Song Dynasty: Rise & Rule

• The Song Dynasty (960-1279) was a prosperous and advanced period in Chinese and world history.
• It was founded by Zhou Kuangyin, later known as Emperor Taizu.
• Dynasties in Chinese history are named after the ruling family.

Song Dynasty Time Period

• The Song Dynasty emerged after a 47-year period of chaos following the Tang Dynasty's collapse in 907.
• This period was known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, with powers vying for control.
• Zhou Kuangyin, a general from the Later Zhou family, rebelled and became Emperor Taizu.
• Emperor Taizu conquered most of southern China, thereby establishing the Song Dynasty.

Rise of the Song Dynasty

• From 960 to 1127, the Song Dynasty ruled northern, eastern, and southern China.
• This period is known as the Northern Song Dynasty.
• The Song Dynasty defended its borders against northern kingdoms, particularly the Jurchen Jin.
• By 1127, the Jurchen Jin captured the Song capital, Kaifeng, and Emperors Huizong and Qinzong.
• Song forces withdrew south of the Yangtze River, establishing the Southern Song Dynasty at Lin'an under Emperor Gaozong.
• The Southern Song retained most of the Northern Song's population.
• Trade became the focus of the Southern Song, leading to the development of a large maritime navy.
• Southern Song traders maintained sea trade routes with India and the Arabian Peninsula.
• Emperor Gaozong recreated an efficient civil service, leading to the growth of large cities.
• Hangzhou, Quanzhou, and Jiankang became centers for arts and culture.
• Social clubs for the urban elite were common, with pastimes like poetry and tea-drinking.

Fall of the Song Dynasty

• The Mongol Empire emerged in Central Asia in 1211, defeating the Jurchen Jin.
• In 1250, the Mongols invaded the Southern Song Dynasty.
• By 1279, the Mongols defeated the last Southern Song naval fleet at Guangzhou.
• The Mongol Empire established the Yuan Dynasty.

Song Dynasty Achievements

• The Song Dynasty implemented institutional reforms that created government stability and economic prosperity.
• There was encouragement for education in the sciences and arts.
• The Song era is regarded as a time of peace, prosperity, and progress.

Political Aspects

• The Song Dynasty brought a time of calm and prosperity.
• Emperor Taizu ordered measures from the capital of Kaifeng that changed the way China was governed.
• The Imperial Civil Service Examination allowed individuals to take an exam to fill government positions.
• A new class of civil servants emerged, extending the Song Dynasty's rule.
• This lasted until 1905.

Song Dynasty Emperors

• Emperor Taizu (927 -976): Zhou Kuangyin, founder of the Song Dynasty
• Emperor Huizong (1082-1135): Zhao Ji, second last ruler of the Northern Song, artist and calligrapher
• Emperor Qinzong (1100 to 1161): Zhao Huan, last Emperor of the Northern Song
• Emperor Gaozong (1107-1187): Zhao Gou, founder of the Southern Song

Military

• Emperor Taizu took direct control of the military due to his rise through a military coup.
• The best Imperial Army divisions were placed under his command.
• Civilian administrators oversaw large sections of the military.
• Song military engineers invented the pontoon bridge.

Culture

• Specialized academies in arts and sciences were created.
• The Song Dynasty saw a remarkable efflorescence in arts and culture.
• Neo-Confucianism became popular, expanding Confucianism to the government.
• The Four Books and Five Classics were compiled during the Song era.
• A new scholar-civil servant emerged, known as the literati, pursuing artistic activities.
• Calligraphy, poetry, and painting became known as the Three Perfections.

Economy

• The Chinese economy prospered during the Song Dynasty.
• Private businesses became profitable as a rising population created demand.
• Merchants set up companies and organized guilds.
• Goods were traded across the country and exported to West Asia and Europe.
• The Grand Canal became an important transport hub.
• The population of China doubled.
• Rice cultivation spread across southern China.
• Paper money was introduced.
• Iron and steel production increased.
• Coal was extensively mined and used.
• Silk and ceramics production expanded.

Legal System

• There was an emphasis on morality in public life.
• High legal officials were expected to embody Confucian virtues
• The Song retained most of the laws and legal codes of the Tang Dynasty.
• Nominated sheriffs traveled through towns and countryside, adjudicating disputes.
• Sheriffs encouraged litigants to settle issues privately to make the courts more efficient

Inventions

• The Song Dynasty was a period of scientific innovation and invention.
• Moveable type was invented in the 11th century.
• Shipbuilding was revolutionized with watertight bulkheads and stern-mounted rudders.
• Sailing was revolutionized with the fixed-stem compass.
• Gunpowder was invented, leading to rockets, cannons, and bombs.
• Shen Gua contributed to mathematics and medicine.

Song Dynasty Facts

• Rice became a staple diet.
• Female foot-binding emerged among the Song elite.

Explore the prosperous Song Dynasty (960-1279), founded by Emperor Taizu (Zhou Kuangyin) after a period of chaos. Discover its rise, the Northern Song Dynasty era, and conflicts with the Jurchen Jin kingdom. The Jurchen Jin eventually captured the Song capital, Kaifeng.