commerce Trade thrived under Song, especially with Korea, Japan Growth of trade led to increased use of money - coins too heavy, replaced with paper money - Tang, Song governments were first to use paper money More people became merchants - lived in growing towns, cities, some as large as 1 million people What brought about the change to a money economy during China s Tang and Song dynasties? World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times 3

4 A Time of Brilliant Achievements ESSENTIAL QUESTION What technological advances were made under the Tang and Song dynasties? A Golden Age for Poetry and Art Poetry, art flourished under Tang and Song - Tang poets included Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei - Tang artists made pottery figurines - black ink landscape paintings became important art form under Song Technological Progress Developed paper manufacturing - supported study, spread of ideas Wood-block printing used carved wooden blocks to print whole pages Created movable type small character blocks rearranged to spell words Made first printed books Historic Influence Chinese technology shaped history in China and West - paper-making spread to Arab world, then Europe - invented gunpowder for fireworks, later used for weapons - magnetic compass spread to Europe, allowed Age of Exploration Exported porcelain hard white ceramic also known as china Tea used as medicine, popular drink; brought to Europe by traders What were some key Chinese inventions or products that had a great influence on the world? World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times 4

5 Lesson Summary Imperial China was run by a bureaucracy filled with scholar-officials. Improvements in agriculture and transportation helped make China one of the most powerful countries in the world. Chinese inventions such as the compass, gunpowder, and paper shaped the history of other world regions. Why It Matters Now Chinese inventions, such as porcelain and paper money, are a part of everyday life in the 21st century. World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times 5