An Lushan Rebellion: The Tang Dynasty

The Tang and Song dynasties in China existed between 618 to 1279 CE. Throughout this period, there were many developments in art, poetry, and technology. China was highly influential all around the world. It became known as the Golden Age of China. With advances in technology and ideas that could improve the everyday life, a unified government, and a strong economic system, the Tang and Song dynasties became the Golden Age of China.

The definition of a Golden Age is a time of economic, political, technological, and social improvement and advance at a great level. The Tang and Song Dynasties are very important to the history of Chinese civilization. The Tang Era is the most well-known dynasty in Chinese history, mainly because the empire was the largest, richest and most sophisticated state in the world at the time. The Song Era had far-reaching impacts economically, culturally, and socially. During the Song Era, there was major development in urbanization. The Tang and Song Eras are commonly referred to as being the basis of a Golden Age of Chinese civilization because they were two major time periods in which stunning development in China took place.

Following the collapse of the Han Dynasty in 220, China declined into an elongated term of division. China was divided and in a time of war, with a lack of leadership. It was only in the Sui Dynasty (589-618) reunited North and South China as one. The Tang (618-906) and Song (960 - 1279) Dynasties that followed created the “Golden Ages of China”. Although the Tang and Song Dynasties existed in a similar time and had a similar economy, there are also many differences between the influential dynasties such as certain aspects of their society and politics.

The Tang dynasty used a system of equal land allotment to the male population. Tang’s greatest source of income was tax on allotments. Periodic military service was required from all males. This was the basis of Tang’s military. Tang’s political system included comprehensive administration, an official system, a strict legal system, and an equitable imperial examination system. The economy reached an advanced level. Series of reforms were implemented; Juntian Zhi (Land Equalization System), Zuyongdiao System (peasant’s burden was lessened and production efficiency was improved. Farm tools and agriculture technique was improved, and many of the irrigation works were completed). Commercial cites were opened during the Tang dynasty, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Guilin, Hangzhou, Chang’an (currently Xian), and Luoyang (the auxiliary capital). The opening of the Silk Road introduced foreign merchants and ambassadors promoted marine trade. The economy was seriously damaged after the AnShi rebellion. The Juntian Zhi and Zuyongdiao systems were destroyed. This brought about the Double Tax System. This system imposed tax according to wealth and helped resume fiscal revenue. It was also a good example for later tax reforms.

During the years 600-900 A.D. of the Chinese Empire, the Tang Dynasty was in power, and was considered the Golden age of Chinese civilization. The dynasty's second emperor, Taizong, started campaigns to deal with threats from the Nomadic Tribes. Due to these campaigns in the Tarim Basin, the Silk Road was able to stay open, allowing for trade in the Middle East and Europe. This trading society encouraged people from distant countries to come and settle in China. Another advancement affecting trade was the “equal-field system” which not only saw that everyone received proper care, but that all land was being farmed. This was possible by making it that people given land did not have to give it up to the military service, called the “Fubing System”,

The Tang was a very aristocratic society that is known for being the “Golden Age” in Chinese history, with some of the greatest developments in the society occurring, (CD Benn, 2002). The dynasty made the unheard-of move of allowing women to sit for the Imperial examination and serve as government officials, with women enjoying the unprecedented power in politics (CD Benn, 2002). Charles Benn’s book, “China’s Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang dynasty”, is a secondary source in the form of a book, published in 2002. He is a professor studying Chinese history, in particular, the Tang dynasty, and in his publication, details the lives of Chinese people in this dynasty. Women had much more freedom than seen in any dynasty before it and it gave women a voice and saw women with almost as equal rights in society, with women finally being able to enjoy the privilege of education and marriage

There was many dynasties and empires to come about between 200 BCE and 600 CE. One specific dynasty was the Han dynasty. This dynasty was involved in the unification of China. This dynasty was formed by Lia Bang and lasted from 206 BCE to 220 CE, with an interruption phase from 9 CE to 23 CE.The Han dynasty was between decentralized and centralized. Han Wudi was the greatest emperor of this dynasty, who pursued centralization and expansion. There was constant attacks from Xiongnu nomads of C. Asia; however, Han Wudi briefly came to control Xiongnu. Wang Mang, the regent for a two year old emperor, took power himself. He tried to redistribute land, but the wealthier people that did not want to get some of their land taken away assassinated him. In the later Han dynasty, emperors manage with struggles to control resentment. Another succession to come about was the Roman empire. The Roman empire started out as a republic, but soon Julius Caesar Seized Rome in 49 B.C.E. Julius Caesar centralized control but was eventually assassinated in 44 B.C.E. After Julius came Octavian, who ran a monarchy that was disguised as a republic. Octavian continued expansion and integration of the empire. There was an extreme amount of poor people; in fact, one third of the population was in slavery. One of the only things that was attempted was giving them bread and circuses to distract them. There was no policy developed for them. The Roman empire went through many rulers. Although these

    The Sui Dynasty only had a lifespan of two main emperors, Emperor Wen and Emperor Yang. Emperor Wen was a great leader for this empire, but his son was an awful tyrant, and due to this, the empire failed.  Li Yuan, a governor of the Sui and also Emperor Yang’s cousin, rebelled and with the help of his sons and others, was able to overthrow the horrible ruler.  In the end, Li Yuan gained power and established the Tang Dynasty.  He became Emperor Gaozu of Tang in 618 AD. (Ancient China: Sui Dynasty)

The Han dynasty was a golden era for China. It saw the greatest land confiscation of the nation’s history and economic success. In this paper I will be focusing on the structure of the national government, the monopolizing of iron and salt, the Yumen Pass and the Yellow Turban rebellion. Join me as we take a trip back in time to visit a time in Chinas history that is highly revered.

Tang Taizong (627-649) was the second Tang emperor and ruled the Tang Empire at its highest point. He was an zealous and charismatic individual; he even kicked his father out of the throne and killed his two brothers just so he could become the emperor. Taizong’s reign brought about the most eminent period of prosperity and tranquolity in China’s society and helped China become one of the most powerful feudal empires the world has ever seen. His empire covered most of the territory of present day China, Mongolia, Central Asia, Vietnam, and Eastern Kazakhstan.

The Tang Dynasty had a very successful government. They had rightfully placed government officials and good leaders. The Tang Dynasty had good government officials because of the civil service test. It was an exam that people took to determine if they could be placed in government. It was known for its difficulty. It contained questions about Confucianism, his books, and his poems. It also consisted of government based questions, and poetry questions. The higher that you scored on this test, the higher place you can get in government. This promoted the best people and chose people to work in government based on merit. This examination was available to people from all social classes, so it meant that the government was getting the most qualified people for positions.

The Tang Dynasty had its ups and down in government, just like any other Dynasty but most emperors and their government was good. The emperors from the Tang Dynasty helped improve the empire in economy, military, trade, religion and respect for all the people and their religions. The first emperor, who created the Tang Dynasty, was Li Yuan. As he ruled from 618 to 626 he united the empire and respected his people. He respected everyones opinions by lowering the taxes for them and letting everyone bring in their own religion that they believed in. After Li Yuan was Emperor TaiZong, Li Yuan son, ruled from 626-649 and was one of the greatest rulers. TaiZong flourished the Tang Dynasty with good economy and military and even expanded the empire.

Throughout the course of China’s history, many dynasties were established and each would bring about great changes to the empire. The most important dynasty that stood out would be the Han Dynasty, which became one of the great dynasties of Ancient China. It is deemed to be one of the most successful dynasties and played a major role in the advancement of Chinese civilization. During its time, the Han Dynasty brought upon new cultural and technological advancements and experienced many agricultural, social and military advancements, which helped the Chinese progress tremendously.

In Ancient China,Dynasties are like families that rule a civilization for many generations. Once they start to rule China they gain the Mandate Of Heaven. The Mandate Of Heaven is given to rulers that rule China well,but they are consequences because it can be given or taken away through Natural Disasters and a bad economy. In the Dynastic cycle, the Tang and Song Dynasties of ancient China showed similar periods of decline. During the Tang Dynasty the economy flourished and artistries expanded.

Rhoads Murphey describes the history of China history is on the succession of dynasties that ruled it over a period of time until around 1912 when Republic of china was formed before rising to the current People’s Republic of China was formed in 1949. In China, a dynasty was made up of Kings or emperors that came from the same family. They ruled in succession where a king could be inherited by his son or his immediate relatives. Although china’s history is majorly regarded on the basis of dynastic ruling, other small kingdoms were established that ruled different part of china. For example, in 200AD, the fall of great Han dynasty triggered formation of smaller kingdoms all over the china which were later united by a short lived Sui Dynasty that reigned between 580 and 618 AD.