The Expansion of China

1. The Expansion of China Period 3: Regional and Transregional Interactions 600 CE-1450 CE The Post-Classical Era

2. Introduction • The political disorder following the collapse of the Han dynasty was reversed by the establishment of centralized government under the Sui dynasty (589-618). • The brief period of Sui rule was followed by the powerful Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. • Although the era of the Tang was characterized by trade and agricultural expansion, that of the Song emphasized Chinese tradition, including the patriarchal family and Confucian teachings.

3. Vocabulary • Abacus • Bakufu • Bushi • Bushido • Celadon • Daimyo • Flying money • Foot binding • Gempei Wars • Grand Canal • Junks • Kowtow • Neo-Confucianism • Samurai • Scholar-gentry • Seppuku • Serf • Shinto • Shogun • Shogunate • Tea ceremony • Tribute

4. Overview • The Tang and Song dynasties proved to be an era of active long-distance trade contacts and unprecedented technological innovation in China. • During this era, China extended its borders to intensify the diffusion of its culture to regions such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. • At the same time that China was broadening its influence, it was repeatedly plagued by nomadic invaders from the north such as Khitan and the Jurchens. • The necessity of addressing the problem of nomadic invasions became China's next great challenge.

5. The Tang Dynasty • Immediately followed the Sui dynasty. Along with Song represents Golden Age of Influence • Ruled from the world’s largest city: Chang’an • Construction on the Great Wall and the Confucian system of civil service exams continued. • Xuanzang: Chinese monk who transcribed Buddhist sanscrit manuscripts to Chinese • Changes: official government rejection of Buddhism (later Tang) and the restoration of Confucianism. More complex bureaucracy. • Scholar-gentry influenced the bureaucracy • Similar in size and shape to the Han Empire • Expanded the empire using military power, diplomacy, and trade • Raised taxes to pay for its operations. Used a census to know how many people there were. 50 million in mid 8th century (Highest then and now) • Art: beautiful ceramics, porcelain figures • Technology: printing, gunpowder, medicine, the compass, ship construction

6. Achievements of the Tang • Trade and travel along the Silk Roads was protected • Diasporic communities: Chinese merchant communities in Southeast Asia • Contact with Islamic people increased • Spread of printing and gunpowder technology from East Asia into Islamic empires • Ocean-going ships were improved, increasing ocean trade • Chinese junks were among the world’s best ships and dominated the Indian Ocean • Letters of credit, flying money, facilitated long-distance trade • Urban areas grew in size • The Grand Canal, a 1100 mile waterway was extended • Linked Beijing to Hangzhou which became a major trading city for China • Large estates were broken up and land was redistributed • Gunpowder was invented • Short stories and poems were popular • Tea and fast-growing rice were imported from Vietnam • Population growth in the rice-growing south surpassed the millet-growing north

7. The Song Dynasty • Followed the Tang, which collapsed after floods, famine, pirates, and bandits caused chaos. Mandate of Heaven would choose a new dynasty • Continuities Tang to Song: export manufactured goods via Silk Roads, development of urban centers, Confucian examination system • Changes: Neo-Confucianism and foot-binding • Neo-Confucianism: adapted traditional with Buddhism and Daoism • Becomes a Salvationist faith, a religion with an eternal reward=cultural blending • Reduction in the status of women during the Song • Foot-binding: young girls feet were folded and bound to create a small “attractive” foot. • Made it difficult for women to walk. Women were to remain at home and be little more than property • Song Dynasty had a hard time controlling the Khitan to the north and paid tribute to them to keep them from taking land

8. Achievements of the Song • Continued oversea trade • Landscape paintings • Warfare: catapults, flame-throwers, and rocket launchers • Printing with moveable type • Compasses used in ocean travel • The abacus was developed to aid counting • Foot-binding • Intensified patriarchal family

9. Japan • Sinification, or the spread of Chinese culture happened voluntarily • Chose to incorporate aspects of Chinese civilization. (China never conquered Japan) • Writing, bureaucracy, and belief systems were purposely borrowed. • Buddhism and Confucianism became popular • Mixed with Shinto • “Ultracivilized” aristocratic Heian Era (794-1185) was written about in The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki • Loss of imperial power due to frivolous court life • Established the Shogun, rule by military strongman • Emperor is there but with reduced role • Feudal society developed similar to Western Europe at the same time. Rich landowners (bushi) overseeing poor workers (serfs) and obtaining protection from knights, the Samurais.

10. Korea • Tang dynasty conquered Korea but removed military forces after a while. In return the Korean Silla dynasty paid tribute • Korean leaders borrowed from China • Scholars traveled to China and brought home books, technology, and ideas • Culture: writing, religion (Buddhism), fashion, and architecture • Elite classes adopted Confucianism

11. Vietnam • Chinese armies marched into Vietnam but had only temporary success • Revolted early and often • Women did not accept Confucian system of male dominance • Tang benefited from this interaction by adopting the quick-ripening rice.