Sui Dynasty Changes
Introduction
This essay provides an overview of the changes that occurred in respect to the political structures, social and economic life during the reign of the Sui, Tang and Song, three of several Chinese dynasties that formed part of the rich and complex 5,000-year history of China.
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty lasted between 581 and 618 and was during that time led by three emperors. The Sui Dynasty was very much comparable to the Qin Dynasty, which lasted between 221 BC and 206 BC. During the Sui Dynasty the nation experienced great unification including various other economic and political advances (Brebner, 2009). The nation had earlier during the Northern and Southern Dynasties been greatly divided following the prolonged period …show more content…
of war. In 589, the Sui court achieved against Chen, the last of the Southern Dynasties setting ground for the unification of the whole nation.
The unification of the nation brought a lot of stability and peace which promoted increased political and economic development. In the early years after the unification, an increase in agricultural acreage was witnessed and this was very instrumental as it led to the growth of crop yield (Fitzgerald, 2006). Increased crop also encouraged growth in trade. Major changes in the skills industry were also witnessed as new advances in shipbuilding technology led to the development of novel designs which made travel even easier.
At this time, commerce in Luoyang was moderately prosperous. Therefore, to grow the national economy, a number of policies were implemented to boost trade. Among the new policies implemented were the Zutiao System, which was focused non tax moderation and the Juntian System focused on equal division of fields (Ball, 2006).
Improvements in communication were also achieved during the Sui Dynasty. A Grand Canal stretching between the north and south was dredged under the leadership of Emperor Yang leading to great improvements in communication between the northern and southern areas. The canal was centered Luoyang, the Grand can extend over 2.5 miles long and since its construction, became the key artery for transportation in the nation, hence playing a crucial role in trade and communication between the northern and southern areas (Ball, 2006).
On the other hand, in the political spheres, there was formed of six ministries and three departments, for the first in Chinese history. Through these ministries and departments, there was an enhanced royal power as well as an increasingly detailed work division in the court (Fitzgerald, 2006; Ball, 2006). In addition, detailed changes in the manner of selecting talent were evident. For instance, the newly formed Imperial examination System replaced the traditional nine ranks of officials – Jiupin Zhongzheng hierarchical system.
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty lasted from 618 to 907 (Ropp, 2010).
During this time, enormous changes occurred and the Dynasty grew tremendously, transforming China into one of the most prosperous and powerful nation in the world. In particular, the military, economy, culture and politics were greatly advanced compared to other eras. The country arose from a dark period towards the end of Sui Dynasty when the country fell into chaos under the tyrannical leadership of Emperor Yang. There was the reopening of the northern Silk Road and the revival of trade. Political wise, the national strength recovered significantly between 627 and 649 (Menpes, 2006). Bureaucracy within the Chinese nation was restored during the era of the Tang Dynasty. Also on education, schools were opened to prepare students for service and this contributed greatly in the promotion of culture as students were taught Confucianism and poetry making this age a Golden age of Chinese literature. Social development, commerce and economy flourished considerably characterized by an increasing social order …show more content…
stability.
A new class of well-to-do individuals – Gentry arose following appointment tom high positions in the highly stable government (Brebner, 2009). Further, corruption practices in the courts ceased as a result of good governance and the national boundaries were opened to foreign nations. The development of Porcelain promoted both culture and trade as it was a valuable export commodity for the nation. The development of block printing and gunpowder, which was initially applied in fireworks and later military promoted trade significantly through export (Ropp, 2010). Economic development persisted until the reign of Wu Zetian who renamed Tang into Zhou Dynasty.
Because of the opening up of the borders of China to other countries, trade and economic growth blossomed very much. Increase in farmland and agriculture in general led to an increase in population and trade activities (Ball, 2006). The improvement in farming of crops such as rice in the wetter and warmer south and barley, wheat and other grains in the north was the basis for the growth observed in Tang Dynasty.
Song Dynasty
Like in the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty was characterized by enormous growth in farming.
It lasted between 960 C.E. To 1279 C.E (Ebrey, 2010). New methods of farming were invented, including new irrigation techniques such as the dragon backbone pump and digging of underground wells. Further, the amount of farmland grew tremendously with wild lands such as those along the Chang Jiang being converted to cultivated lands. There was also the discovery of a new type of fast-ripening rice hence increasing output. New crops such as cotton were also grown while production of others was increased.
The development of mechanical clock operated with the help of running water added to the list of export commodities in China. Another important development to trade and the nation as a whole was the minting of paper currency replacing the bulky metal currency strings common with merchants (Morton & Lewis, 2005). This explains the resulting large scale commercial economy. China was also able to strengthen its sea power through the invention of the magnetic compass. As a result, there a soaring growth of trade routes along Southeast Asia and Pacific Ocean. The Song Dynasty also had various developments in arts and culture, helping to preserve the social and cultural fabric of the society (Menpes, 2006; Ebrey,
2010).
With the growth of civil bureaucracy during the era of the Song Dynasty, an increasing functionalism among officials was witnessed (Fitzgerald, 2006). The epitome of this was evident at the time of Shenzong emperor during which a series of reforms were introduced and implemented by Wang Anshi who was very influential. However, a division ensued due to the perception among Anshi’s contemporaries that the reforms were not based on Confucian principles. Numerous courts purges arose as a result, leading to a paralyses impact on the government.
Conclusion
The Sui, Tang and Song dynasties represent important eras in the 5,000 years history of China. Of the three dynasties, the most rapid and crucial changes in innovation, political structures and production occurred in the Tang and Song dynasties. In all the dynasties, power struggles were evident and these explain the many dynasties making up the history of China. Also, the three dynasties saw an increase in efforts to unify the people as well as the promotion of trade and commercial growth. Confucian principles were applied widely in the three dynasties and had an important influence on the Chinese people’s way of life at large.
This essay provides an overview of the changes that occurred in respect to the political structures, social and economic life during the reign of the Sui, Tang and Song, three of several Chinese dynasties that formed part of the rich and complex 5,000-year history of China.
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty lasted between 581 and 618 and was during that time led by three emperors. The Sui Dynasty was very much comparable to the Qin Dynasty, which lasted between 221 BC and 206 BC. During the Sui Dynasty the nation experienced great unification including various other economic and political advances (Brebner, 2009). The nation had earlier during the Northern and Southern Dynasties been greatly divided following the prolonged period …show more content…
of war. In 589, the Sui court achieved against Chen, the last of the Southern Dynasties setting ground for the unification of the whole nation.
The unification of the nation brought a lot of stability and peace which promoted increased political and economic development. In the early years after the unification, an increase in agricultural acreage was witnessed and this was very instrumental as it led to the growth of crop yield (Fitzgerald, 2006). Increased crop also encouraged growth in trade. Major changes in the skills industry were also witnessed as new advances in shipbuilding technology led to the development of novel designs which made travel even easier.
At this time, commerce in Luoyang was moderately prosperous. Therefore, to grow the national economy, a number of policies were implemented to boost trade. Among the new policies implemented were the Zutiao System, which was focused non tax moderation and the Juntian System focused on equal division of fields (Ball, 2006).
Improvements in communication were also achieved during the Sui Dynasty. A Grand Canal stretching between the north and south was dredged under the leadership of Emperor Yang leading to great improvements in communication between the northern and southern areas. The canal was centered Luoyang, the Grand can extend over 2.5 miles long and since its construction, became the key artery for transportation in the nation, hence playing a crucial role in trade and communication between the northern and southern areas (Ball, 2006).
On the other hand, in the political spheres, there was formed of six ministries and three departments, for the first in Chinese history. Through these ministries and departments, there was an enhanced royal power as well as an increasingly detailed work division in the court (Fitzgerald, 2006; Ball, 2006). In addition, detailed changes in the manner of selecting talent were evident. For instance, the newly formed Imperial examination System replaced the traditional nine ranks of officials – Jiupin Zhongzheng hierarchical system.
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty lasted from 618 to 907 (Ropp, 2010).
During this time, enormous changes occurred and the Dynasty grew tremendously, transforming China into one of the most prosperous and powerful nation in the world. In particular, the military, economy, culture and politics were greatly advanced compared to other eras. The country arose from a dark period towards the end of Sui Dynasty when the country fell into chaos under the tyrannical leadership of Emperor Yang. There was the reopening of the northern Silk Road and the revival of trade. Political wise, the national strength recovered significantly between 627 and 649 (Menpes, 2006). Bureaucracy within the Chinese nation was restored during the era of the Tang Dynasty. Also on education, schools were opened to prepare students for service and this contributed greatly in the promotion of culture as students were taught Confucianism and poetry making this age a Golden age of Chinese literature. Social development, commerce and economy flourished considerably characterized by an increasing social order …show more content…
stability.
A new class of well-to-do individuals – Gentry arose following appointment tom high positions in the highly stable government (Brebner, 2009). Further, corruption practices in the courts ceased as a result of good governance and the national boundaries were opened to foreign nations. The development of Porcelain promoted both culture and trade as it was a valuable export commodity for the nation. The development of block printing and gunpowder, which was initially applied in fireworks and later military promoted trade significantly through export (Ropp, 2010). Economic development persisted until the reign of Wu Zetian who renamed Tang into Zhou Dynasty.
Because of the opening up of the borders of China to other countries, trade and economic growth blossomed very much. Increase in farmland and agriculture in general led to an increase in population and trade activities (Ball, 2006). The improvement in farming of crops such as rice in the wetter and warmer south and barley, wheat and other grains in the north was the basis for the growth observed in Tang Dynasty.
Song Dynasty
Like in the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty was characterized by enormous growth in farming.
It lasted between 960 C.E. To 1279 C.E (Ebrey, 2010). New methods of farming were invented, including new irrigation techniques such as the dragon backbone pump and digging of underground wells. Further, the amount of farmland grew tremendously with wild lands such as those along the Chang Jiang being converted to cultivated lands. There was also the discovery of a new type of fast-ripening rice hence increasing output. New crops such as cotton were also grown while production of others was increased.
The development of mechanical clock operated with the help of running water added to the list of export commodities in China. Another important development to trade and the nation as a whole was the minting of paper currency replacing the bulky metal currency strings common with merchants (Morton & Lewis, 2005). This explains the resulting large scale commercial economy. China was also able to strengthen its sea power through the invention of the magnetic compass. As a result, there a soaring growth of trade routes along Southeast Asia and Pacific Ocean. The Song Dynasty also had various developments in arts and culture, helping to preserve the social and cultural fabric of the society (Menpes, 2006; Ebrey,
2010).
With the growth of civil bureaucracy during the era of the Song Dynasty, an increasing functionalism among officials was witnessed (Fitzgerald, 2006). The epitome of this was evident at the time of Shenzong emperor during which a series of reforms were introduced and implemented by Wang Anshi who was very influential. However, a division ensued due to the perception among Anshi’s contemporaries that the reforms were not based on Confucian principles. Numerous courts purges arose as a result, leading to a paralyses impact on the government.
Conclusion
The Sui, Tang and Song dynasties represent important eras in the 5,000 years history of China. Of the three dynasties, the most rapid and crucial changes in innovation, political structures and production occurred in the Tang and Song dynasties. In all the dynasties, power struggles were evident and these explain the many dynasties making up the history of China. Also, the three dynasties saw an increase in efforts to unify the people as well as the promotion of trade and commercial growth. Confucian principles were applied widely in the three dynasties and had an important influence on the Chinese people’s way of life at large.