CRAIG JOSEPH

AC1900736

World Civilizations 1 HS150

ASSIGNMENT #8

DATE; November 10, 2021

What changes in political structures, and social and economic life, occurred during the

Sui dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Song dynasty.

Yang Jian, was an ethnic Han Chinese general who seized the opportunity to be emperor

from his base in the Guanzhong and with that, he subsequently unified the north of

China. Coupled with his skills and intelligence and connections, his daughter marrying

the heir of the Northern Zhou dynasty further cemented his chance to become emperor.

After the death of the heir, Jian become regent in 580 CE, and completed the succession

plan by killing all of the Zhou royal family. With the anti-Han policies deleted, the name

of the state was now Han and with that the support of scholars and other nobles and

influencers returned.

With an army of more than a million and a fleet of ships, a proper land and river plan,

and use of misinformation, Emperor Yang Jian went on to conquer the South of China

nine years after becoming Emperor. The Yangtze River helped the five decker ships

move through the land quickly and the soldiers swept through the Chen dynasty.
This victory meant that China was now a single state, with a capital called Chang’an. The

Sui dynasty lasted from 581 to 618CE, and two emperors spanned that time, Emperor

Yang Jian and his son Yangdi. The two reformed the administration of the country, and

made the laws of the land less complex but effective. A system used in Jin dynasty and

Northern and Southern dynasties Kingdoms, called the nine-rank system which was used

to class officials, was replaced by the Imperial Examination. Also, distribution of lands

to help balance or support lowly farmers against those with estates was implemented, and

this helped establish granaries of food. These storages helped when food was low or

when disasters struck. The surplus in food did wonders for the population, as it increased

rapidly. To curtail corruption and nepotism, officials were sent to districts different from

their birth, and their time in office was reduced to four years. These changes would see

for a better future for the Sui dynasty which would be the foundation for the Tang

dynasty.

Expense came from the emperors maintaining three capitals, their own pornographic

palaces and infrastructural projects. Most notable was the construction of a canal which

was used to join the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. The road network was also greatly

improved in that period further interconnecting all of China. Conscripted labor littered

with hardship was used to build the forty meters wide canal.

The decline of the Sui dynasty came after a few ambitious campaigns to expand the

empire, specifically to conquer Goguryeo, Korea. The army was both conscripted and

paid, with numbers ranging from three thousand ships, over one million infantry and

thousands of artilleries. Bad planning resulted in supplies running out, coupled with some

bad weather events. Even with multiple attempts, the final battle at the Salsu river was
conclusive. General Mundok was the army’s genius with the defensive wall being one of

the most important assets. These defeats and loss of man power lead to hard times and

loss of faith in Emperor Yangdi’s empire and with that rebellion ensued, lasting from

613CE to 617CE. After the assassination of Yangdi by Yuwen Huaji in 618CE, the

government’s take over was orchestrated by General Gaozu, the founder of the Tang

dynasty.

Building on the successes of the previous administration, the Tang dynasty would last

even longer compared to the Sui, with more cultural and economical impact. Three

emperors lead this golden reform from 618-907 CE. Many inventions which still benefit

the world today, originated from this period of history in China.

Emperor Gaozu brought about a proper tightening to the slack left about by the previous

dynasty. Tax review prevented over taxation of the peasant and land was properly

parceled. In 624 CE, two years before he was forced to abdicate, he created the Tang

Legal Code. This penal code blended Confucian and Legalist law and is stated to be one

of the greatest achievements of Chinese law. Testament to its greatness, neighboring

nations like Japan and Korea adopted it.

As time progressed, Tang was supported by his son Li-Shimin in resisting the few

crumbs of the Sui rebellion. Li-shimin wanted more stake in policy making and was not

pleased that his brother Li-Jiancheng was named heir to the throne. Using his wit and

military experience, he staged a coup and killed his brothers and forced his father to hand

over rule to him.

Taizong, as he was now known, was met with no resistance in his new role because of the

efficiency he had shown earlier in his servitude, and this brilliance also shone as emperor.
Notably Taizong improved existing policies set out by his father and ushered in diversity

for new and more religions such as Christianity.

In a story with shocking details as if it were from a modern-day soap opera, a new

emperor, rather empress rose to power. Taizong made a young girl Wu Zhao his

concubine because she captivated him. Her beauty so radiant also caught the attention of

the emperor’s son, Prince Li Zhi, with whom she had a romantic relationship. In 649CE,

Li Zhi became emperor after his father died, and brought Wu Zhao back to the temple as

it was custom that concubines were sent to a secluded temple to live out the rest of their

days. The love the new emperor had for his concubine upset some persons of the royal

family, chief among them his wife, Lady Wang. To expunge this opposition, Lady Wang

was framed for a crime. Gaozong died thirty-four years after his father, and Wu Zhao

declared her right to the throne and became Empress Wu Zetian.

The next twenty-one years, the empire was known by the name Zhou and Empress Wu

Zetian focused on bolstering stabilization in the education and agriculture sectors. Further

reform was brought to government and there was also a cohort with the mandate to

inform on possible uprisings in the kingdom.

Emperor Zhongzong took over after his mother died in 705CE, but was killed by his

wife, to make room for her son. In retaliation the murdering wife Lady Wei and her son

were murdered by Empress Wu’s daughter, Princess Taiping. Ruizong as now on the

throne but a sign from the heavens made him, resign to his son Xuanzong.

Emperor Xuangong use the trading from the Silk Road and maritime to secure the

economy, improved infrastructure such as roads and administrative buildings. He also

removed the death penalty and changed the army from conscripted to professionals. He
contributed to the literacy of his kingdom, as he saw to it that many literary works were

produced during his reign, a notable decree was that the Tao teachings should be in every

household. Everything from medical remedies to calendars and encyclopedias were

produced on a large scale. The first clock mechanism was engineered during Xuanzong’s

period of rule, 712-756CE.

Sui Dynasty (2021, October 4) in Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sui_dynasty

Cartwright, Mark (2017, September 22) Sui Dynasty

https://www.worldhistory.org/Sui_Dynasty/

Mark, Emily (2016, February 28) Tang Dynasty

https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/