Background Information
After the fall of the Siu Dynasty, Li Yuan, a man from the northern part of China, rose to power and conquered Chang'an. He then took the throne of China.
Empress Wu
Empress Wu was the first female ruler of China. She started her career in politics as a compribind, and later became the chief of advisors. When the emperor she served died, she had so much power she became the leader. She highly encouraged Buddism as new ideas came to China through the Silk Road.
Trade and the Silk Road
The Silk Road opened China to a new world of diversity. This trade brought knowledge, exchange of ideas, styles of music, gold, art, religion, silk, spices, cultural diffusion, and wealth. The route connected China to Contantinople, Central Asian Cities, Middle East, and Baghdad. The government was very accepting of diversity and looked over relgions to deicde if they would promote it. Buddism was the most popular religion brought to China. Although Confucianism was still the philosophy used in the government, which all government officials listened to even though Buddism was promoted.
Civil Service Examination
The Civil Service exams became more important. The people who passed the hardest and highest test were called "jinshi" and were at the top in society. These exams were based on meritocracy, which gave people jobs/promotions based on inteligence and skill, instead of nepotism. Although relations were still important to be "jinshi" because you had to have a lot of money to get tutors and books.
Inventions
- Printing Press
- Clock
- Gunpowder
--> These inventions made life easier and gave time to the upper class
- Clock
- Gunpowder
--> These inventions made life easier and gave time to the upper class
Chang'an
Chang'an was the capital city of China which was populated by one million people. It's size could have made it the largest city in the world. It was a well planned city with perfectly intersecting streets. It was the "seed of the government" and was a port of entry for the Silk Road.
Fall of the Tang Dynasty
Corruption in the government and civil service exmans, nobles with too much power, and a weak emperor leads to the fall of the Tang Dynasty. China splits into ten kingdoms and five dynasties until the next dynasty takes control and unifites China. This time period between the dynasties is call the Transition Period.