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Key Characteristics and Changes in Postclassical Chinese Dynasties: Tang and Song

This overview explores the distinct features and transformations of the Tang (618-907 C.E.) and Song (960-1279 C.E.) dynasties in China. While both dynasties upheld Confucianism and embraced advances in bureaucracy and trade, the Song Dynasty is notable for its commercial growth and urbanization, fueled by technological innovations. The essay contrasts the attempts by each dynasty to address predecessors' weaknesses, illustrating their respective influences on culture, economy, and governance. Special attention is given to the roles of Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism in shaping societal structures during these eras.

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Key Characteristics and Changes in Postclassical Chinese Dynasties: Tang and Song

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  1. Postclassical China

  2. Dynasty Song • Name a characteristic of each Chinese dynasty we’ve studied thus far

  3. Changes & Continuities • Resembled Han: • Repetition of dynastic cycle • Professional bureaucracy, exam system • Confucianism key among elite • Dominance in greater East Asia • Changes: • Greater support of long-distance trade & commercialization make China richest, most urban society • Greater unification of N & S China

  4. Issues of Significance • Buddhism & Neo-Confucianism • Commercialization of Chinese economy • Spread & adaptation of Chinese culture beyond borders

  5. Buddhism & Neo-Confucianism • Under Han: • Confucianism, Daoism, & ancestor worship popular • Between dynasties: • Confucianism suffers loss of credibility • Foreign religions & Buddhism • Sui, Tang, Song: • Confucianism revived in exam system • Buddhism promoted until late Tang (supplanted by Neo-Confucianism), but remained influential

  6. Buddhism • Came via Silk Roads • Rich in texts • Preached about metaphysical • Monasteries • Social functions • Celibacy

  7. Neo-Confucianism • Reaction to Buddhist persecution • Continued practical study of politics & morality • Focused on social order • Neo? • Emphasis on tradition • Metaphysical investigation • Zhu Xi & Thomas Aquinas

  8. Sui Dynasty (589-618 C.E.) How did this dynasty govern China? • Remembered for harsh rule. What belief systems did this dynasty encourage? Discourage? • Although emperors themselves were Buddhists, encouraged practice of Buddhism, Confucianism, & Daoism.

  9. Sui Dynasty (589-618 C.E.) How did this dynasty affect daily life in China? • Grand Canal promoted domestic trade by connecting Yellow and Yangzi rivers • Rebuilding of Great Wall provided security from northern invaders. • Public works & central military unified empire

  10. Tang Dynasty (618-907 C.E.) How did this dynasty govern China? • Most geographically extensive empire to date • Governments composed of departments, each with its own area • Bureaucrats upheld Confucian ideals by acting as artists and politicians

  11. Tang Dynasty (618-907 C.E.) What belief systems did this dynasty encourage? Discourage? • Confucianism, Buddhism, & Daoism flourished • Buddhism repressed late

  12. Tang Dynasty (618-907 C.E.) How did this dynasty affect daily life in China? • Equal-field system limited power of rural aristocracy • Scholar class became new ruling elite • Land reform gave some peasants a chance to gain wealth

  13. Song Dynasty (960-1279 C.E.) How did this dynasty govern China? • Barbarian nomads harass China’s northern borders for 200 years • Song royal family forced south • Bureaucrats & civil-service exam expand • Centralization reaches peak, but state is weak

  14. Song Dynasty (960-1279 C.E.) What belief systems did this dynasty encourage? Discourage? • Neo-Confucianism, although Buddhism remained popular in background

  15. Song Dynasty (960-1279 C.E.) How did this dynasty affect daily life in China? • Power of merchant class rose as large-scale trade thrived • Cambodian strain of rice allowed Chinese farmers to double output • Technological advances produced new products • Center of Chinese growth in south

  16. Tang Sui Southern Song Song

  17. Commerce & Technology • Economic Development of Tang & Song • Technological and Industrial Development • Porcelain • Iron & Steel production • Gunpowder • Printing • Improved Ships and Navigation Tools

  18. Commerce & Technology • The Emergence of a Market Economy • Invention of paper money • Cosmopolitan society

  19. Question: • How did Chinese society change & stay the same during the postclassical period? • Compare & contrast the Tang & Song dynasties. • In what ways did each successive dynasty try to address the weakness of the previous? What were the results of these efforts?

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