Revival of Chinese CivilizationReturn of the Dynasty

200 CE- Fall of the Han200-600 CE- China in isolation - Threatened by Nomadic Invasions - Era of Warring states -

- 589 CE -

Valued military skill over learningBuddhism reaches a peakDynasty returns under the Sui

*Building projects *Unsuccessful military campaigns

Tang Dynasty (618-907)• Bureaucracy

strengthened

• Confucian Revival

• Highly centralized rule

at the expense of Buddhism

•Examination System

Tang gives way to Song Dynasty (960-1279)

• Smaller

• Less emphasis on military

• Forced South by other empires

Key Characteristics

• Neo-Confucianism –Philosophical Revival

–Emphasis on scholar class

–Hostility towards outside ideas (Buddhism)–Reinforce class and gender distinction

•Impact:

Revival of Classical learning

Goal was to promote morality via knowledge

Key Characteristics

• Foot binding

• Dowry

• Upper v. Lower Class

Gender Roles•Subordination of women

•Homemaker

•Patriarchy

•Widows should not remarry

•Limited education

•Little protection from the law

Key Characteristics

–Agricultural Production • Champa Rice

–Manufacturing• Textile, iron and steel

–Centered around cities (Hangzhou)

Economic revolution

Key CharacteristicsEconomic revolution

–Internal and International Trade

Silk Road reopensPacific Coast

Canal System

Chinese JunksExporting of Manufactured Goods

Key Characteristics

Cities:

• Most urbanized civilization

• Population

2 Million

10 % lived in cities

Age of Invention• Fueled by Neo-Confucianism

• Sciences and technology and unique forms of art

• At first, limited impact to China and East Asia

• Adopted by Europeans centuries later

Mechanical Clock: 725 CE

Used in Europe: 925 CE

Movable Type: 700 CE

Used in Europe: 1400 CE

Gunpowder:

1259 CE

Used in Europe: 1359 CE

Smallpox Inoculation:957 CE

Used in Europe: 1557 CE

Compass in 500 CE

Used in Europe: 1100 CE

Porcelain: 900 CE

Used in Europe: 1900 CE

Watch the video and then answer the question

• Question: What explains why so many innovations have their origin in China?

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/7250-china-innovation-in-ancient-china-video.htm

Byzantine and Chinese Similarities

• Survive fall of Classical Empire

• Combine tradition with new forms of rule– Emperor and Aristocracy under

Justinian’s Code

– Return of Dynasty under Neo-Confucianism

• Tribute– Slavs & Greeks– Korea

• Patriarchy• Reliance on international trade networks

– Constantinople– Hangzhou

• Vulnerable to outside invasion– Ottoman– Mongols

Byzantine and Chinese Differences

• Byzantine– Free peasant rebellion

• Protection was expensive• Taxes increase to pay for military• Church takes more land—exempt from taxes

– Sign of Decline

• Chinese – Free peasant rebellion

• Support of native Chinese over foreign Yuan dynasty (Mongols)

– Sign of strength