Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty (581-618 C.E.)
Paola Macias
Pre-IB World History
Period 3
2/10/12
China is known for its diversity of dynasties which occur within history. Although China’s dynasties do not last forever, many of them have presented impressive advances in government, military, agriculture and economy. However, one dynasty in particular, the Sui Dynasty, remarks its significance with its accomplishments within such a short period of time.
By the end of China’s northern and southern dynasties (386-589 C.E.), the nation was left unified. In 581, Yang Jian, a prime minister of northern Zhou Dynasty, replaced the dynasty with Sui and appointed himself Emperor Wen. Therefore, Yang Jian’s replacement marked the beginning of the Sui Dynasty. Many historians and students claim that the Sui Dynasty was not a significant dynasty due to only lasting a brief thirty-eight years. Nevertheless, the new dynasty is rather extraordinary.
Soon after the Sui Dynasty was founded, eight years later, the Sui court defeated the remaining southern dynasty of Chen and finally reunited the whole nation for once. This was not however the end of their actions. The Sui Dynasty developed a unique political system which executed organization within the citizens. Three Departments and Six Ministries were created; the first ever in Chinese history. The Three Departments could be compared to the division of the United States government with the separation of the executive, legislative and judicial powers (Chinese Sui Dynasty). Such departments are known as the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Department of State Affairs or the Zhongshu Sheng, Menxia Sheng and Shangshu Sheng. To illustrate, the job of Zhongshu Sheng is “transmitting the emperor 's intention, overseeing confidential files, and issuing government orders.” according to travelchinaguide.com. Meanwhile, the Menxia Sheng choose whether to keep or veto orders and Shangshu Sheng carried out orders from the previous
Paola Macias
Pre-IB World History
Period 3
2/10/12
China is known for its diversity of dynasties which occur within history. Although China’s dynasties do not last forever, many of them have presented impressive advances in government, military, agriculture and economy. However, one dynasty in particular, the Sui Dynasty, remarks its significance with its accomplishments within such a short period of time.
By the end of China’s northern and southern dynasties (386-589 C.E.), the nation was left unified. In 581, Yang Jian, a prime minister of northern Zhou Dynasty, replaced the dynasty with Sui and appointed himself Emperor Wen. Therefore, Yang Jian’s replacement marked the beginning of the Sui Dynasty. Many historians and students claim that the Sui Dynasty was not a significant dynasty due to only lasting a brief thirty-eight years. Nevertheless, the new dynasty is rather extraordinary.
Soon after the Sui Dynasty was founded, eight years later, the Sui court defeated the remaining southern dynasty of Chen and finally reunited the whole nation for once. This was not however the end of their actions. The Sui Dynasty developed a unique political system which executed organization within the citizens. Three Departments and Six Ministries were created; the first ever in Chinese history. The Three Departments could be compared to the division of the United States government with the separation of the executive, legislative and judicial powers (Chinese Sui Dynasty). Such departments are known as the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Department of State Affairs or the Zhongshu Sheng, Menxia Sheng and Shangshu Sheng. To illustrate, the job of Zhongshu Sheng is “transmitting the emperor 's intention, overseeing confidential files, and issuing government orders.” according to travelchinaguide.com. Meanwhile, the Menxia Sheng choose whether to keep or veto orders and Shangshu Sheng carried out orders from the previous
Cited: "Chinese Sui Dynasty" China Travel Guide. China Travel Agency. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/sui/>. Duiker, William J., and Jackson J. Spielvogel. "China Reunified: The Sui, the Tang, and the Song." World History. Fourth ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2004. 256. Print. "Sui Dynasty (581-618)." China Tours. China Tours 360. Web. Feb. 2012. <http://www.chinatour360.com/history/sui-dynasty/>. “Sui Dynasty History." History of China. Www.history-of-china.com. Web. Feb. 2012. <http://www.history-of-china.com/sui-dynasty/three-departments-six-ministries.htm>.