- Song dynasty began in 960 and ended in 1279
- Founders of the dynasty reunified China
- The empire ended in 1279 as a result of the invasion of the Mongol empire
- This began the Yuan Dynasty which was ruled by Mongols
- First government to use paper money
- First to use gunpowder
- Known for art and technology
- Art inspired the painters of todays Chinese paintings
- There was a border war with the Ly dynasty
- War was faught to a mutual draw
- Emperor Taizu- his army destroyed the southern states, slowly unifying the south
- Emperor Taizong- unified all of China for th sung, rebuilt China, restoring lands to agriculture production and setting the army to work rebuilding the countrys infrastructure
- Wang Anshi- prime minister, helped reform lower classes by giving them land and the upper class didnt like this, also first time gunpowder was used in wars
- Status of women declined
- Gain respect if gave birth to son
- Comapred to Tang, women were less active in political and less seen on streets
- Right to property were relatively secure in Song times
- Marked by political and legal reforms
- 4 social classes
- the shi "scholars"
- the nong "peasant farmers"
- Women were accorded with more respect and power in Tang
- Even allowed to take religious orders
- Encouraged to exert their influence in politics, arts, and managing property
- Given rights to defend themselves in court
- In Tang, attitude toward women was more liberal
- 8 different classes
6,379
Comments