The Tang Dynasty in China -- A Golden Era - 0 views
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The Tang Dynasty, following the Sui and preceding the Song Dynasty, was a golden age that lasted from A.D. 618–907. It is considered the high point in Chinese civilization.
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Under the rule of the Sui Empire, the people suffered wars, forced labor for massive government construction projects, and high taxes. They eventually rebelled, and the Sui dynasty fell in the year 618.
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The empire prospered under stable rule, with increased wealth, growth of cities, and creation of enduring works of art and literature. It’s believed that Chang’an became the biggest city in the world.
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Li Shimin became Emperor Taizong and reigned for many years. He expanded China’s rule westward; in time, the area claimed by the Tang reached the Caspian Sea.
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Chang'an welcomed traders from Korea, Japan, Syria, Arabia, Iran, and Tibet. Li Shimin also put in place a code of law that became a model for later dynasties and even for other countries, including Japan and Korea.
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This period is considered the height of the Tang Dynasty. Peace and growth continued after Li Shimin’s death in 649.
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a powerful general named Li Yuan defeated his rivals; captured the capital city, Chang’an (modern-day Xi'an); and named himself emperor of the Tang Dynasty empire. He created an efficient bureaucracy
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Also in the mid-750s, the Arabs attacked from the west, defeating a Tang army and gaining control of western Tang lands along with the western Silk Road route. Then the Tibetan empire attacked, taking a large northern area of China and capturing Chang’an in 763.
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Although Chang’an was recaptured, these wars and land losses left the Tang Dynasty weakened and less able to maintain order throughout China.
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One result was the emergence of a merchant class, which grew more powerful due to weakening of the government’s control of industry and trade. Ships loaded with merchandise to trade sailed as far as Africa and Arabia. But this did not help to strengthen the Tang government.
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During the Tang Dynasty’s last 100 years, widespread famine and natural disasters, including massive floods and severe drought, led to the deaths of millions and added to the empire’s decline.
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The Tang Dynasty had a major influence on the culture of Asia. This was particularly true in Japan and Korea, which adopted many of the dynasty’s religious, philosophical, architectural, fashion, and literary styles.