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Tang Dynasty
618-907 C.E
AP World History
Peter, Kieran, Martin, Jack
Social hierarchy
Emperor and Imperial Family
Aristocrats- amount of power depended on the emperor, some families supplied
the emperor
Bureaucrats- people who passed exams
Eunuchs- Servants in the palace
Peasants- such as farmers and ironworkers
Traders and artisans
Slaves
Women in the Tang Dynasty
Treated better compared to the dynasties before
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Could enter the priesthood and become priestesses
Women closer to power felt the effects of this treatment better than women in
the the common classes
High class courtesans could join in debates that were mainly made up of only
men
Foot bindings started, this increased the social hierarchy gap between men
and women. With club feet women could not work and got weak so men
dominated.
Political situation in the Tang Dynasty
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It was a monarchy that was ruled by a very powerful emperor that was
founded by the Li family in the year 618, it was very similar to that of the
other ancient chinese dynasties.
The dynasty had huge success politically due to reforms and the creation of
the Sui legal code that helped solidify a solid social code where everyone
knew what was expected of them.
Legally the tang dynasty had a system of three basic departments that made
the laws and policies and were administered by the Six Ministries. These
ministries were military, personnel administration, finance, justice, rites and
public works. This system lasted even after the tang dynasty.
The military of the tang dynasty was strong, utilizing the fubing system that
originated in the Western Wei dynasty of China. The system used a local
militia that could be mobilized quickly in times of war and was generally cheap
since the government did not pay upkeep except during longer campaigns.
Golden Age of Chinese Culture
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Chinese poetry reached its zenith during Tang. The openness of the empire brought
foreign elements to literature, and also helped develop different forms of literature.
Art and sculptures, use of “Sancai” or “three colors”, mixing of three pigments to
create a unique color. Buddha statues and “door guardians”.
Religious tolerance in Early Tang, when Islam and Christianity were introduced to
China. Official religion became Buddhism during empress Wu’s rule. Daosim was
still relevant.
During emperor Taizong’s rule, Xuanzang, a Chinese monk, embarked on a
legendary seventeen-year overland pilgrimage to India. His returned to Tang after
received the best Buddhist education in India and brought back around 700
buddhist manuscripts.
Economics in the Tang Dynasty
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Emperor Gaosu decreased agriculture but implemented new land reforms
that would optimize production, improve efficiency and evenly distribute land.
New tools and especially irrigation helped to increase production.
To achieve a surplus of food and revenue governmental staff was reduced
across all regions.
Having a prosperous population meant that more people could pay their tax
to the emperor.
They were big on commerce and set up trade routes internally and with
countries like India. The sold things like jade, tea, porcelain, spices and silk to
provinces and foreigners. This income ensured the population's wealth and
even during war meant those at home would still be prosperous.
The decline of the economy towards the end was caused in part by the
government trying to eliminate Buddhism causing tension between traders.
Also after a long history of trading with foreigners the borders were closed
and no one was allowed in.
Paper receipts.
Interactions
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Many protectorates and tributaries, Kashmir, Nepal, Korea, Champa, etc. These smaller nations
retained their political autonomy but had to present gifts and swore allegiance to Tang for military
protection.
Chang’ an was the metropolis of the time. Attracted by the prosperity of Tang, envoys,
businessmen, scholars, artists and monks from more than 70 countries came to study or to do
business in Tang’s capital. Sinocentric mentality.
Tang unified Korea, where initially the peninsula was divided into Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje. From
644 to 668, Tang emperor Taizong backed up Silla and defeated the unified force of the other
kingdoms. Eventually Korea was unified with help of Tang. And Xinluo became Tang’s most closely
related tributary.
Japanese students and monks, Tang influenced substantially Japanese culture, politic, architecture
and language.
Marriage alliance of princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo of Tubo(Tibet Kingdom), ensure
cordial relation between Tang and Tubo.
Relationship with the Turks in the North: Taizong received the steep title of the Heavenly Kaghan.
Why the Tang Dynasty collapsed
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Natural disasters are a great hindrance to any nation however under the mandate of
heaven when a natural disaster occurs it means the emperor is losing/lost the right
to rule due to the emperor not being morale enough.
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Corruption is terrible as money that should be going towards public funding should
not end up going to fund one’s own personal life and helped played a factor in
destroying the tang dynasty due to it help feeding civil unrest.
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A problem that is associated with monarchies is that the descendants end up
becoming more incompetent as times goes on due to a over luxurious lifestyle and
them forgetting how the people think and end up over-taxing the citizens.
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With these factors combined the mandate of heaven is lost and a new ruler starts to
emerge after a period of civil war that was started when Huang Chao led the
rebellion against the emperor Xizong.
sources
http://totallyhistory.com/tang-dynasty-social-structure/
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/foreign-polices.htm
http://thetangdynasty.org/tang-dynasty-social-structure.html
http://thetangdynasty.org/tang-dynasty-government.html
http://apworldhistory101.com/history-of-china/tang/
http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199920082/obo-9780199920082-0069.xml
http://totallyhistory.com/tang-dynasty-military/
http://thetangdynasty.org/tang-dynasty-economy.html
Photos:
Zhang Xuan - Richard M. Barnhart, Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting, Yale University Press, 2002.