Two Great Dynasties In China

Chapter 12 sect. 1Pages 287 - 291

The Tang Dynasty Ruled for 300 years (618 – 907) Under the ruler Tang Taizong China re-conquered

northern and western lands.

Under Empress Wu Zhao China extended influence in Korea

Tang Taizong kept taxes reasonable to keep people on his side. Built a strong central government.

By the mid-700s Tang Dynasty loses power. Government cost began to rise and taxes on people began to rise.

Arabs also began conquering China’s western lands.

Song Dynasty In 960 general Song Taizu restored unity to

China. Song Dynasty last about 300 years also (960 -

1279) They were never able to regain the lands the

lost to the Muslims.

Tried to buy peace with northern enemies.

Song Dynasty and family had to flee south when the Manchurian Jin empire.

Era of Chinese Prosperity & Innovation Science & Technology Advances =

moveable type (printer could arrange blocks of individual characters in a frame to make up a page for printing)

Gunpowder

Porcelain

Mechanical clock

Paper money

Use of magnetic compass

Era of Chinese Prosperity & Innovation Chinese experienced rapid growth from

framing advances Improved cultivation of rice In 1000 they imported a new variety of fast

ripening rice Helped Chinese produce more food

Chinese Society New Upper class emerged after Tang Dynasty. Upper class made up of scholar-officials

(bureaucrats) this class of well to do people is known as a

gentry

Urban Middle Class included merchants, shoe keepers, skilled artisans, and manor officials

Peasants made up the largest lower class.

Chinese Women Women had always been subservient to men Their role lowered even more during the Tang

and Song dynasties.

Upper class would bind women’s feet together produced a lily foot.

The Mongol Conquests

Chapter 12 sect. 2Pages 294 - 298

Nomads of the Asian Steppe Western steppe stretches from Central Asia to

Eastern Europe

Eastern Steppe covers modern day Mongolia first home of the Huns Turks and Mongols.

Very little rain fell and the Eastern Steppe was dry but enough rain fell to support short hardy grass.

Nomads were pastoralists = they herded domestic animals and were constantly moving searching for good pasture for animals to eat.

Rise of Mongols 1206 Temujin accepts role as Genghis Khan

(meaning universal ruler)

Over 21 years he led Mongols on conquest of Asia.

Launched terror conquests because the Muslims killed Mongol traders and ambassador.

Genghis Khan Brilliant organizer =

grouped his warriors in to 1,000 man brigades, 100 man companies, and 10 man platoons.

Gifted strategist = used tricks to confuse enemies;

Used cruelty as a weapon = terrified his enemies into surrender.

Mongol Empire After death of Genghis Khan his son, the Great

Khan takes over.

Under Great Khan the Mongol armies completed conquest of northern China and Korea. The conquered Kiev and made it to the Adriatic Sea

Mongol Peace Mongols guaranteed

safe passage of trade caravans, travelers, and missionaries from one end of the empire to another.