AP World 13.2

Tang Dynasty

Tang Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (618-907) noted for its cultural and political height.

Empress Wu

The first female emperor of China (690-705) who attempted to establish a new dynasty.

Xuanzong Emperor

Leading Chinese emperor of the Tang dynasty who reigned from 713 to 755, although he encouraged overexpansion; known for the peak of Tang power and cultural achievement.

Yang Guifei

Royal concubine during reign of Xuanzong; introduction of her relatives into royal administration led to political unrest and revolt

An Lushan

General of nomadic origins who led a revolt against the Tang dynasty in 755.

Song Dynasty

The dynasty that ruled China from 960 to 1279, noted for its cultural prosperity despite military weaknesses.

Khitan

Nomadic peoples of Manchuria who founded the Liao dynasty in 907; militarily superior to Song dynasty China but influenced by Chinese culture; forced humiliating treaties on Song China in 11th century. 

Neo-Confucians

Revived ancient Confucian teachings in Song era China; great impact on the dynasties that followed; their emphasis on tradition/morality/social harmony and hostility to foreign systems made Chinese rulers and bureaucrats less receptive to outside ideas and influences.

Wang Anshi

Confucian scholar and chief minister of a Song Shenzong emperor in 1070s; introduced sweeping reforms based on Legalists; advocated greater state intervention in society.

Jin Kingdom

 Kingdom (nomadic dynasty) north of the Song Empire; established by Jurchens in 1115 after overthrowing the Khitans (Liao dynasty); ended 1234. 

Xi Xia

Kingdom of Tangut people (Rulers of Xi Xia kingdom; one of regional kingdoms during period of southern Song; conquered by Mongols in 1226), north of Song kingdom, in mid-11th century; the southwest of the Khitan kingdom of Liao; collected tribute that drained Song resources and burdened Chinese peasantry

Scholar-gentry

The educated elite in Chinese society who held government positions during the Song era.

Southern Song Dynasty

Rump state of Song dynasty from 1127 to 1279 after the northern territories were lost; carved out of the much larger domains ruled by the Tang and northern Song; culturally one of the most glorious reigns in Chinese history.

Political Division

The fragmentation and lack of central control that characterized China at the end of the Tang dynasty.

Jurchens

Founders of the Jin kingdom that succeeded the Liao in northern China; annexed most of the Yellow River basin and forced Song to flee to south. 

Palace Revolt

The uprising against Empress Wei that restored control to a prince (Xuanzong) in the Tang court.

Art Patronage

Xuanzong's focus on arts and culture rather than political administration.

Military Weaknesses

Challenges faced by the Tang and Song dynasties in maintaining control over their territories.

Civil Service Exams

Examinations implemented during the Song dynasty to recruit government officials based on merit.

Cultural superiority

The notion held by the Khitans regarding the Song as a high example of civilization.

Rote Memorization

Traditional method of education in the imperial exams before reforms promoted analytical thinking.

Tributary Relations

Economic agreements between the Song and northern nomadic states to prevent invasions.

Zhao Kuangyin

Founder of Song dynasty; originally a general following fall of Tang; took title of Taizu; failed to overcome northern Liao dynasty that remained independent.

Liao Dynasty

 Founded in 907 by nomadic Khitan peoples from Manchuria; maintained independence from Song dynasty in China. 

Zhu Xi

Most prominent of neo-Confucian scholars during the Song dynasty in China; stressed importance of applying philosophical principles to everyday life and action.