The Tang Dynasty

Introduction:

The Tang dynasty has started after the collapsed of the Sui dynasty. In this dynasty, it was the "Golden Age" of culture. Many famous poets and painters have lived during this dynasty. The Tang dynasty has developed a booming economics. In China's history, the Tang dynasty was the most progressive and flourishing due to the success of economy and culture. The Tang dynasty has been interrupted by some of the other dynasty as well such as the Zhou dynasty.

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When did the Tang dynasty start?

After the collapsed of the Sui dynasty at 617 AD, the Tang dynasty was established in 618 AD and lasted until 907. But in the year of 690-705, the second Zhou dynasty has taken over by Empress Wu Zetian.

Picture 1: The map of Tang dynasty (green shaded part)<<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_Dynasty>>

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Reason for take-over

Picture 2: Li Yuan with his men in court
<<http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/>>

After the collapsed of the Sui dynasty, the country became chaotic due to Emperor Yang's cruel governing. The rebellions among the peasants started to up rise. In the year of 617, Li Yuan, who was the chief officer, seized the capital with the army and overthrow Emperor Yang. Li Yuan announced Yung You to be the new monarch, but titled himself as the Prime Minister and King of Tang. Emperor Yung You got killed by his chancellor. Li Yuan saw this opportunity, therefore he took over the throne and claimed himself as Emperor Gao Zu. The Tang dynasty has started.

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Leaders of the civilization

There are 24 leaders during this civilization...more like 23 Emperors and 1 Empress. Therefore not all 24 leaders will be mentioning in here, but instead will appointed out the most important and influential.

1. Emperor Gao Zong (Li Yuan) was the first Emperor to start the Tang dynasty during the year of 618-626 AD.

2. Emperor Tai Zong (Li Shimin) was the second Emperor to reign during the Tang dynasty. He was the most successful and gain popularity among the citizens. He has formed the laws and replaced the old laws from the Sui dynasty. There were 500 codes, which all involved crimes and punishments. He reigned in the year of 627-649 AD

Picture 3: Emperor Taizong
<<http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Union/7050/tang.html>>


3. Empress Wu Hou (Wu Zethain) was the only female in Chinese history to rule the country. She has overthrown her two sons and start the Zhou dynasty again. But later she lost control and the next Emperor, Emperor Zhong Zong brought back the Tang dynasty. She ruled from 690-704 AD.

Picture 4: Empress Wu Zethain<<http://www.pocanticohills.org/womenenc/WuZetian.jpg>>


4. Emperor Wu Zong (841-846) was the most famous Emperor in the Chinese history, because he prohibited Buddhisms and people were punished severely.

5. Ai Zong (904-907) was the last Emperor of the Tang dynasty.

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A leader from another civilization

Emperor Uda of Japan was one of the most important monarch in spreading of Buddhisms with in Japan. Japan used to be in conflict with China, but in the year of 894 AD he opened the diplomatic relationship with China. Many Chinese monks have visited China, while Japanese monks also visited China.

Picture5: A part within the Buddhist temple that was built by Emperor Uda <<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Uda>>


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Accomplishments

Technology:

Most of the Technology in the Tang era was developed from the past. Zhang Heng and Ma Jun have invented the first escapement which allowed the clock to be develop. The most famous technology in this era was the wooden printing block. This invention allowed the books to be published and spread to the other people. Most books that used wooden printing block was the Buddhists texts and calenders.

Picture6: Buddhist texts priniting by the word-printing block<http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_Dynasty>


Economy:

Economy in the Tang dynasty was very successful due to the increase of silk trade with another country such as the Arabs and Roman Empire. Many products were being trade such as paper-making, spices, toilet paper and sculpture.In the Tang dynasty, tea was very popular among the higher status.

Picture of Silk <<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chou_Fang_004.jpg>>

Picture of Tang horse<<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_Dynasty>>


Social changes:

The Tang dynasty favored culture such as poetry, visual art and outdoor activities. In the Tang era, women were the most affected in the society. The women's rights were still being ignore. There jobs were to do sewing and house works, but women could become powerful as well by becoming Taoist priestesses and be a courtesans. Being Taoist priestesses allowed women to gain access to religious authority, while being courtesans allowed women to gain respect.

Picture of Tang women<<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chujutu.jpg>>

Government changes:

Confucianism was favored in the Tang era. To join the government, examinations must be taken in order to get select. In the previous dynasty, the examinations were only opened to the higher class people, but in the Tang dynasty the examinations were for everyone. The government also allowed people to record there own documents like a private contact for making a deal. During the first half of Tang dynasty, armies have a very important role since they were used to overthrow the monarch and seized power.

Picture of EmperorXuazong of Tang who got overthrow by military power <<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_Dynasty>>


Current religion or philosophy:

In the Tang dynasty, the religion was Taoism and Confucianisms. But later in the Tang dynasty, Buddhisms started to spread. Buddhisms were the new ideology to everybody and also they part of a new culture. But later, Buddhisms were banned.

Picture of a Buddha that was built during Tang dynasty<<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Buddha_Leshan01.jpg>>

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Reason for fall

The Tang dynasty started to fall in the reign of Emperor Xi Zong (884-874 AD). Many rebellions started to up rise in the country, mostly from peasants. During his reign, many people suffered from starvation due to the weak economy and natural disasters. Emperor Xi Zong ignored the 'cry' of the people. Military took control, this chaos has been continue to the last emperor. Emperor Ai Zong was forced to designate his throne. That was the end of the Tang dynasty.

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Citations:

"Tang Dynasty." Tang Dynasty-Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 12 January 2008. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 14 January 2008. <<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_Dynasty>>


"Tang Dynasty." Tang Dynasty-Emperors. 25 May 1997. Yifan. 15 January 2008. <<http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Union/7050/tang.html>>


"Tang Dynasty, History of China" Tang Dynasty. 1998-2007. Travel China Guide website. 15 January 2008. <<http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/>>