The Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties saw political stability and economic growth in China between 589 and 1279 CE. The dynasties established centralized governments and bureaucracies that expanded infrastructure like the Grand Canal, boosting agriculture, industry, trade, and urbanization. Chinese culture remained dominant but was influenced by nomadic neighbors and trade along the Silk Road. Gender roles remained largely unchanged, keeping women's status low. Technology advanced in areas like printing, gunpowder, clockwork, and shipbuilding.

1. China -- Sui, Tang, &
Song Dynasties
Sui 589-618
Tang 618-907
Song 960 -1279

2. Background
After the fall of the Han Empire (220 c.e.)
 Northern China was invaded by nomadic
groups (who assimilated Chinese
culture)
 No group in southern China was strong
enough to control the entire region (30
dynasties in about 300 years claimed the
Mandate of Heaven).
 For 350 years, regional rule was the
political reality.

3. Background
By 589, the first
emperor of the Sui
dynasty had
forcefully reunited
northern and
southern China once
again.
The foundations for
the Tang & Song
Dynasties were laid.

6. China during the Sui,
Tang, & Song Dynasties
Sui 589-618
Tang 618-907
Song 960 -1279

7. “A Golden Age”
China during the Tang and Song
dynasties had . . .
political stability (central gov)
economic growth and change
intellectual & artistic achievement

8. Grand Canal

15. Even though there were many changes,
Chinese culture continued have many of
its characteristics from earlier dynasties.
 Confucianism remained a foundation of
society and culture (Daoism too).
 China’s cultural influence on its
neighbors remained strong.
 Strong central government with a
powerful emperor (Mandate of Heaven) &
scholar-bureaucracy (examination
system)

17.  Written language
was separate from
spoken languages
 The social class
structure remained
relatively constant.
 Patriarchy
remained strong for
the majority of the
female population
(remember Ban
Zhao?)

18.  Interaction
with nomads
to the north
(of the Great
Wall)
continued to
influence the
Chinese
political,
economic,
cultural, and
social
structure.

19. CHARACTERISTICS
OF CHINA
DURING THE SUI, TANG, and
SONG DYNASTIES

20. Politics & Government
 The frontiers were stabilized & attempts
at expansion were partially successful.
 Centralized government returned along
with a bureaucracy of trained civil
servants.

21. Agriculture in Tang & Song China
 Agricultural production improved & crop
specialization (cheap transportation)
intensified with improved infrastructure,
iron implements, and printing.
 New crop –Champa rice
 Population Soared
(50-60 million during Tang
Dynasty-soared to 120 million
by 1200)

22. INDUSTRY &
TRADE
China continued to
be a main producer
of . . .
 Silk (though monopoly was lost)
 Porcelain
 Metals
 The most urbanized area in the
world

23. TRADE
 Regional trade
improved due to
improved
infrastructure (canals)
 Indian Ocean trade
increased with Tang
control over coastal
Southern China
 Silk Road trade
increased-military
garrisons along route

25. Finance
Banking and Credit system (flying
money)
Government issued paper money.
Growth of cities led to growth of
industry, trade, and the empires’
economy
Government demanded payment of
taxes in cash, not in kind.

26. Social Classes (continuities)
 Landowners (landed gentry) were at the
top of the social class system.
 Scholar-bureaucrats (scholar gentry) &
military leaders were also in upper-class.
 Merchants and artisans could acquire a
great deal of wealth - but were in the
lower classes.

27. From Ning Lao T'ai-t'ai
 “A girl's beauty and desirability were
counted more by the size of her feet
than by the beauty of her face.
Matchmakers were not asked, 'Is she
beautiful?' but 'How small are her
feet?' A plain face is given by
heaven but poorly bound feet are a
sign of laziness.”

28. Gender Roles
 Women’s status remained low
(despite attempts at reform by
several empresses).
 The Song Period saw women
at a very low social status.
Evidence: Seclusion, lack
of property rights, polygamy
and use of concubines,
exclusion from education, &
FOOTBINDING.

33. Technology and Innovation
 First chain driven mechanism - the clock
(1088)
 Gunpowder
 Paper production and block printing
techniques were invented and then
advanced—moveable type.
 Boat building and navigational
technology was more advanced than the
rest of the world.

34. Other Advancements included:
 Tang and Song China had some of the
largest cities in the world.
 Song Chinese were the first to use
fractions in computations and equations.
 Solar year was accurately measured
 Doctors in Song China compiled and
printed medical texts

35.  In terms of advancements, innovations,
and knowledge, China benefited from
centuries of Chinese scholarship and
technology.
 Influences from other parts of the world
(especially during the Tang period) also
had a considerable effect.