Tang-Song China

Which dynasty restored imperial rule in China after centuries of chaos?

The Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE).

What did Emperor Yangdi bring back to Chinese society?

Centralized bureaucracy and Confucian civil-service exams; he also launched massive public works like the Grand Canal.

Why was the Grand Canal important?

It linked northern and southern China, moved grain and taxes, boosted trade, and unified the empire economically.

Where and how did the Tang expand China’s borders?

Into Central Asia, Tibet, parts of Korea, and northern Vietnam through military conquest and alliances.

How did the Tang strengthen the scholar-gentry?

Expanded civil-service exams based on Confucian classics, giving bureaucratic power to educated officials over aristocrats.

What were the shortcomings of Tang meritocracy?

Only wealthy elites could afford exam prep; favoritism and corruption persisted; over-emphasis on literary skills weakened military leadership.

Two types of Chinese Buddhism and who favored each.

Chan (Zen): elites, scholars seeking meditation and insight.

Pure Land: commoners and women seeking salvation through faith in Amitabha.

Who was Empress Wu and what religion did she promote?

The only woman to rule China as emperor; she championed Buddhism to legitimize her reign.

How did Buddhism’s status change during the Tang Dynasty?

Early Tang supported it, but later emperors saw it as foreign and too wealthy; state persecutions (esp. under Wuzong) reduced its power.

What did Emperor Wuzong do?

Led the Great Buddhist Persecution

How did the balance of power shift from Tang to Song?

Tang: military governors strong.

Song: emperors curbed generals, empowered scholar-bureaucrats—creating civil control but military weakness.

Who was Zhu Xi?

Song philosopher who founded Neo-Confucianism, blending Confucian ethics with Buddhist/Daoist ideas; his teachings dominated exams.

Where did the Song struggle to maintain control?

Northern China—lost territory to Khitan (Liao) and Jurchen (Jin) peoples.

How did Chinese trade expand under the Tang and Song?

Better ships (junks), compasses, canals, and credit systems (flying money) fostered long-distance trade.

Where did China trade and what goods moved?

Across Silk Road & Indian Ocean with SE Asia, India, Islamic world, East Africa.

Exports: silk, porcelain, tea.

Imports: spices, gems, silver.

What was “Flying Money”?

Paper credit notes allowing merchants to transfer funds without hauling coins—an early form of banking.

What was Chang’an famous for?

Tang capital—cosmopolitan mega-city, political hub, Silk Road center.

How did China fit into the broader post-classical world?

Economic & tech superpower of Eurasia; innovations and Confucian culture influenced neighbors via trade & diplomacy.

What was footbinding and what did it symbolize?

Binding young girls’ feet to keep them tiny; sign of beauty and male control—restricted women’s mobility.

Who were Song-era artists and did art unite or divide society?

Scholar-official painters and poets; their refined literati culture united elites but widened gap with commoners.

Major Tang-Song technological innovations.

Gunpowder, compass, movable-type & block printing, porcelain, paper money, champa rice, improved shipbuilding & metallurgy.