Background Information:
After the Tang Dynasty fell, there was a Transition Period. In the Transtioton Period, there were five northern dyasties, and ten southern kingdoms, and all of China was disunified. Some distinct characteristics of this period was local rulers expirementing with paper money, art and commerce, Tang poetry, the scholar-gentry class was dominating(nobles were given too much power, and they were abusing that power), and abuses in the civil service exam developed. After the Transition Period, the Song Dynasty, led by Emperor Taizu, took over and reunified China.
Characteristics of the Song Dynasty
- Inventions and revolutions of gun powder, clocks, compass, and moveable type
- Weak military
- Bureaucratic
- Strong economy
- Footing binding stops freedom and power of women
- Literature and culture were at their height
- Neo-Confucianism was the new government philosophy which combinged the old ideas of Confucianism and new ideas of Taoism and Buddism
- Weak military
- Bureaucratic
- Strong economy
- Footing binding stops freedom and power of women
- Literature and culture were at their height
- Neo-Confucianism was the new government philosophy which combinged the old ideas of Confucianism and new ideas of Taoism and Buddism
Foot Binding
"Men got stronger and women got weaker" |
Foot binding was a practice during the Song Dynasty where women would endure a series of breaking the bones in their feet and wrapping several times. They started this practice when they were as young as 6 years old, right before puberty. It was a sign of wealth because when their feet were like this they could work or do any labor. The highest class were the only ones who could afford to be out of work. This put more work to peasants and slaves. Foot binding also lead to gender divisions. It gave men more control and power over women who needed them to take care of them. Women had to be dependent. This practice was deemed beautiful and was accepted.
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King Taizu:
Emperor Taizu was the founder of the Song Dynasty. He had a bureacratic government, and focused more on appointing people based on their knowledge and abilities, rather than their family. His policies were based on Confucanism, and had mild punishments and laws, however, he was more severe with corruption and irresponsibility, which helped the empire. He also eased the tax prices, and made the economy easier for the poorer citizens. The political order of the Song created a stable, and peaceful dynasty. It was because of this that there was a vibrant economy, and it was a high point of Chinese classical culture-overflowing with literature and scientific innovation.
Fall of the Song
-The northern nomadic people kept moving into China and shrinking their territory.
-Later taken over by Kublai Khan and the Mongols
-Later taken over by Kublai Khan and the Mongols