Economic Growth and Technological Advances in China

Study Notes

Economic Growth

The Han dynasty's fall hindered Chinese economic development, but recovery occurred under the Tang dynasty.
Tang dynasty advancements in farming included improved irrigation techniques and increased land grants to farmers.
The Song dynasty adopted Champa rice from Vietnam, a highly productive variety suitable for poor soil and disease-resistant.
Improved farming methods (e.g., iron plows, water wheels) during the Tang and Song eras increased food production and fueled population growth.
Tang rulers' infrastructure projects (roads, waterways) facilitated trade along the Silk Road.
High demand for Chinese silk, tea, steel, paper, and porcelain in Western regions boosted trade.

Technological Advances

The shift from wood to coal as a fuel source spurred the coal mining industry.
Coal-heated furnaces produced iron, which combined with coal's carbon, created stronger steel.
Paper production spread throughout Asia, enabling book printing.
Early printing involved woodblock printing techniques, followed by Pi Sheng's invention of movable type printing.
Movable type printing involved individual, interchangeable characters.
The Song dynasty created paper currency, driven by printing innovations.
Gunpowder, invented during the Tang dynasty, found application in weaponry (fire lances).
Large ships with rudders and sails were developed, alongside the refinement of the magnetic compass during the Song dynasty.

Literature and the Arts

The Tang dynasty was a golden age for Chinese poetry.
Tang poetry often reflected Daoist appreciation for nature.
Li Bo wrote nature-inspired poetry, while Du Fu addressed social issues like poverty, injustice, and war.
Song dynasty landscape paintings emphasized empty spaces to portray the incompleteness of human understanding and the interconnectedness of humanity with nature.
Painters often incorporated calligraphy into their landscape paintings.
Tang dynasty artisans excelled in porcelain production.

Description

Explore the economic transformations in China from the Han to the Song dynasty, emphasizing agricultural advancements and trade expansion. This quiz also covers technological innovations like iron production and paper printing that spurred China's growth. Test your knowledge about the factors driving Chinese development during these historical periods.