Restoration of China

Chapter 15 outline I. The restoration of centralized imperial rule in China A. The Sui dynasty (589-618 C.E.) 1. After the Han dynasty, turmoil lasted for more than 350 years 2. Reunification by Yang Jian in 589 3. The rule of the Sui a. Construction of palaces and granaries; repairing the Great Wall b. Military expeditions in central Asia and Korea c. High taxes and compulsory labor services 4. The Grand Canal integrated economies of north and south 5. The fall of the Sui d. High taxes and forced labor generated hostility among the people e. Military reverses in Korea f. Rebellions broke out in north China beginning in 610 g. Sui Yangdi was assassinated in 618, the end of the dynasty B. The Tang dynasty (618-907 C.E.) 6. Tang Taizong (627-649) h. A rebel leader seized Chang'an and proclaimed a new dynasty, the Tang i. Tang Taizong, the second Tang emperor; ruthless but extremely competent j. era of unusual stability and prosperity 7. Extensive networks of transportation and communications 8. Equal-field system--land allotted according to needs 9. Bureaucracy of merit through civil service exams 10. Foreign relations k. Political theory: China was the Middle Kingdom, or the center of civilization l. Tributary system became diplomatic policy 11. Tang decline m. Casual and careless leadership led to dynastic crisis n. Rebellion of An Lushan in 755 weakened the dynasty o. The Uighurs became de facto rulers p. The equal-field system deteriorated q. A large-scale peasant rebellion led by Huang Chao lasted from 875 to 884 r. Regional military commanders gained power and were beyond control of the emperor s. The last Tang emperor abdicated his throne in 907 C.