Sui and Tang Dynasties

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• Note: The text refers to CE dates unless otherwise stated.

Context Before the Sui Dynasty

• The Han dynasty fell in 220.
• Ancient China's ruling dynasties: Shang, Zhou, Warring States, Qin, and Han.
• More than 350 years passed before the Chinese provinces were reunified under a strong central government.

Sui Dynasty (581-618)

• The Sui dynasty replaced the Han dynasty, beginning in 581
• The dynasty lasted only 30 years.
• Wendi was the first emperor.
• The Sui Dynasty united Northern and Southern China.
• Wendi built the Grand Canal, connecting the Yellow River (Huang He) and Yangtze River.
• The Grand Canal facilitated trade, travel, and communication.
• The Grand Canal was the world's longest canal.

Tang Dynasty (618-906)

• The Tang dynasty lasted 300 years.
• Empress Wu Zhao was the first and only woman to ever rule China.
• Roads and canals were expanded to increase trade and expand the empire.
• Civil service exams ensured the most qualified people worked for the government.
• Schools were established.
• Tang rulers lost control due to invaders and rebellions.
• The Song dynasty replaced the Tang dynasty.

Song Dynasty (960-1279)

• The Song dynasty lasted approximately 300 years.
• The Song Dynasty was smaller but stronger than the Tang Dynasty.
• Advancements included gunpowder for weapons and the compass for sea trade and travel.
• New farming techniques made growing rice more efficient.
• Porcelain was used for various items like china, dolls, and toilets.
• Moveable type using wood or metal blocks, and paper money were invented
• There was a loss of control over the Silk Road, leading to reliance on sea routes.
• Trade occurred with Korea, Japan, India, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Buddhism spread from China to Korea and Japan.
• Old aristocratic families lost power.
• A new powerful class, "Scholar-Gentry," emerged.
• The status of women declined during the Tang and Song Dynasties with the introduction of foot binding.
• Foot binding involved forcing women's feet into tiny shoes.
• The ideal foot size was 3-4 inches.
• "Perfect" foot was called the "Lotus".

The Mongols (1162-1227)

• They were nomadic tribesmen who herded animals.
• They lived in clans (extended families).
• They rode on horseback.
• They lived in yurts, which were portable felt tents.
• The Mongols united in a loose federation.
• Temujin, later known as Genghis Khan, united the Mongols.
• Genghis Khan is a title, not a personal name.
• The Mongol Empire was the largest land empire in history.
• Mongols fought in tribal groups and were loyal to their chief.
• Temujin created an elite group of 10,000 warriors from all tribes loyal to him.
• Mongols fought from horseback and were fast-moving.
• They showed no mercy to opponents but welcomed those who joined.
• Military reforms reorganized the Mongol military.
• Chinese siege technology, including gunpowder, was adopted.
• Positions were based on merit.
• Many artisans and merchants were forcibly relocated to central Asia as part of economic and social reforms.
• A written Mongol language was created.
• Religious toleration was practiced, leading to the spread of Buddhism, Islam, and Taoism.
• A mail system was created.
• Asia was unified.
• The Pax Mongolica was a period of about 100 years of peace after the Mongol conquest.
• Travel became safer.
• Silk Road trade increased.
• Mongols introduced a passport system.
• Harsh punishments were implemented for criminals.
• They unified parts of China, India, Central Asia, and the Muslim Middle East.
• This led to Russian cultural diffusion.
• After Genghis Khan's death, his empire was divided among his successors into four Khanates.

Legacies

• Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan's grandson, established the Yuan dynasty in China.
• Kublai Khan welcomed Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer.
• Gunpowder and cannons were invented in China and used by the Mongols.
• The Mongols used biological warfare to spread disease to enemies, causing the Black Death (Plague).

The Yuan Dynasty

• In 1279, Genghis Khan's grandson, Kublai Khan, completed the conquest of the Song Dynasty.
• Kublai Khan set up the Yuan Dynasty and ruled all of China until his death in 1294.
• During his leadership, the Mongols tried to expand into Vietnam and Japan but failed.
• They controlled Vietnam for a short period of time.
• The Mongols could not reach Japan due to the islands' massive storms.
• Success in ruling China was due to adaptation to the political system, which gained support from many Chinese people.
• In 1368, the Yuan Dynasty fell due to excessive spending on foreign conquests, political corruption, and internal instability. The Ming Dynasty followed.