Overview
This lecture covers the resurgence of empire in East Asia, focusing on China’s Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, their political, economic, and cultural developments, and their influence on neighboring Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.
The Sui Dynasty
- The Sui dynasty (589–618 CE) reunited China after centuries of fragmentation.
- Emperor Yang Jian established tight political discipline and centralized bureaucracy.
- Major public works included the Grand Canal, connecting north and south China and fostering unity.
- Increased taxes funded large military and infrastructure but led to discontent and the emperor’s assassination.
The Tang Dynasty
- Founded by Tang Taizong, who strengthened central authority and built an effective bureaucracy.
- Continued expansion and maintained the tributary system with neighboring states.
- Instituted the equal-field system for more equal land distribution and civil service exams based on Confucian education.
- Suffered internal rebellions (e.g., An Lushan’s revolt) and invited nomadic Turks, causing instability.
- The dynasty’s decline led to decentralization and military-controlled regions.
The Song Dynasty
- Song Taizu centralized power and greatly expanded the bureaucracy with civil service based on merit.
- Strong focus on administration and culture, less on military strength.
- The bureaucracy reached down to the village level, with little local autonomy.
- Experienced a Golden Age in technology (printing, gunpowder, shipbuilding), urbanization, and arts.
- Patriarchal society intensified; foot-binding became common among women.
Economic Developments
- Introduction of fast-ripening rice led to population growth and surplus food.
- A shift from barter to currency economy; paper money first issued during Song.
- Growth of a market economy, artisan and merchant classes, and vibrant international trade.
Religion and Philosophy
- Mahayana Buddhism flourished, aided by government patronage and appealing to the masses.
- Confucianism was revived, especially as Neo-Confucianism (Zhu Xi) and shaped government and society.
- Buddhism competed with Daoism and Confucianism, offering metaphysical inquiry and practical salvation.
- Empress Wu Zetian was a notable female ruler who supported Buddhism and opened administrative roles to commoners.
Influence on Korea, Vietnam, and Japan
- Korea became a tributary state but retained independence, strong aristocracy, and its own monarchy.
- Vietnam absorbed Chinese culture and administration but resisted full assimilation and allowed greater female participation.
- Japan adopted many Chinese institutions during the Nara period, then developed its own culture; samurai class and feudalism emerged, with emperors as figureheads.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Grand Canal — A massive man-made waterway linking northern and southern China.
- Equal-field system — Land distribution policy to prevent concentration of land ownership.
- Civil service exam — Tests based on Confucian texts for government positions.
- Mandarins — Elite scholar-officials who administered the Chinese bureaucracy.
- Tributary system — Relationships in which neighboring states paid tribute to China in exchange for autonomy.
- Mahayana Buddhism — A branch of Buddhism popular for its accessible path to salvation.
- Foot-binding — Painful tradition of binding women’s feet, symbolizing female subordination.
- Neo-Confucianism — Revival and reinterpretation of Confucianism during the Song dynasty.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the roles and impacts of the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties.
- Read textbook sections on Chinese influence in Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.
- Prepare for discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of centralized bureaucracy and merit-based civil service.