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Nov 18, 650
Military Expansion
Tang forces conquered Manchuria, northern part of Vietnam, and forced the Silla kingdom (Korea) to acknowledge the emperor as the overlord. Territorially, it was one of the largest Chinese empires. However, they had so much territory to control that it may had been a cause to the start of thier decline for not being able to fully control their land. -
Nov 19, 755
An Lushan
Military commander who mounted a rebellion and captured the capital (Chang'an) as well as the second capital (Luoyang).The empire greatly weakened, and Tang commmanders had to invite nomadic Turkish people (the Uighurs). However, after Uighurs aided the Tangs in reconwuering their their territory, they demanded the right to sack Chang'an and Luoyang. -
Nov 18, 1000
New Agricultural Techniques
Cultivators increased their productivity by using heavy iron plows as well as the harnessing of oxen and water buffaloes, Enriched the soil with manure and composted organic matter. Large irrigation systems facilitated the abundancy of water in the fields; reservoirs, dikes, dams, canals, pumps, and water wheels. -
Nov 18, 1050
Refinements of the use of Gunpowder
They used gunpowder in bamboo "fire lances" which served as a kind of flamethrower. They also had explosive grenades, firearms, cannons, and land mines. The knowledge of gunpowder then spread through Eurasia. By this time, war was much more intense, and victory would depend mostly on your empire's wealth. -
Nov 18, 1100
Naval Technology
Ships were made using iron nails. They navigated with the "south-pointing needle", the magnetic compass. On large ships, small rockets powered by gunpowder were present. -
Nov 18, 1200
Song Weaknesses
Their approach to administration created a more centralizesd state, which led to several problems. Financial problem: bureaucracy devoured China's surplus production. Rasing taxes enfuriated the peasants who conducted rebellions. The military education was poor. -
Nov 18, 1279
Song Dynasty Decline
The Khitan, seminomadic people from Manchuria ruled a vast emprie north of China, and Song rulers gave them tribunes to avoid conflicts. However, the nomadic Jurchen conquered northern China establishing the Jin Empire. The song Dynasty had to flee south. Afterwards, Mongol forces ended the dynasty and incorporated southern China into their empire. -
Emperor Gauzu
He was the first Tang emperor. In 624 A.D, the T’ang Code was compiled. It presented a way to confront crimes. -
Equal-field system
The equal-field system ensured the equal distribution of land in order to avoid rebellions from lower classes as it had happened in the Han Dynasty. It came in to existence way before the Tang Dynasty. -
Tang Taizong
He was a Confucious scholar who gained power unethically. He ended banditry; maintained crop prices and taxes low, but put emphasis on forced labor. -
Huang Chao
Military commander who mounted a revolt in much of eastern China. The cause of this rebellion was the gap of privilages between the wealthy and poor. To control the rebellions, regional military commanders were granted more power, which in effect caused them to become rulers of China. -
Tang Decline
The equal-field system deteriorated and taxes increased. This led to many rebellions including the An Lushan, Huang Chao, Wang Xianzhi, and the An Shi rebellion. -
Song Taizu
He was the first Song emperor. He began as a military officer in northern China. Had a reputation of being honest and effective (got the job done). As in the Tang Dynasty, his rule was based on a bureaucracy of merit, Confucian education, and civil service examinations. -
Period: to
T'ang Dynasty
Transportation/Communications: Done by horse riders and human runners on the built roads. Inns, postal stations, and stables providedrest and refreashment for travelers. Bureaucracy of Merit: jobs acquired by skill, not by bloodline; based on a Confucian educational system. -
Period: to Nov 18, 1279
Song Dynasty
The Song rulers did not build a powerful state because the rulers mistrusted military leaders. Instead they emphasized on civil administration, industry, education, and the arts.
