The Resurgence of Empire In East Asia

The Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule in ChinaChina reestablished its political, economic,

and cultural hegemony during the post-classical era by restoring centralized rule, by developing technologies which expanded agricultural and manufacturing output, and by using armed forces and diplomats to influence culture in Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.

Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule in ChinaSui Dynasty

Yang Jian reestablished centralized imperial rule in China through the use of tight political discipline and military force.

Lead to the short lived Sui Dynasty Construction of Granaries, dykes, levees, defensive walls,

and fortifications. Sent military forces to central Asia and Korea Required compulsory labor Levied high taxes to pay for projects Grand Canal – Sui Yangdi’s construction project that led to

cultural and political unity in China. Linked economies of north and south China with 1500 miles

of canals and roads. Built with forced labor and high taxes which led to

resentment.

Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule in ChinaThe Tang Dynasty

Lasted nearly 300 years, transformed Chinese society.Emperor Tan Taizong

Leadership based on Confucian ideals Emphasis on relationships and doing what was best for his subjects. Stressed maintenance of transportation and communication

systems.Used military might to expand into Manchuria, central Asia,

Korea, and Vietnam Implemented Tributary Relationships to institutionalize

relationships and foster trade, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic relations with East Asia.

Military and internal rebellion eventually weakened the empire and the Mandate of Heaven was withdrawn from the Tang emperor in 907 and control fell to military leaders.

Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule in ChinaThe Song Dynasty

960-1279Song Taizu – Used strong army to overtake the local

warlords who had overcome the Tang Dynasty.Set up large and elaborate Confucian government

bureaucracy Problems: Expensive to pay all the government bureaucrats and

crumbling economy led to revolt Military led by government was no match for the

northern nomads and eventually the Song were pushed into the southern part of China where they fell to the Mongols in 1279.

The Economic Development of Tang and Song ChinaEconomic growth begun in the Tang and Song

dynasties stimulated trade and production throughout much of the eastern hemisphere for more than seven hundred years.

Agricultural DevelopmentSui and Tang Dynasties learned from Vietnam and

started growing rice, which was fast growing and allowed them to double their output.

Integrated heavy iron plows, extensive irrigation systems, use of manure and organic materials to fertilize the soil, and terraced mountain farming vastly expanded agricultural output in China.

Tang and Song EconomyAgricultural Development

Increase population growthUrbanization – Thousands of shops, restaurants,

hotels, taverns, gardens, teahouses, brothels, and other urban entertainments sprang up.

Social structuresStrengthened the patriarchal society as families

sought to protect their wealth.Also changed the lives of farmers as they

shifted to commercial market-oriented cultivation of crops best suited to their regions.

Technological and Industrial DevelopmentPorcelain – High demand in Southeast Asia, India,

Persia, and East AfricaMetallurgy – Iron and Steel used in farming and

weaponry, and large construction projects (Bridges)Gunpowder - Printing – Block printing during Tang Dynasty

eventually leading to moveable typeProduced cheap, high-volume readily available texts.

Naval Technology – Allowed for long distance trade in Indian OceanMagnetic Compass

The Emergence of a Market EconomyTightly integrated economy coupled with

successful management of food distribution and guard against military uprising lead to rapid growth in Chinese economy.Lead to shortage of copper currency

Lead to development of paper currency. Eventually lead to problems as people started to

privately print money and could not afford to pay back credit they had used to purchase goods / services.

Lead to strict government production of money by the time of the Qing dynasty which included both serial numbers and protection against counterfeiting.

Cultural Change in Tang and Song ChinaThe Establishment of Buddhism

Came to China via the Silk RoadDeveloped as a syncretic faith – a result of the

interaction of Confucian and Daoist traditions with Buddhism set in the context of Tang and Song Chinese Culture.

Cultural Change in Tang and Song ChinaThe Establishment of Buddhism

Although Buddhism came to China with Indian merchants trading with the Han dynasty, it did not gain a lot of popularity until the Tang and Song dynasties

Chinese attracted to Buddhism because of high moral standards, intellectual sophistication and promise of salvation.

Monks farmed land in China and shared with peasantsConfucians did not like emphasis on celibacy and monastic

lifestyle (Conflicted with family and filial piety)To calm the Confucians and Daoists the Buddhists in China

modified some of their teachings to fit Chinese culture betterZen Buddhism in Japan emphasized a lot of the same things as

Daoism (Meditation, withdraw, moment of clarity)

Neo-ConfucianismBlending of Buddhism and Confucianism

Ideas influenced philosophical, political, moral, and intellectual life in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.

Chinese Influence in East AsiaIn the postclassical era, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan

each developed a deep but unique interpretation of Chinese cultural and political values while maintaining their own distinctive identities.

KoreaTang armies conquered much of Korea in seventh

century.Korean Silla dynasty avoided occupation by practicing

Tribute relationship and Kowtow with China. Chinese markets opened to Korean merchants, tradersKorea adopted a lot of Chinese government practices

as well as Confucian and Buddhist ideas.

Chinese Influence in East AsiaVietnam

Relationship more hostile than with KoreaAdopted farming and irrigation techniques

from China

Chinese Influence in East AsiaEarly Japan

First populated by nomads and migrants from Korea who brought iron, bronze, rice, and horses

Nara Period – 710-794 CE the high point of Chinese influence in Japan when one of Japan’s ruling clans sought to form a centralized government much like China’s

Japan had emperors, but they were more like ceremonial figureheads than actual rulers.

Mid-twelfth century Japanese civil war fought between Minamoto and Taira clans Minamoto won and instituted Shogun for next 400 years. Shogun – Military governor who ruled instead of the emperor Minamoto dominated for next 400 years.

Early JapanAdopted ideas from Confucianism and

Buddhism but maintained their traditional indigenous SHINTO religion.

Medieval Japan (1185-1573 CE)Refers to period to age between Chinese influence

and the rise of the Japanese centralized government in the sixteenth century.

Developed decentralized political system in which provincial lords control land, economics, and justice.

Military talent of Samurai played a huge role in in political and military affairs.Local lords relied upon them to help extend powerSupported Samurai with ag surplus and peasants to

work the land so they could devote themselves to sharpening military skills.