Name: __________________________

Civilization: Tang/Song Dynasties in China

G

eography

G

overnment

R E

Describe it and how it effected the civilization Chinaʼs geography was very important for its development and allowed its Golden Age to occur. Though it was very large, it was well protected by mountains to the south and north, deserts to the west and north, and the ocean to the east. China also had three major rivers which helped support its development. Because China was so well protected, it allowed for its civilization to survive and flourish in a Golden Age. What system? Major leaders? How were laws made? China was ruled by an emperor who used an extensive bureaucracy to rule his large land. The Chinese believed that the emperor was the “son of heaven” and that he ruled with the power of the mandate of heaven. So long as the emperor was a just and effective ruler, things would be good in China. However, when things got bad, the Chinese believed that the emperor had lost the mandate of heaven, and a new dynasty could be created. The basis for entry into the government bureaucracy was passing a very difficult civil service exam which focused on the teachings of Confucian philosophy. Students would study for years to have a chance to pass this very difficult test. Doing so would guarantee a position in Chinaʼs respected, and well paid, ruling class. Describe it and how it effected the civilization

eligion

conomics

Three different belief systems all played important roles in Chinese civilization. Confucianism emphasized order in society and having respect for those above you. Taoism emphasized meditation and the balance in nature symbolized by the Yin Yang. Buddhism emphasized following the eightfold path to reach enlightenment. All these belief systems would encourage people not to challenge the ruler, which would allow for the stability necessary to have a Golden Age. What system? Trade? Chinaʼs economy was largely based on farming, however, during the Tang and Song dynasties, China developed a small merchant class. However, merchants were considered to be lower than peasants in some ways because they relied on the labor of others. During this period, China also became the first civilization in the world to develop paper money. Trade played a very important role in China. The Chinese traded along the Silk Road, a trade route which connected China, India, and the Middle East. China also developed as shipbuilders during this time which encouraged more trade.

Name: __________________________

A

Give style and/or examples of major works

rts/

Architecture

S

cience/

Technology

E

ducation

S

ocial Values

During the Tang and Song dynasties, the arts flourished. Chinese writers wrote poetry and short stories; painters created beautiful landscape paintings; and writers developed calligraphy. The best known architecture of this period is the pagoda, a temple with a curved roof at the corners. Additionally, the Chinese became experts at using porcelain in their pottery. What major developments did the civilization make? During the Tang and Song dynasties, China made a number of major advancements that would greatly alter human history. During this period, the Chinese invented paper money, printing, gunpowder, and the compass. All four inventions would have dramatic effects on both Chinese and world history. Paper money would become the basis for all economies, printing helped spread ideas around the world, gunpowder would greatly increase the destructive force of war, and the compass would allow for sea navigation throughout the world. What kind of education did youth receive? While most of the society remained uneducated, wealthy land owners created schools for their male children to be prepared for the challenging civil service examinations that would allow entry into Chinaʼs advanced political class. Social Class? Gender Issue? Slavery? Entertainment? Etc. China was split into three main classes. At the top were the gentry, who were the wealthy landowners who could afford to go to school and possibly become members of the government. The majority of Chinese were peasants who lived in small villages and worked the land. At the bottom, were merchants who, although they might become rich, were considered lower than peasants because they relied on othersʼ labor. However, merchants could go to school and, if they passed the civil service examinations, become members of the gentry. While women in Chinese society had much power within the home, including managing family finances, delivering discipline, and supervising servants, women were considered inferior to men. Only males could take the civil service exams to become part of the government, and women were required to become a part of their husbandʼs family after marriage, and could not remarry, even if their husband died.