Asian Empires

1. Asian Empires Ch 12

2. Empires of China Section 1

3. Tang Dynasty • Who: Li Yuan; Li Shimin; Chinese & Tang family • What: a dynasty that was formed in China after a revolt that brought back China’s glory by reunifying it • Where: China • When: 618-907 • Why: this dynasty restored China’s earlier glory; carried the empire to new heights, conquered some of central Asia = expanded China; rebuilt bureaucracy & enlarged the civil service system; eventually lost territ. & there was corruption & famine = downfall

4. Tang Taizong • Who: founder of the Tang dynasty; ruler of China (Li Shimin) • What: a brilliant general, government reformer, Historian • Where: China • When: 618- • Why: he became China’s most admired emperor; revolted from his father to est. new dynasty; Tang rulers carried the empire & built China to new heights; conquered territories= expanded china = China had more power; founded Tang dynasty = imp dynasty in China

5. Tributary States • Who: Chinese emperors & people • What: independent state that has to acknowledge the supremacy of another state & pay tribute to its’ ruler • Where: Asia • When: 220-618 • Why: Tibet, Korea, & Vietnam were self-ruling & governing however they had to acknowledge Chinese supremacy in the region of Asia; they had to send regular tribute ($$) to the Tang Empire; kept China in power & # 1

6. Land Reform • Who: Chinese Tang Emperors • What: broke up large agricultural holdings & redistributed land to the peasants; a policy that the Tang dynasty had • Where: China • When: 618 • Why: this policy strengthened the central government by weakening the power of large land owners= increased government revenues; Tang emperors more powerful; peasants now could own land & would be able to pay taxes

7. Tang (workbook) • Tang Taizong founded the dynasty by overthrowing his father & starting new • Land Reform= increased gov’t revenues, made central power more powerful • Rebuilt the bureaucracy • Developed a flexible new law code • Enlarged the civil service system • Set up schools to prepare males for civil service exams = could get govt jobs • Conquered centralAsia = more land = more power

8. Tang Dynasty (workbook) • Tang Taizong founds the dynasty • Reinstated a powerful bureaucracy & centralized government • Created a new law code = helped to strengthen the govt • Instituted the land reform system=took power away from nobles & gave to emperor • Set up schools to educate the men for Civil Service exams = become Civil service workers= merit based for the 1st time • Conquered Central Asia = expanded land = more pwer • Decline due to corruption, famine, & losing territ

9. Song Dynasty • Who: Zhao Kuangyin, scholarly general, Song Chinese • What: a dynasty that ruled China for 319 years after the Tang but controlled less territ • Where: China • When: 960-1200s • Why: they faced constant threat of invaders from the North; during the Song period- great time of achievement= Chinese econ expanded b.c. improved farming methods & open border policy; the Grand Canal reached its peak during this time; foreign trade flourished= govt issued paper money (didn’t exist anywhere else!) ; well ordered society- gentry & peasants

10. Gentry • Who: scholars & officials • What: a wealthy landowning class of people • Where: China • When: 960-1200s • Why: they could afford to spend years studying the Confucian classics in order to pass the civil service exams & get govt positions; when not in govt positions they served in provinces as allies to the emperors

11. Dowry