The Song Dynasty

By tirrakaibrennan
  • 970

    Emperor Taizu founds the song dynasty

    After the collapse of Tang dynasty Northern Zhou rebels against his king and found the Song dynasty, called himself Emperor Taizu.
  • 1012

    A new variety of early-ripening rice leads to an economic evolution

    This drought-resistant rice ripens faster and can be grown in places where older varieties have failed.The production of rice in China is so good it contributes to population growth and an economic revolution
  • 1041

    Bi Sheng invents movable type

    Bi Sheng invents movable type using fragile baked clay. Movable type is ultimately more expensive than whole-block printing in China.
  • 1044

    Scientist record formulas for powerful gunpowder

    Scientists ZengGongliang and Yang Weide write a treatise in which they record formulas for making even more powerful blasting powder with nitrate.
  • 1078

    Iron production peaks

    Iron is used primarily by the army. Iron production reaches around 125,000 tons per year and a sixfold increase over the output in 800.
  • 1100

    China's population reaches 100 million

    Because of Song economic revolution china became the largest country in the world by reaching 100 million.
  • 1119

    First reports of a magnetic compass

    The Song refine the design of the magnetic compass to use a smaller needle which is attached to a fixed stem. It is key to Song ocean travel.
  • 1127

    The Southern Song period begins

    A war leads the Jurchen state to capture the Song emperor an establish its own Jin Empire in the north. Remaining members of the Song establish a new capital at Huangzhou.