Political and Economic Transformations in Song China

An Lushan Rebellion

Rebellion led by commander An Lushan in 755-757.

Rokshan

Sogdian name for An Lushan, the rebellion leader.

Tibetans and Uighurs

Groups that suppressed the An Lushan Rebellion.

Song territory

Region where military officials gained control.

Water paddle

Technological innovation for moving water efficiently.

Tang Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 618 to 907.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 960 to 1279.

Demographic shift

Population center moved south during Song era.

Agricultural revolution

Transformation in farming practices during the Song.

Northern vs Southern interests

Economic divergence between northern and southern China.

Commercial capital

Kaifeng, center of trade during the Song.

Tax system change

Shift from person-based to property-based taxation.

Scholar-officials (shidafu)

New elite class recruited through examinations.

Print culture

Rise of literature and education in Song society.

Confucian revival

Renewed focus on Confucian learning and moral cultivation.

Liao Dynasty

Conquest dynasty in northern China, 916-1125.

Jin Dynasty

Conquest dynasty in northern China, 1115-1234.

Five Dynasties Period

Era of disunion in China from 907 to 959.

Zhao Kuangyin

Founder of Song Dynasty through military coup.

Civil bureaucracy

Organized local administration under Song governance.

Treaty of Shanyuan

Agreement acknowledging multistate system in 1005.

Qingli reform

1043-45 reforms aimed at revitalizing the state.

Emperor Huizong

Reigned 1100-1125; led to dynastic collapse.

Zhao Kuangyin

Founded Song Dynasty after military coup.

Rule of Avoidance

Administrative strategy to prevent corruption.

Treaty of Shanyuan

Signed in 1005; acknowledged multistate system.

Qingli Reform

1043-1045 reforms aimed at revitalizing state.

Fan Zhongyan

Influential statesman and reform advocate.

Liao Dynasty

Conquest dynasty in northern China (916-1125).

Northern Song

Period from 960-1127, marked by consolidation.

Jin Dynasty

Conquest dynasty in northern China (1115-1234).

Southern Song

Period from 1127-1279 after Jin conquest.

Five Dynasties Period

907-959; marked by political fragmentation.

Consolidation of Imperial Order

Centralization of military and civil bureaucracy.

Civil Bureaucracy

Organized local administration with checks and balances.

Phantom Menace

Refers to ineffective reforms during Song Dynasty.

Khubilai Khan

Emperor of the Great Yuan, reigned 1271-1294.

Temüjin

Became Chinggis Khan in 1206; unified Mongols.

Ming Dynasty

Overthrew the Yuan in 1368.

Southern Tang

One of the states conquered by Zhao Kuangyin.

Opportunistic Irredentism

Policy leading to loss of Central Plain.

Imperial Indulgence

Luxury and Daoism practices by Emperor Huizong.

New Policies

Reforms during Shenzong's reign (1067-1085).

Chinggis Khan

Title granted at khuriltai in 1206.

Khuriltai

Mongolian assembly for electing leaders.

Military Establishment

Key to Mongol success and expansion.

Personal Charisma

Influential leadership trait of Chinggis Khan.

Mongol Universal Empire

Empire expanded significantly under Chinggis Khan.

Uighur Submission

Conquered by Mongols in 1211.

Jin Campaigns

Military actions against Jin from 1211-1215.

Khwarazm Campaign

Mongol invasion of Khwarazm in 1221.

Xi Xia Campaign

Conquest of Xi Xia in 1226.

Yelü Cucai

Khitan advisor to Chinggis Khan.

Ögödei Khan

Chinggis Khan's successor, ruled 1186-1241.

Möngke Khan

Grandson of Chinggis Khan, ruled 1209-1259.

Khanate of the Golden Horde

Mongol realm in south Russia and Ukraine.

Yuan Dynasty

Khubilai's rule over China, 1215-1294.

Occupational Households

Mongol customs imposed on Han Chinese.

All under Heaven

Concept redefined under Mongol rule.

Tanistry

Succession system based on familial relationships.

Khubilai

Mongolian emperor who established the Yuan dynasty.

Occupational households

Households engaged in specific trades or professions.

Darughachi

Mongol officials overseeing local governance.

Chinese Renaissance

Cultural revival during the Southern Song period.

Southern Song

Dynasty ruling from 1127 to 1279 in China.

Emperor Huizong

Southern Song emperor known for misled reforms.

Yue Fei

General stripped of power by Southern Song leadership.

Great Impartiality

Policy accommodating various political factions.

Shanyuan Treaty

Agreement restoring diplomatic relations with the Jin.

Medieval Economic Revolution

Period of significant economic growth and innovation.

Champa rice

High-yield rice variety introduced to China.

Huizi

Paper money used during the Southern Song.

Ever-Normal Granary

State-controlled grain storage system for price stability.

Kaifeng

Capital city of the Northern Song dynasty.

Lin'an

Capital city of the Southern Song dynasty.

Dadu

Capital city of the Yuan dynasty, near Beijing.

Imperial indulgence

Excessive luxury and Daoism by Emperor Huizong.

Military blunders

Strategic errors leading to loss of territory.

Economic prosperity

Growth in trade and agriculture during Southern Song.

Political purges

Elimination of dissenting literati opinions.

Wang Anshi

Reformer aiming to transform Southern Song society.

Emperor Shenzong

Young emperor facing military, financial, bureaucratic issues.

Wang Anshi

Southern man, successful administrator, master of Classics.

Green Sprout Policy

Economic reform to support agricultural production.

Mutual Responsibility Policy

Military reform ensuring shared accountability among troops.

Engrossing Families

Wealthy families hindering economic reforms and policies.

Sima Guang

Opposition leader against Wang Anshi's reforms.

Su Shi

Prominent figure opposing Wang Anshi's policies.

Cheng Yi

Critic of Wang Anshi, influential literati thinker.

Totalist Tendency

Wang Anshi's view of society as an integrated system.

New Policies

Reforms addressing economy, military, education, and government.

Service Exemption Policy

Economic reform exempting certain individuals from service.

State Trade Policy

Government control over trade to stabilize economy.

Commercialized Economy

Economy focused on trade and monetization.

Optimism Among Literati

Positive outlook fostering support for Wang's reforms.

Civil Service Examinations

System for selecting government officials based on merit.

Bureau for Commentaries on the Classics

Institution providing new curriculum for education reforms.

Chinese Renaissance

Cultural revival during the Song Dynasty.

Literati Protest

Resistance from educated elites against reforms.

Foundation in Antiquity

Wang's belief in learning from historical texts.