The Sui, The Tang and The Song Dynasty

The Sui, The Tang, and The Song Dynasty

The Sui dynasty

The Sui dynasty ruled from 561 to 618 AD. One of the main changes was reforming taxation to include three parts: tax on textiles, grain, and other materials and tax on military service or corvée labour. Peasants were required to serve as soldiers or provide labour in state projects such as the great Imperial Canal. Every taxable male had to pay a land grant, and once a male turned 60 years old, the government took part of their land while the rest could be passed to their heirs (Xiong, 2018). The Sui Court defeated Chen, who was the last of the Southern Dynasties, in 589, and the whole nation was unified, creating a peaceful and stable society and encouraging political and economic development. The Zutiao and Juntian systems used during the Sui dynasty created an equal distribution of farmland and moderated tax rates, thus increasing fiscal revenue. The Grand Canal facilitated the exchange of culture, goods, and services between the northern and southern regions. There was also a significant change in the political structures by introducing a new political system with three departments and six ministries. The system enhanced royal power, and the work sector in the court became more comprehensive (Xiong, 2018). The number of counties was reduced, and local officials were integrated into the bureaucratic pattern, resulting in a more standardized civil service. Another major change was the introduction of the Imperial Examination System, which required all government officials to pass an examination to ensure that only the brightest and best officials held government positions.

Do you need help with your assignment ? Get in touch with us. We undertake to provide you with excellent service.

 The Tang dynasty

The Tang dynasty took over after the collapse of the Sui Dynasty. Their rule was characterized by a period of stability and progress in the first half, the decline of central authority, and a Lushan Rebellion in the second half. The government officials were recruited through recommendations to the office and standardized examinations. Vast reforms and construction projects were undertaken to combine the newly unified state with long-term influences that extended past the short dynastic reign (Cole, 2016). The land was divided between large landowners and those who did not have any, allowing the people to have property and some power. When peasants became too old to work, they either transferred their land to the original owner’s working children or other able-working peasants. The neo-Confucianism philosophy was revived, and it is an ethical, moral, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy founded on Confucianism. The Tang dynasty rule also created various programs to establish improvements in land distribution, trade, and taxation (Cole, 2016). Trade was expanded by exploring and sailing to many other large civilizations and cities. The main change in the social structure during the Tang dynasty was the establishment of eight social classes.

The emperor and his family were considered to be the most powerful in the social hierarchy. After the emperor and his family, the second class in the social hierarchy was the aristocracy. The third class was bureaucracy, which was divided into two separate levels: the honour of scholars and the functionaries. The fourth class was the eunuchs, which included servants serving the emperor in his palace. The fifth class was the clergy, who were above the peasants, artisans, and traders. The lowest social structure was slaves. According to Cole (2016), the dynasty used laws to ensure that every social class behaved in a way that benefited their station. The laws included what every group was allowed to own and wear. The Tang dynasty was also characterized by more respect for women. They were allowed to take religious orders and become religious leaders. However, this privilege was only awarded to women close to and in large cities.

The Song dynasty

The Song dynasty included the Southern Song, which lasted between 1126 and 1279 A. D, and the Northern Song, which lasted between 960 and 1126 A.D. The Song dynasty was characterized by cultural achievement and economic development. Its government was also organized, with the gentry in charge of governing at the local level (Michaelson & Von Mirbach, 2003). New classes were formed due to the prevalence of education and printing. Cities were converted into trade, e-commerce, and industrial centers, thus allowing other avenues to obtain prestige and wealth. The Song dynasty also replaced Buddhism with Neo-Confucianism. The era also included advances in weapons development and shipbuilding. Both the Northern and Southern Song were ruled by rulers who dwelled on the success of their predecessors and attempted to improve and allow their empires to flourish. Technology was embraced in agriculture, and the division of labor became more detailed, promoting the advancement of handicraft technology (Michaelson & Von Mirbach, 2003). One of the major economic developments during the Song dynasty rule was the introduction of paper currency. Besides improving the economy, the Song dynasty rule also focused on improving the political structure by using an autocratic government structure that allowed generals to challenge the emperor’s power. The social structure was characterized by organized social classes divided into the peasants and the gentry. The gentry included land-owning families and was often closely tied to education, while peasants were landowners.

References

Cole, A. (2016). Chan “Dialogues” from the Tang dynasty. Patriarchs on Paper. https://doi.org/10.1525/california/9780520284067.003.0008

Michaelson, C., & Von Mirbach, H. (2003). Song [Sung] dynasty. Oxford Art Online. https://doi.org/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t079755

Xiong, V. C. (2018). The Sui dynasty. Routledge Handbook of Imperial Chinese History, 110-125. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315726878-11

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

---

What major changes in political structures and social and economic life occurred during each of the following?

1. The Sui dynasty
2. The Tang dynasty
3. The Song dynasty

(Refer to chapter 14 of your textbook and additional references.)