A New Era of Chinese CultureThe Tang Dynasty:

The second great Chinese empire characterized by its territorial expansion, unprecedented size, efficient central government, cosmopolitan city Chang’an, urbanization of major cities, expansion of domestic transportation, increasing interregional trade, appearance of local specialization, openness to and communication with the outside world, agricultural and economic growth, affluence of society, brilliant rulers, population boom, social pluralism, adoption of the civil examinations, cultural advances…

The ruling house was of “barbarian” origin and the dynasty underwent continuing transformation despite an interception in the mid-eighth century:

• Increased cultural and economic dominance in the south

• Maritime trade developed and new harbors and  entrepôt connected China with Southeast Asia, India, and the Persian Gulf through sea-based trade

• spatial redefinition continued its effects, resulting in further development of social mobility and allowing southerners to take advantage of the civil service examinations to obtain official posts.

The Unified China: Tang Dynasty

Tang (618-906): A unified empire after the short-lived Sui (581-618) dynasty, whose founder, Li Yuan, began to restore the divided China after the collapse of the Sui.

Li Yuan, founder of the Tang Dynasty

China’s Dominance in AsiaChina’s extraordinary

leadership from 581-755 made the advance of China a dominant power in Asia Wendi, Yangdi of the Sui Gaozu (r. 618-627),

Taizong (r.627-649), Gaozong (r.649-683), Emperor Wu (690-705), and Xuanzong (712-755)

Legacy of their rules: Check-and-balance political system

Effective decision-making process and control of

violence

• The best ordered state in the world

Cosmopolitan receptivity, social pluralism

Strong economy and wealthy state supported by the

Grand Canal

The civil service examinations

Li Yuan was the founder, and his son Li Shimin brought the empire into peace and stability.

Li Shimin, or Emperor Taizong (r.627-649) Vanquished the Eastern Turks, who, after being

defeated, accepted Tang leadership and recognized Taizong as their Khagan (Qaghan, Khan)

Established a sophisticated bureaucratic system that linked imperial court and all regions under the empire

Instituted the “Equal Field” system to consolidate tax revenues and the fubing (regimental army) system

Used officials steeped in Confucian learning; set up school and examination systems

Taizong’s rule is characterized by: Openness to civilian talents and foreigners Legitimization of the Li family Pragmatic diplomacy (to Tibet, Korean States, and

Japan)

Conquered Eastern Turks and controlled

Western Turks

Claimed unchallenged mastery in Central

Asia Elevation of Daoism Patronage of Buddhism

Creation of a particular court styleCosmopolitanization of Tang capital Chang’anCreation of an innovated Chinese World

Order of the Sinosphere

Gaozong and Empress Wu Imperial expansion: central Asia, north Korea

• Conquered Koguryo in 688

• Dealt with Khitan and Tibetan

Made examinations a prestigious “fast-track” to

the higher offices Promoted the Civil Service Examinations system,

particularly the Jinshi degree

Reasserted and extended the Daoist affiliation with the dynasty A Daoist magus Ye Fashan was called to court Wrote a preface to fascicles of Daoist canon Laozi (Lao-tzu) was awarded a deity’s name

Taishang xuanyuan huangdi, or Supreme Emperor of the Mysterious

Gaozong’s daughter, Princess Taiping, was given Daoist ordination

The Daode jing (Tao-te ching) was made a compulsory subject in the civil service examinations

Emperor Xuanzong Emperor Xuanzong

Most glorious epoch of the Tang (712-755)Most glorious epoch of the Tang (712-755)– Most prosperous ageMost prosperous age

Most affluent families and societyMost affluent families and society

Reformed equal-field system, increased agricultural Reformed equal-field system, increased agricultural productivityproductivity

Prices of goods were stablePrices of goods were stable

– Benevolent ruleBenevolent ruleReduced the number of capital punishmentReduced the number of capital punishment

Multiplied tax exemptionsMultiplied tax exemptions

Expanded school systemExpanded school system

Improved health care systemImproved health care system

Xuanzong as a Talented Monarch A musician, poet,

calligrapher… Known for establishing the

Pear Garden Troupe—the beginning of local opera

Kept a troupe of dancing horses

Honored the three teachings, patronized Tantric Buddhism

Established a new academy for poets

Rebellion and RestorationCauses: Xuanzong’s obsession with Yang Guifei

and trust in An Lushan; political struggle between An Lushan and prime minister

The An Lushan Rebellion Rebels sacked and ruined the capital Emperor fled to Sichuan

• Yang Guifei was strangled, and the minister slain north China laid waste

Xianzong restored and rebuilt the empire (805-860)

Restoration and Rebellion

Failing attempt to recover economy Suppression of Buddhism and other foreign

faiths• Manichaeanism, Zoroastrianism, and

Nestorian Christianity (Judaism, Islam)

Large-scale rebellions in the southForeign threat: Nanzhao, TibetHuang Chao Rebellion

Chang’an ruined again

The Fall of the Tang

Turks helped imperial forces to recover Chang’an first but ruined it later

Warrior Zhu Wen seized control of the capital, reduced it to a wasteland

Zhu Wen moved the capital to Luoyang, forced the last emperor to abdicate, assumed the throne, and founded his own dynasty—beginning of the Five Dynasties

Manjusri of Mt. Wutai, Tang Dynasty