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Chang ' A Market Prosperity After The An Lushan Rebellion

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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

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