Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty lasted for nearly 300 years, beginning in 618 A.D., China was reunited, and ending in 907 A.D. Their emperor Li Yuan, who later became emperor of Gaozu, had a son named Tang Taizong. Tang Taizong helped form the Dynasty into the largest, richest, and most centralized government of that time. Tang Taizong’s reign as emperor, lasted from 627 A.D to 649 A.D. He formed a very strong central government and perfected the civil service examination. He greatly promoted foreign trade and agriculture. China’s bureaucracy was restored, the population expanded, many technological advances, and achievements in the arts.
In China during this time period, there was a huge social change. The emperor was in control of all military affairs and the scholars of Confucianism would advice the emperor. The scholars were chosen through the civil service examination. Tang divided the civil service examination into two subjects, Changju and Zhiju. Changju formed many subjects for the classes that study Confucianism and Zhiju had no “fixed” subjects and wasn’t held often. This helped bring out the best out of the civil service examination. People had more of an opportunity to strengthen their selves to become officials of their preference. The more talented the person was, the higher the chance to participate in the administration of the empire, so, there was much competition. Non-Chinese even served in the Tang government and both central-Asian merchants and Japanese served as high officials in what is now, Vietnam.
The Silk Road stretched from India to China. Merchants, entertainers, monks, and many diverse people traveled along this trading route to China. Indians influenced China with astronomy, Turkey influenced China with clothing, Persia influenced China with there textile-patterns and metal craft and horses and the religion, Buddhism, came from Central Asia. The Tang Officials were disciplined in Confucianism and thought that Buddhism was a disruption in China.
In China during this time period, there was a huge social change. The emperor was in control of all military affairs and the scholars of Confucianism would advice the emperor. The scholars were chosen through the civil service examination. Tang divided the civil service examination into two subjects, Changju and Zhiju. Changju formed many subjects for the classes that study Confucianism and Zhiju had no “fixed” subjects and wasn’t held often. This helped bring out the best out of the civil service examination. People had more of an opportunity to strengthen their selves to become officials of their preference. The more talented the person was, the higher the chance to participate in the administration of the empire, so, there was much competition. Non-Chinese even served in the Tang government and both central-Asian merchants and Japanese served as high officials in what is now, Vietnam.
The Silk Road stretched from India to China. Merchants, entertainers, monks, and many diverse people traveled along this trading route to China. Indians influenced China with astronomy, Turkey influenced China with clothing, Persia influenced China with there textile-patterns and metal craft and horses and the religion, Buddhism, came from Central Asia. The Tang Officials were disciplined in Confucianism and thought that Buddhism was a disruption in China.
Bibliography: “Tang Dynasty.” (1998-2005) Online. July 22, 2005 “Tang Dynasty.” (1998-2005) Online. July 22, 2005 < http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/> “Tang Dynasty.” (2000-2002) Online. July 22, 2005 “Chinese Cultural Studies: Concise Political History of China” (August 1995) Online. July 22, 2005 “China, Technology and Change.”(August 1995) Online. July 22, 2005