Tang Dynasty
Accomplishments
- china achieved the peak of civilization band became the center of trade
- The study of medicine-conducted a study on diabetes and discovered the sources
- The study of complex chemicals-created gunpowder and air-conditioning
- The study of Law and math-achievement in the field of education, It marked a huge contribution for economic growth and stability of building a strong foundation for China
- 618 A.D-907 A.D.
Key Players
- LI Yuan-known for as Taiyuan Gong
- a chancellor of the Sui Dynasty who rose in rebellion
- Li Shimin-the second son of Li Yuan
- Powerful ruler good at both military strategy and Chinese calligraphy
- Li Zhi-9thson of Li Shimin
- considered a weak ruler because he was assisted by Empress Wu Zetian for most of his reign
Before Tang
- The Sui Dynasty ruled from the years 581-618
- It was the last dynasty before the Tang
- Fell because it went into chaos due to tyranny of Emperor Yang
Fall of Tang
- Difficult for people to make a living
- People began to rebel
- Huang Chao’s led an army of 100,000 soldiers
- Huang Chao’s declared himself emperor
- Rebellion lasted for a decade (875-884 AD)
- Rebellion was defeated by the Tang
- never really recovered
- Haung surrendered to Tang forces
- cause 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 Liang Dynasty
- imperial Dynasty of China(related)
- Capital is at Chang’an China
Science, Poetry, Technology & Arts
Science-Tang
- Monk Yixing was 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 needles, used to lessen pain
- Shen Kuo was 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
- around 50,000 poems
- Poetry was very important in the Tang Dynasty
- Professional and social life of the literate class
- Imperial examinations-government jobs
- still very influential
Poetry-Song
- New form of poem called the ci lyric
- Ci lyric-new lyric written to the rhythm of a pre-existing song
- Titled as “To the tune of…”
- Usually expressed feelings of desire
Technology-Song
- Movable type printing helped 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 sixfold from 800 CE to 1078 CE.
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. A device called a Tang-Yulin functioned as an air conditioner
- it has water powered fan wheels that moved the cold air about the hall
Art-
- 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 most noble art
- most of these paintings were put onto scrolls so they could be hung on walls
- Shanshui-means painting of the landscapes
Weapons, Army, and Strategy
Background
- the Song dynasty arose after the Tang dynasty fell in 906
- Soldiers were drafted from the families of landowners, peasants, and court officials below the 6th rank of 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.
- usually soldiers didn’t leave their land until it was time for battle
- In 749, the fu military system was replaced by the mercenary system, which weakened the Tang military
Strategy-tang
- the 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-1000 men
- lower fu-800 men
- however the Fubing (Fu) system was abandoned because it prevented agriculture
- the economy depended on it
- then they adopted a different system causing great loss in military dominance
Strategy-Song
- Military used like the US
- 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 Fu01,200 men
- middle Fu-1000 men
- lower Fu-800 men
- regiments
- companies
- huos
- each hu contained 10 soldiers
Army-Song
- a lot of generals did something and are now considered a god, or legendry leader for their contributions
- Che Kung appeared in the villages dreams who suffered from a plague and saved them
- if a man had a successful career in the military he had a sure path ot success in politics
- the Du was basic combat unit in the army, smallest permanent unit (100men)
- ranked by physical strength and courage
- split into 2, Xiang Bing, the local provincial forces, and the Jin Bing, which formed the Imperial Army
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