Tang and Song China: Two Golden Ages

Introduction

• Focus on Tang and Song dynasties during China's classical era.
• Recognized as golden ages due to innovation and wealth.

Sui Dynasty

• Preceded Tang Dynasty.
• Reunified China after a period of disintegration.
• Emperor Wen (581-618 CE):
  • Micromanaged governance, authoritarian style.
  • Promoted Buddhism.
  • Began construction of the Grand Canal, vital for trade and unification.
• Downfall due to forced labor, high taxes, and constant warfare leading to revolts.

Tang Dynasty

• Emerged after the fall of the Sui, founded by the Li family.
• General Li Yuan became emperor, succeeded by his son, Li Ximing (Tang Taizong):
  • Promoted trade, began another golden age.
  • Expanded empire, allied with the Silla kingdom in Korea.
  • Fought and won the Goguryeo–Tang War with help from Silla.

Empress Wu Zetian

• Only female to assume title of Emperor in Chinese history.
• Ruled during the Tang interregnum.
• Expanded and strengthened the empire.

Civil Service Bureaucracy

• Civil service exam system to select government officials based on merit.
• Open only to wealthy men, despite being intended as democratic.
• Revived during Tang, but became dominant during Song.

Decline of the Tang

• Faced rebellions like An Lushan and Huang Chao.
• Warlord overthrow in 907 led to Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

Song Dynasty

• Founded in 960, reunified China.
• Faced threats from Mongols, spent heavily on defense.

Innovations

• First use of paper money (jiaozi).
• Establishment of a standing navy using Junk ships.
• Invention and military use of gunpowder.
• Accurate compass for navigation.

Science & Culture

• Golden age for science, art, and literature.
• Polymaths like Su Song and Shen Kuo contributed to advancements.
• Popularization of poetry, silk paintings.

Decline and Fall

• Internal conflicts and the Jin-Song Wars weakened the dynasty.
• Mongol invasion led by Kublai Khan ended the Song Dynasty in 1279, founding the Yuan Dynasty.

Conclusion

• Tang and Song dynasties marked by cultural richness, technological advancements, and political developments.
• Transformation led to new eras and laid foundations for future Chinese history.