Resurgence of Empire in East Asia Flashcards
What was going on 220 - 579?
After the Han dynasty collapsed, there was: -No unified government -Social unrest -No economy DECENTRALIZED
What was happening from 589 - 618
The Sui dynasty!
Achievements for the Sui Dynasty
- Reunited China under one government
- Built the Grand Canal which increased trade and connected N + S China for increase trade of rice & crops
- Expanded into Korea and Vietnam
Declines of Sui Dynasty
-In order to make the grand canal, they needed to tax people high, which caused social unrest and hostility toward emperor
- Followed the Legalism Doctrine
- Rebellions, Riots
- Figurehead, lazy leader
Sui Dynasty and religion
- Rebirth of Confucianism because it failed last time (Han), but people liked it so they blended with Buddhism to make Neo-Confucianism
- People didn’t like Buddhism by itself because it challenged old traditions like family
When was the Tang Dynasty?
618 - 907
Was the Tang dynasty a good time?
Yes! It was a golden age
What made the Tang Dynasty a golden age?
- Price of rice was low
- Low taxes
- Well articulated transportation (runners, inns, postal)
- Equal Field System
- 2 harvests per year
- Population growth
- Bureaucracy based on merit (worthiness, Civil Service Exams)
How was increased population bad for the Tang Dynasty?
The increased population made it hard to distribute land
What was one of the Tang’s goal for their Dynasty?
To distribute land well so that their dynasty lives longer
Innovations of Tang
- Gunpowder
- Paper $$$
- Printing using a block
- Compass
Declines of Tang
- Careless leaders who neglected responsibilities to start a rebellion, but was killed
- Outside invaders (Uighurs)
- Series of rebellion
- MILITARY TOO MUCH POWER AND TOOK OVER
What was the Equal Field System?
Gave land to individuals and families based on their needs, which they would return, but they got to keep 1/5 of it
When was the Song Dynasty?
960 - 1279
Did the Song Dynasty trust their military leaders?
No! After the military had too much power in the Tang dynasty, they bribed the generals to retire to prevent any emperors overthrow
What did the Song dynasty like more than military leaders?
Civil Administration (BUREAUCRATS!)
Why was only having a lot of bureaucrats going to lead to problems for the Song dynasty?
They have to pay all of them a lot!
Who was Song Taizu?
-Persuaded generals to retire early to prevent overthrow
What did the Song dynasty do to make the people 100% LOYAL?
They gave high rewards to people for complete loyalty
LED TO ECONOMIC STRAIN
Financial Weaknesses of Song Dynasty
- # of bureaucrats + reward = strain
- because they pay bureaucrats so much they also raised taxes on people
- Led to Social Unrest
Military Weaknesses of Song Dynasty
- Little training for military officials
- Made the vulnerable to outside attacks
- CUE THE MONGOLS!
Who made the Sui Dynasty Legalist?
Yang Juan
Who was the emperor that completed the work on the grand canal?
Siu Yugand
Was the Sui dynasty strict?
Yes! They were Legalists! High demands on strong centralized government, raised taxes
How was Buddhism appealing to the Sui dynasty?
- Made it’s way through merchants
- Life after death, HOPE
- ALL can reach enlightenment
