Chinese trade routes edited

The Southernization of China

By jcook246
  • Period: 300 BCE to 200 BCE

    The First Compass

    Otherwise known as the "south-pointing needle," the first version of the compass was invented by the Chinese in the third century B.C. The compass was perfected in the Song dynasty and used to find a direct path to spice markets in Java, then eventually to the Spice Islands in the Moluccas.
  • Period: 200 to 1300

    Southernization in China

    This time period covers the events involved with Southernization in China.
  • 221

    Buddhist Monasteries

    Buddhist Monasteries
    In 221, the Han dynasty crumbled, resulting in over 350 years of several dynasties ruling over China. Simultaneously, Buddhism became progressively vital, and Buddhist monasteries populated throughout China. This linked cultural exchange between India and China.
  • Period: 581 to 618

    Sui Dynasty

    In 581, the Sui dynasty reunited China. During this time period, Southern China transformed into the more prosperous area of China. The largest piece of evidence is the Grand Canal.
  • 610

    The Grand Canal

    The Grand Canal
    Constructed in 610 CE, during the Sui dynasty, this canal's purpose was to transport southern rice to northern cities. The capital was located in Northern China at the time.
  • Period: 618 to 906

    Tang Dynasty

    The influence of Southernization continued during the Tang dynasty. Changes in processes included a reformation of mathematics, cultivation & trade of crops, and development of technology.
  • 644

    Saltpeter Soil

    Saltpeter Soil
    An Indian monk recognized soils in China containing saltpeter and showed that purple flames arose when the soil was ignited. Saltpeter became to be an ingredient in gunpowder.
  • 690

    Adding in the Math

    Adding in the Math
    In 690 CE, the Chinese added the advantages of the Indian numeral system into their own without, however, adopting the numerals until later.
  • 700

    The Art of Printing

    The Art of Printing
    Printing was the first of two technological advances in the Tang, and was built in Buddhist monasteries. Subtropical Sichuan was one of the initial centers of the art.
  • 919

    The Invention of Gunpowder

    The Invention of Gunpowder
    The creation of gunpowder is connected to the discovery of saltpeter soil, for it is a component of gunpowder. In 919 CE, gunpowder was used to light flamethrowers. In addition, there were ideas of utilizing flaming arrows, rockets, and catapulted bombs.
  • Period: 960 to 1279

    Song Dynasty

    The Song Dynasty was the second dynasty in which Southernization continued to affect China through reforming ideas and creating ideas. The change involved in the Song is the cultivation of crops.
  • 997

    Champa Rice

    Champa Rice
    Champa rice received its name because it was delivered to China from a city called Champa. It was a crop that resisted droughts and ripened early, which allowed cultivation to be extended up well-watered hillsides, doubling the area of rice cultivation in China. Because of this, the entire Chinese population doubled.