Pre-Tang Dynasty
- Before the Tang Dynasty, there was the Sui Dynasty
- It lasted from 581 to 618
- A big achievement for the Dui dynasty was that they constructed most if the Grand Canal, by some labor of millions of workers
- However, the high taxes and the forced labor for some construction projects and wars made this dynasty very unpopular
- The Sui empire ended in rebellions
Early Tang Dynasty
- The Li family became powerful leaders
- He defeated his rival commanders and his rule lasted until 626 when his son forced him to retire
- His son, Li Shimin killed his two brothers to gain power as the emperor
- He was a very famous long-lived emperor
- He was known as Taizong
- He died in 649
Middle Tang Dynasty
- In the Middle Tang Dynasty there was war, famine, and external attacks, this caused the death of millions.
- In 750 the Nanzhao rebelled against the Tang Dynasty
- It was quite small but powerful
- They destroyed a large army that was sent against them in 750
- Then the Nanzhao expanded into Burma, Thailand, and the rest of Yunnan and Sichuan
Tang Dynasty
- 618 B.C.E. to 907 B.C.E
- Founded by the Li family
- Capitol was Chang’an
- At the time is was most popular city in the world
- It considered a high point of the Chinese
Major Accomplishments
- Developed a new study of medicine-emphasized the use of herbs and organic materials for treatment-still use today in China
- Their research into complex chemicals heavily influenced useful inventions that came later-like air conditioning
- Key player
- Li Yuan was the founder of the Tang Dynasty
- Wu Daozi was considerd the greatest painter of the Tang dynasty-cultural leader
- Li Shimin was one of the emperors during this time-an excellent politician
How they Lost Power
- The rise of the eunuchs
- Men that have been castrated
- They reached positions above princes and ministers
- The rules that kept them from reaching high offices were abolished
- Separatist Regions, Called Fanzhen, along the borders, fought amongst themselves
- They started as regional military governorships, for the safeguarding of boarders
- They competed for farmland and labor
- Conflict in the Ruling Class
- People of wealthy lineage and commoners who had worked their way up
- The most important factor was the peasant uprising
- Only non-governmental, external power, that contributed to the decline
- The government annexed a lot of land
- The biggest one of the Huang Chao Uprising
After the Tang Dynasty
- China descended into political turmoil after the fall of the Tang Dynasty
- It was known as the period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
Weapons
- Knife Chariot
- Rammer
- Scaling Ladder
- Iron Sword
Gunpowered
- Song military found gunpower to be helpful in siege warfare
- Led to the development of early types of rockets, cannons, bombs, and mines
- Bombs of gunpower were mixed with scrap iron that would be launched with catapults
- Song Dynasty wanted to continue to improve their weapons to hold the Mongols
Weapons the Tang Dynasty
- Pike, Swords, Bow and Arrow, Grenades, and Throwing Dagger
Armor
- Plates of iron with sharp edges that they also used as weapons
- Also used shields that were a very thick piece of iron that could almost defend between any weapons
Tactics
- Song- Clamor in the East, Attack in the West
- Element of surpise that provides an overwhelming advantage
- When face to face with an enemy attack them where they least expect it
- Tang- Create something from Nothing
- Feint is a movement in order to deceive their adversary
- Make a move then you make another move and when your enemy
778,900
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