Monday, Dec. 3

Today we started presentations.

Tang Dynasty-

  • Accomplishments-
  • China achieved the peak of civilization and became the center of trade.
  • The study of medicine- conducted a study on diabetes and discovered the source.
  • The study of complex chemicals- created gunpowder and air-conditioning.
  • The study of Law and Math- achievement in the field of education. Marked a huge contribution for economic growth and stability of building a strong foundation for China.
  • 618-907 A.D.

 

  • Key Players-
  • Li  Yuan- Known as Taiyun Gong- a chancellor of the Sui Dynasty who rose in rebellion.
  • Li Shimin- The 2nd son of Li Yuan- powerful ruler good at both military strategy and Chinese calligraphy.
  • Li Zhi- The 9th son of Li Shimin- considered a weak ruler because he was assisted by Empress Wu Zetian for most of his reign.

 

  • Before Tang Dynasty-
  • The Sui Dynasty ruled from the years 581-618.
  • It was the last dynasty before the Tang.
  • It fell because it went in to chaos due to tyranny of Emperor Yang.

 

  • Fall of the Tang Dynasty-
  • Difficult for people to make a living.
  • People began to rebel.
  • Huang Chao led an army of 100,000 soldiers.
  • Huang Chao declared himself emperor.
  • Rebellion lasted for a decade – 875-884 A.D.
  • Rebellion was defeated by the Tang- never really recovered.
  • Huang surrendered to Tang forces- caused a rapid military promotion.
  • After about 300 years in power, the dynasty ended.
  • Zhu Wen took the throne for himself and renamed the Tang Dynasty to the Liang Dynasty.

 

  • Where is the Tang Dynasty –
  • Imperial Dynasty of China.
  • Capital is at Chang’an China.

Science, Poetry, Technology, and Arts-

  • Science Tang-
  • Monk Yixing- the first to successfully measure the length of the meridian line.
  • Sun Simiao- the medicine king wrote a medical book – Qianjin Fang- Thousand Golden Prescriptions.
  • Yi Xing- led a national project to observe, identify and locate stars.

 

  • Science Song-
  • Acupuncture- A system of complementary medicine that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needle, used to lessen pain.
  • Shen Kuo- the first to discover magnetic declination of true north while experimenting with a compass.
  • Astronomer Yang Zhongfu- made the system of astronomical calendar and took 365.2425 days as one year.

 

  • Poetry Tang-
  • About 50,000 poems.
  • Poetry was very important in the Tang Dynasty.
  • Professional and social life of the literate class.
  • Imperial examination- government jobs.
  • Still very influential.

 

  • Poetry Song-
  • New form of poem called the ci lyric.
  • Ci lyric- new lyric to the rhythm of a pre-existing song.
  • Titled as “To the tine of…”
  • Usually expressed feelings of desire.

 

  • Technology Song-
  • Movable type printing helped the spread of woodblock printing to teach Confucian students.
  • During the 13th century the windmill started to be used throughout China.
  • Paper printed money was another advancement of currency during the Song Dynasty.
  • Advancements in agriculture like new developments of rice cultivation- harvesting.
  • Iron production increased almost six fold from 800-1078 C.E.

 

  • Technology Tang-
  • First clock escapement mechanism- called the astronomical clock- Yi Xing.
  • Gunpowder- had no life threatening properties but exploded when exposed to fire.
  • Air Conditioning- A cool hall was built in the palace- device called a Tang-Yulin functioned as an air conditioner- it had water powered fan wheels that moved the cold air about the hall.

 

  • Art Tang-
  • The tang period was considered the golden age of literature and art.
  • Toward the beginning of the Tang Dynasty the most common painting was the landscape.
  • Painting and calligraphy were viewed as some of the noble arts.
  • Most of these paintings were put onto scrolls so they could be hung on walls.
  • Shanshui- painting of the landscapes.

 

Weapons, Army, and Strategy-

  • Song Dynasty rose after the Tang Dynasty fell in 906.
  • Soldiers were drafted from the families of landowners, peasants, and court officials below the 6th rank of the social class.
  • People had to provide their own clothing, weapons, and food.
  • They began to serve at 21 years old, staying in the military until they reached 60 years old.
  • Soldiers didn’t leave their land.
  • In 749 the Fu military system was replaced by the mercenary system, which weakened the Tang military.

 

  • Strategy Tang-
  • They Tang used a Fu system of military which was very effective.
  • There were 3 categories with a certain number of men in each one.- Upper Fu commanded 1,200 men, Middle Fu- 1,000 men, Lower Fu- 800 men.
  • However, the Fubing (Fu) system was abandoned because it prevented agriculture.
  • The economy depended on it.
  • They they adopted a different system causing great loss in military dominance.

 

  • Strategy Song-
  • Military used like the U.S.
  • Used flanks.
  • Soldiers were rated on athletic ability and divided into companies, platoons, and a group of men called the cross bowers.

 

  • Army Tang-
  • 3 categories- upper, middle, lower Fu.
  • Each Fu had- regiments, companies, huos.
  • Each hou contained 10 soldiers ranked by size.

 

  • Army Song-
  • A lot of generals did something and are now considered a god or a legendary leader for their contributions.
  • Che Kung appeared in the villagers dreams who suffered from a plague and saved them.
  • If a man had a successful career in the military he had a sure path to success in politics.
  • The Du was basic combat unit in the army, smallest permanent unit – 100 men.
  • Ranked by physical strength and courage.
  • Split in to 2 Xian Bing the local provincial forces and the Jin Bing which formed the Imperial Army.
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