Agriculture and trade
- increased international trade contacts, and a revolution in agricultural productivity
- overseas trade through investments in trading vessels which undertook trade at ports
- the government encouraged people to reclaim barren lands and put them under cultivation. Anyone who opened up new lands and paid taxes were granted permanent possession of the new land
- invented a type of plow to cultivate the lands. Used and invented irrigation systems made from bamboo.
- cotton was a very economic crop
- Cotton flowers were collected, pits removed, beaten loose with bamboo bows, and drawn into yarns and weaved into cloth called “jibei”
- trading was a part of the economy and every "social" class was involved in trade some way whether it be by trading agricultural supplies or other important things for the overall dynasty.
- since the collapse of the Sui Dynasty (581-618) productivity had been severely damaged and the national economy was in paralysis. After the Tang Dynasty reunified the whole nation, Emperor Kao Tsu paid much attention to develop agriculture and successively implemented a series of reforms, such as Juntai Zhi and Zuyongdiao system.
- in this way the peasants burden was lessened and production efficiency was improved.
- as a result farm told and agricultural techniques were improved.
- the economy was very great in power.
Accomplishments of the Song Dynasty
- Lasted from 960-1279 A.D.
- Considered a second golden age, following the Tang Dynasty which collapsed 50 years earlier.
- Followed by the Yuang Dynasty
- Consisted of Northern Song (960-1127) and Southern Song (1127-1279)
- The Northern Song was destroyed by the Jin in 1127 after a bit of political corruption and a decline in the regime.
- The Southern song was set up by Zhao Gou, son of the last emperor of The Northern Song.
- in 1279 the army of the yuan dynasty captured the capital of the southern song which pretty much ended the southern song.
- civil service exams were revived schools spread and literary grew
- they boosted welfare by first helping house and care for the elderly
- made state hospitals, state orphanages, developed fire stations and libraries.
- What they did for large cities: 1. Made state hospitals 2. Got low interest loans for peasants 3. Make state orphanages. 4. Had free pharmacies for the poor.
- Zhao Kuangyin
- military general who founded the Northern song
- in 13 years he was able to unite the separatist regimes in the southern part of china. Studied martial arts from a young age.
- Launched a mutiny in Chenquio where he ascended the throne and fully established the dynasty.
Advancements
- agricultural productivity and out put of food advanced with new technologies
- division of labor became more detailed with handcrafts technologies
- the basic form of paper currency appeared during their time period also called Jiao Zi
- silk textiles and porcelain- making industries strived.
- Agriculture
- advances were made in the mining and manufacturing of ceramics
- This caused China from Agrarian to a mercantile state
- China renaissance
- the industry improves with new bridges better canal lock gates and water powered clocks
- methods of acupuncture and autopsies and physicians code of ethics were codified
- Arts even saw an advancement in Lyrical song and portrait and landscape paintings.
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