Chang’an’s Delusive Market Prosperity After the An Lushan Rebellion
Will Li
INTRO:
• Interesting point: if look at Chang’an map (made by Lewis), think economy is good after rebellion since more lodging, shops more spread out, and even less pleasure houses in Chang’an
• BUT there’s a reason why majority saw beginning of Tang more prosperous than in later half after rebellion (even though economy boomed in cities)
• Time of peace, surplus, strong regulation over ppl
• Rebellion aftermath = time of chaos, less regulation, scarcity
• after rebellion, less gov solidity/control and poor actions in mitigating economic problems
• An Lushan (Sogdian) favored by emperor: was appointed a high rank official, govenor of 3 defence forces in NE, dubbed prince. Rebelled in 755 after hearing that a chief minister was trying to remove him from power and was scared to lose emperor’s favor and status imposed on him. (10)
• Conquered Chang’an
• Seized control over Grand Canal and cut off funds/supplies to imperial court from south
Thesis: Although the government’s relaxed government control over commercial activities in Chang’an created an economic boom after the An Lushan Rebellion, frantic government regulations afterwards resulted in other ways of financial suffering that outweighs the perceived prosperity in the markets. The poor administration of market registrations, land tax, and the salt monopoly underlie Chang’an’s supposed prosperous market.
Before the An Lushan rebellion, the
Spence gives a reader a clear insight in T'an-ch'eng's economy and it's economic policies in chapter two, The Land. T'an-ch'eng government had a rather simple philosophy, the more you made the more you paid. The taxes were paid based on percentage of what you made or volunteer to work for the government. The government did take interest in its taxpayers only then people were unable to pay at all. Local History showed that there was a schedule of nine tax payments. People paid more during the harvest seasons and less during the hottest midsummer months. Structured Chinese government devised a responsible and supervisory system, which insured that the taxes were collected at full without any spillovers. Theft and cheating was a common occurrence at city's market, thus government officials created collecting points for the farmers to avoid direct contact with middlemen. All of the factors presented by Spence give the reader a closer look on the financial struggle of an ordinary seventeenth century farmer.
China’s population was growing rapidly, almost doubling between 750 and 1100. Because of this huge population boom, paper money was established, and the trade industry grew. There were many advances that were made, such as technological improvements
Both the Tang and Song Dynasties had very successful economies. The Silk Roads were reopened and restored during the Tang Dynasty. These were essential trade routes that opened a network of
China has changed in certain ways and remained the same in others from the early Golden Ages to the late 1900s. China has experienced a series of cultural and political transformations, shaping the lives of many Chinese citizens. Culturally, the country’s art and literature hardly changed for almost eight hundred years. Along with their culture, China remained politically the same from the beginning of the Golden Ages all the way until the 1800s. On the other hand, China’s government and society were restructured after new leaders took over. From a monarch to total communism, China’s society had a multitude of new ideas and policies they had to adapt to.
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.
By 1839, war was imminent. The opium trade had caused the reversal of the silver deficit, now putting an economic strain on China, while Britain’s economy flourished from the profit they were making off the drug. Because it was being illegally imported, all of the money was going directly to Britain instead of to the Chinese government in the form of taxes. This caused a severe economic decline in China as unemployment rose, agriculture declined, and funding for public improvements diminished.
a. The population of China approximately doubled between the start of the Ming dynasty in 1368 and its collapse and replacement by the Manchus in 1415 in North China . This population increase, along with a reduction in government regulation, led to China’s Commercial Revolution, which lasted from 1500 and 1800. Economic advances during this
a. The population of China approximately doubled between the start of the Ming dynasty in 1368 and its collapse and replacement by the Manchus in 1644 . This population increase, along with a reduction in government regulation, led to China’s 3rd Commercial Revolution, which lasted from 1500 and 1800. Economic advances during this time, which extended into the Qing era,
It called for huge communes in rural areas, which ended private property in the countryside. The Liang family experienced this both by the hunger they felt while still in Changsha, and later on when they joined the countryside.
1. Why are the centuries of the Tang and song dynasties in China sometimes referred to as a “golden age”?
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.
Despite a lack of people as a result of the plague, Judge Dee frequently encounters evidence of affluent lifestyles and prosperity in Tang Dynasty’s capital city Chang’an. Upon the establishment of the Tang Empire, Emperor Tang Taizong contributed to the ultimate success of his dynasty by controlling the influence of elite families and officials. In an analysis of the Tang Period, Paul Ropp wrote, “To curb the power of the aristocratic families of the south, the Sui rulers had forced leading southern families to move to… Chang’an...” Throughout much of the era, officials could not hold positions within their home provinces. As a result, the population of cities such as Chang’an suddenly surged. Mr. Hoo comments on the populace upswing while questioned by Dee. “This place was made into the imperial capital, soon
There was also resistance from the lower classes. Led by Deng Maoqi, in Fujian during 1448-1449.
In china there has been no central rule in China for 70 years until the Song Dynasty created in 960. Things started to change in China, for example, the government started to aid the poor a lot more than what they have in the past. They were getting this money from the newly introduced income tax. This made a lot of people happy and everyone started to have more patriotism and pride. This pride gave the government a feel of legitimacy. Some of the major things the government is paying for is the roads, food, and education. Pottery at this time helps out the economy in China, because the pottery is so advanced that it was being exported for good money and it also led more people to come to China. Even though China was number one in the world for many things like technology and a sophisticated culture they were weak military wise (Holcombe p.127).
This particular social class comprised of shopkeepers, bankers, sellers and traders. They lived in towns and provided goods and services to the landowners. They were not allowed to carry weapons. The superior members of the Chinese hierarchy believed that the government officials must not be concerned with money. So, they didn’t allow the merchant class to opt for the government