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Learn about Wu Zhou, the only woman in Chinese history to claim the title of Emperor. Discover her methods to gain power, including ruthlessness and propaganda, and explore the impact of her rule on China.
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Tang and Song China Chapter 12 Section 1
Wu Zhou • Ruled China through her weak husband and sons at first (like Empress Lu of the Han Dynasty) but in 690 A.D. she claimed the title of Emperor herself – the ONLY woman to do so in Chinese History! • Wu also ruled during the conquest of Korea – helping the Tang dynasty rule more territory than any previous dynasty.
History Makers: Wu Zhou Directions: Read Wu Zhou – Ruthless Rise to Power and answer the questions below in your notebook (restate Q). • What does the story about taming the horse reveal about Wu’s character? • Describe two methods Wu used to gain power. • What did Wu do to make it appear she had a right to the throne? Why did she take those steps? • Do you think Wu was a hero or a villain?
1. What does the story about taming the horse reveal about Wu’s character? • The story reveals that Wu had a ruthless character. How do you know? – 3rd tool – a knife to cut the horse’s throat! Examples of Ruthlessness: (pick one to support your answer) She murdered her own baby daughter (the empress was blamed by the emperor Gaozong and sent away. The Emperor then made Wu Zhou his empress in 655. She also may have been involved in her eldest son’s death (mysteriously) & sent 2nd son into exile. When he husband died and another son tried to rule independently – Wu had him thrown off the throne and replaced him with another son!
2. Describe two methods Wu used to gain power. Wu used several methods to gain power: • Ruthlessness: Killing her own daughter and making her husband Gaozong think his 1st wife (the empress) had killed his daughter (& Wu’s). She is then made 1st wife – Empress. • Demanded loyalty: she fired any officials who did not support her. • Shrewd (keen insight): cut taxes, increased aid to the poor, raised loyal government official salaries, and cut wasteful military spending to increase support/popularity.
3. What did Wu do to make it appear she had a right to the throne? Why did she take those steps? • She used “fake news” or propaganda. Ex: Wu had a fake inscription made, faked a Buddhist scripture legitimizing her claim, and perhaps caused faked petitions to be signed. She needed to show the Chinese people that she was destined to rule. WHY? b/c she was breaking the Patriarchal system (power/property passed through males).
Foot binding – “lily foot” • A method of keeping girls feet small by wrapping young girls feet (age ~5-7) with a strip of cloth to prevent the feet from growing (very painful) and creating a “lily foot.” • Practiced in China starting during the Tang Dynasty and lasting into the 20th century. • ONLY done by the upper class, sign of wealth and status BUT crippled the women.
Tang Taizong • First Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, ruled from 626-649 A.D. • Tang and all Chinese Emperors had many wives and concubines but only 1 official wife or 1st wife that would be Empress.
Moveable type • A type of printing where moveable blocks with individual characters could be arranged to create a page of text. Moveable Type invented ~1040 A.D.
Gentry: The powerful upper class of a society Long nails = sign of status
3. How did the Tang dynasty benefit from the accomplishments of the Sui? • The Sui did the hard work that made the people angry but improved the Empire – like centralizing the Government, digging the 1,000 miles of the Grand Canal (improved trade by connecting the Yellow and Yangtze rivers) and rebuilt the Great Wall (improved protection). • These projects COST tons of $$ and lots of labor – the Grand Canal alone cause ½ million peasants to die from the extreme work. • The TANG came to power after a rebellion from the harsh taxes and projects of the Sui – thus the Tang could lower taxes and punishments as the hard job of centralizing the empire was done by the Sui.
4. What steps did the Tang take to restore China’s Bureaucracy? • The key step in restoring the Bureaucracy was in restoring the Examination System which established a capable and intelligent governing class – The Scholar Officials. • Key motivation – you just needed to work hard and be smart enough to pass the exams – you didn’t need to have a noble background. = Opportunity.
5. Describe the urban social classes that emerged during the Tang and Song periods. • The Urban (city) social classes consisted of the following: TOP / Upper Class = Gentry/Scholar Official Middle Class = Merchants / shopkeepers / artisans and minor officials. Lower Class = Laborers, Soldiers, servants. Lowest but Largest Class = peasants.
6. What impact did improvements in transportation have on Tang and Song China? • New Roads and Canals linked regions within China and promoted more unity and spurred internal trade. • New Sailing technology expanded trade and cultural exchange with other nations. Ex: Japan
7. “Gaining power depends on merit, not birth.” Do you agree with this view of China under the Tang and Song? Explain. • Agree – talent and education will find the best person for the job. • Disagree – nobles are best suited for high office (to be in command and give orders) because they will have a good education and are raised in a culture/family where they are expected to be in charge and be obeyed. They will make fewer mistakes because they have experience.
