Chapter 8, Lesson1China Reunites
It Matters Because:
Ideas & innovations introduced during the Sui,Tang, & Song dynasties united China aftercenturies & helped it become a powerfulempire.
I. The End of AncientChina
A. Han dynasty ended, AD 220; China had nocentral government for next 300 years
1. China collapsed into separate kingdoms
warlords2. Kingdoms ruled by warlords
3. Nomadic tribes captured N. China
KoreanB. Korean people declared independence from Chineserule
II. The SuiDynasty
WendiA. In 581, general named Wendi declared himselfemperor, reunited China
YangdiB. His son, Yangdi, had successes & failures
1. Tried to regain Korea & failed
Great Wall2. Rebuilt the Great Wall
Grand Canal3. Dug the Grand Canal between the Yellow & YangtzeRivers, united China’s economy
4. Charged high taxes; farmers revolted & killed him
III. The TangDynasty
A. In 618, one of Yangdi’s generals (nameunknown) founded Tang Dynasty
1. Lasted nearly 300 years until 907
2. Rulers restored strong central government
Empress WuB. Empress Wu was only woman in Chinese historyto rule
C. Tang Emperors took control of Tibet & the SilkRoad
1. Turkish nomads eventually gained control of SilkRoad
IV. The SongDynasty
A.Military leaders ruled China nearly 60 years
Song Dynasty1. In 960, an unknown general founded Song Dynasty
2. Enjoyed economic & cultural advancement
B. Faced threats on their borders
1. Especially from nomads in the north
V. Buddhism inChina
Four Noble TruthsA. Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths
1. To live is to suffer
2. Suffering comes from desire
3. To end suffering, end desire
Eightfold Path4. True peace comes from following the Eightfold Path
Right View a. Right View - Know what it true
Right Intention b. Right Intention - Free your mind of evil
Right Speech c. Right Speech - Say nothing that hurts others
Right Action d. Right Action - Work for the good of others
Right Livelihoode. Right Livelihood - Respect life
Right Effortf. Right Effort - Resist Evil
Right Mindfulness g. Right Mindfulness - Control your thoughts
Right Concentrationh. Right Concentration - Practice meditation
B. Came to China from India in the AD 100s
1. Civil war in China led many to accept Buddhism as apath to comfort
C. Buddhist monks opened schools, medicalcenters
1. Tang rulers feared Buddhism was underminingConfucian tradition, destroyed many temples
D. Spread from China to Korea & eventually Japan
V. Buddhism inChina
VI. ConfucianRevival
A. Confucius taught good government relied onwise leadership
1. Han Dynasty filled government offices with testsbased on Confucian ideas
B. Tang & Song emperors encouraged revival ofConfucianism
1. Emphasized China’s past, honoring family, & goodcitizenship
2. Believed employing educated people in governmentwould benefit all of society