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Nov 17, 604
Emperor Yangdi
Yangdi's was a son of Wendi. He ascended the throne by murdering his father. He drove back nomadic invaders from the nothern frontier. He used milder laws and upgraded Confucian education, restroring the exam system. He favoured extravagant construction projects so he recruited his peasants to do alot of labour. Yangdi tried to take Korea back but failed. Therew were a lot of unrests and independent rulers. Yangdi's biography -
Nov 17, 607
Grand Canal
The Grand Canal was built by Yangdi, who risked his throne by forcing thousands peasants to sacrifice their lives building it. The canal linked north China with the Yangzi River basin, reducing the travelling time between the millet-producing north and the rice-producing south. Though it was meant to be used as a bureaucracy-controlling measure, it also promoted trade and tax collection. Grand Canal Nowadays -
Nov 17, 700
Chen/Zen Buddhism
Members of the elite classes and the educated prefered Zen to other branch of Buddhism. It emphasized meditation and appreciation of the beauty of nature. It promoted enlightenment, which, through meditation, would realease the human soul from the cycle of reincarnation and therefore suffering. Zen in China -
Nov 17, 700
Pure land Buddhism
Pure land buddhism was very popular during the Tang dynasty because it offered refuge from war and a relatively easier way to enlightenment than sole meditation. It required its believers to chant 'Amitabha Buddha' with total concentration. This was believed to send the chanters to 'pure land', where enlightenment would be easier to attend. It also Article on pure land buddhism -
Nov 17, 701
Li Bo
Poets during the Tang dynasty celebrated the beauty of nature. Li Bo (aloso known as Lee Bai) was one of them. His poems were exceptionally famous for how he beautifully described nature. Learn More about Lee Bai -
Nov 17, 712
Yang Guifei
Yang Guifei was one of the concubines in the Harem of Xuanzong. Being his favourite, Yang was appointed to be the royal concubine. Now powerful, Yang brought her relatives into most of the governing position. This angered a lot of officials. Along with Xuanzong's neglect for his country, China went under an economic distress and militay weakness. She was excuted by a revolt led by An Lushan. More on Yang Guifei -
Nov 17, 713
Emperor Xuanzong
Xuanzong, as a prince, overthrew a young boy -- Empress Wei's son-- whom he found unfit for seizing the throne. He put talented officials in high positions, taking the empire to its peak politically and economically. Later, he shifted his focus to arts music, and pleasure in his palace. After the death of his wife, he found Yang Guifei. Learn more about Xuanzong -
Nov 17, 736
Ministry of Rites
Ministry of Rites belonged to the Six ministries established during the Tang dynasty. It oversaw and administerd examinations, which tested whether young men would be able to work in the civil service. Article on Ministry of Rites -
Nov 17, 736
Jinshi
The title of jinshi included those who were able to pass the exams on philosophy and law at the metropolitan level. Their names would be announced throughout the kingdom. Jinshi were extremely revered even by their own family, changing their lives in an instant. The system ensured that the Chinese government was made of intelligen and talented people. More about Jinshi -
Nov 17, 1038
Tangut people/ Kingdom of Xi Xia
The Tangut people, originally from Tibet, established their kingdom of Xi Xia in the northern part of the Song domains. Being less powerful than ever, the Song had to pay tribute to nomadic tribes like the Tangut in exchange for protection, burdening the peasants.Learn more about the Tangut people -
Nov 17, 1100
Chinses Junks
The junks were invented in the 12th century and were considered to be the best ships in the world during that era. A junk had watertight bulkheads, stern post rudders, oars, sails, compasses, bsmboo powder and gunpowder-propelled rockets. This innovation made China the dominant power, politically as well as economically, in the Asian east sea.More on Chinese Junks -
Nov 17, 1130
Zhu Xi/ Neo-Confucianism
Zhu Xi was a thinker during the Song dynasty. He emphasized how poeple should apply philosophical principles to their daily life. This idea was Neo-Confucianism, believing that the goal of life was to improve one's morality. It promoted readingn and interaction with wise and moral men. This idea greatly influnced Chinese imperialism. Neo-Confucian rulers closed themselves from foreign influnces. Article on Neo-Confucianism -
Emperor Li Yuan/ Gaozu of Tang
Li Yuan was Yangdi's officials. As Yangdi grew deranged, Li Yuan was convinced that the only way he could save the kingdom was to asasinate the emperor. After Yangdi's death, Li Yuan claimed the throne and establish a new dynasty of TangLearn more about Li Yuan -
Empress Wu
Wu Zetian was the only female emperor during the Tang dynasty. Tang dynasty was a free time for women to show their exceptional talents. Through conspiracy and beauty as a concubine, she rose to the throne of China. Empress Wu strongly supported Buddhism to the point of making it a national religion. She built several gigantic statues of Buddha and pagodas. Artical on Wu Zetian -
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Silla, Korea
After several failed attempts by Yangdi, the kingdom of Silla was finally taken back by emperor Gaozu. This makes Silla a vassal kingdom that remained loyal to China for several years to come. Article on Silla -
Emperor Wendi/ Yang Jian
Yangjian was a member of a prominent north Chinese noble family. He forged allies with the Zhou to marriage of hos daughter. He seized the throne of his son-in-law and declared himself to be an emperor. Having won the support from China's neighbouring nomadic military commanders, he also lowered taxes and built granaries in case of floods pr droughts, stabilizing food price. Learn more aboutWendi -
Period: to Nov 17, 1297
Tang and Song Dynasties
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Period: to
The Capital City of Luoyang
Yangdi established a new capital city in Luoyang, recuiting many peasants to build palaces, canals and game park. Yangdi forced labourers to transport trees for miles to the destination wanted. This made him very unpopular. More on Luoyang -
Period: to
The Capital City of Chang'an
Chang'an was capital city throughout the Tang dynasty. The bureaucracy as well as the imperial household activities were carried out in palaces in Chang'an. History of Chang'an -
Period: to Nov 17, 1279
Footbinding
During the Song Dynasty, upperclass men prefered small-footed women. According to the demand, mothers began binding their daughter's feet at a young age in order to make them 'lotus petals'. After marriage, the bounded feet still were a challenge in a woman's everyday life. Her mobility was limited, leaving her housebound and unable to do anything else but household chores. Real Life: a women suffered from footbinding
