Song Dynasty, 960-1279 AD

This is simply a painting of the Song Dynasty.

Map of the Song Dynasty

Technology/Economy

The Song Dynasty invented numerous new things that definitely influenced civilization today. However, the three most influential inventions were gunpowder, movable printing types, and the compass. Gunpowder was invented in 1040 and utilized for fireworks, weaponry and mining. Gunpowder was extremely significant as it would prove as an advantage when countries fight in war. Movable printing types made a vast impact as it contributed to the spread of knowledge, literature and thought. Created by Bi Sheng in 1041, this invention composed of clay, and later, from wood. Books became cheaper, and because of that, the first private libraries were established in China. The compass was invented by Shen Kua around 200 AD. Chinese people became experts at sea. It consisted of magnetic pieces of metal and a thin needle.

This picture illustrates an early compass invented by the Chinese people during the Song Dynasty. The compasses utilized today are dissimilar, but the compass idea originated from the Chinese people.

This is an idea of what gunpowder looked like at that time. Nowadays, gunpowder is not very usable as new technology was invented.

Chinese economy kept the Song Dynasty strong. Because of trade, rice cultivation and paper money, there was a dramatic increase in China’s economy. The introduction of new strains increased rice yields. Rice was a staple food in China during this time because it had the ability to yield more nutrition than any other grain per land unit. With the dramatic increase of population, from 60 million to 100 million by 1127, people depended on rice as a source of food. Ocean trade from Quanzhou and other ports facilitated China economy wise. China had the ability to trade with major ports in South and Southeast Asia, as well as Japan. The world’s first paper money was invented in 960 and was called the Banknote. These notes were composed of mulberry bark. Paper money assisted China in trade. People desired to collect them, and the notes were light in weight.

The picture above illustrates Jiaozi, which is the earliest bank note in the world.

Manufacturing was also part of the economic growth in China. Textiles and silk were employed to appease the neighboring states. One of the Song Dynasty’s major exports, silk was and still is comfortable and engendered elegance of aristocrats. Silk was utilized for calligraphies and paintings. Because China manufactured large amounts of fabric, it was crucial to construct spinning wheels. The invention of water driven spinning wheels allowed factories to produce large amounts of fabric. Ceramics played a vital role in China’s economy. Today, the term “china” is known as dinnerware in English. Creative techniques such as painting, carving, stamping and molding assisted China in trade. Iron and steel production allowed the Chinese people to develop agricultural tools. Chains were also developed and utilized for suspension bridges. Steel tips of arrows were more effective in killing animals. Because of the iron and steel industries, China managed to become the world leaders of ship building. Tight water compartments and rudders were constructed.

This image is a spinning wheel, composed of wood. It was utilized to speed up the process of making fabrics.

The second image is an example of silk and embroidery in China.

Social Changes

The status system in China completely altered during the Song Dynasty. Women were capable of gaining property, controlling family budgets, and inheriting from their families. People believed the Song Dynasty was the age of discovery of childhood, because literature and art suggested it. Another social change was the status of military men, because Song rulers were determined to keep power for themselves. Officials were not capable of controlling the civil and military services. The new technology facilitated the military as well. The Civil Service Examinations were another social change during the Song Dynasty reign. The examinations were considered as the natural “ladder of success”. The exam questions were based on Confucianism, as people were strongly influenced by Confucius.

This image is simply a portrait of a woman during the Song Dynasty. Women possessed power and altered the status system.

Government

Initially, the government in the Song Dynasty was very weak. However, later on, districts during the Song Dynasty were directly controlled by the central bureaucracy government. Military governors and their supporters were replaced by appointed officials. These officials constructed a strict code of conduct to prevent corruption. The emperor had greater power because of this newly developed civilian system. A political system was created to balance the military and civil officials. The Song Dynasty military did not hold much power, as they repeatedly signed treaties to end war. The military was not powerful because Song rulers desired the power, and gave none to the military officials. In Northern Song, in 1069, a young Song emperor appointed Wang as a chief counselor. Wang had the ability to increase government incomes, decrease spending, and strengthen military forces in China. He realized that the government’s wealth actually came from the peasants, and granted peasants with land reforms, and gave loans to cultivators to help peasants harvest and plant crops. Most of Wang’s plans were adopted by society, but some were not utilized due to bureaucrats, or government employees. People believed that the government should be more limited in society. They stated that the North was lost in 1126 to the Jurchens because of Wang’s reforms. In the South, court leaders were more concerned with restoring peace in the Song Dynasty, and strengthening military defense. Thus, little changed in the government-the bureaucracy remained the same. The government altered only at the end of the Song Dynasty, when the Mongols invaded. It was only then the government had more power in the society and economy.

Wang, the reformer is illustrated in the above picture. He tried to strive for his dreams-to make the Chinese government stronger, but people opposed and criticized him.

Religion/Philosophy

Initially, Buddhism played a vital role in religion in the Song Dynasty. The most influential Buddhist was the Chan. The highest structure in Kaifeng, the capital in Northern Song, was the pagoda, which is like a church or cathedral in Europe. Song Confucians believed in Buddhist teachings and the Tao. Therefore, there was a rise of Neo-Confucianism. Hu Yuan was responsible for the revival of Confucianism. A sector of Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism was developed during the Song Dynasty. Philosophers believed that Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism were the same, and developed the slogan: “The three teachings are one!” Neo Confucianism was a combination of the book, “Tai Ching”, the yin yang symbol, Confucius and Buddha teachings. Countries such as Vietnam, Japan and Korea were deeply influenced intellectually and spiritually by Neo-Confucianism for a very long time. China was influenced by this philosophy for over 800 years. There were two principal schools in China: Lixue (School of Principle), developed by Zhu Xi, and Xinxue (School of Mind), created by Lu Xianshan and Wang Yangming. The most influential Neo-Confucianism philosopher was Zhu Xi. His teachings became a significant ideology in China. He wrote essays explaining his ideas and teachings. He believed that “human nature is originally good, but not pure unless action is taken to purify it”. Neo-Confucians rejected the idea of reincarnation and karma, in contrast to Taoism and Buddhism. Li is something pure and perfect, and Neo Confucianists believed that Li lies somewhere in this world. Followers needed to find Li.

This is an actual pagoda from the Song Dynasty. Pagodas were just like churches and cathedrals in Europe-they were the most visible in the city.

Zhu Xi-the most influential philosopher in China during the Song Dynasty. He strongly believed in Neo-Confucianism.

Leaders/Contemporaries

Emperor Huizong was one of the most famous emperors who ruled during the Song Dynasty. He lived from November 2, 1082 till June 4, 1135. Being the 8^th emperor, Huizong promoted Taoism in China and was one of the emperors that disallowed Buddhism. He had artistic and creative talents-in his personal life, he wrote poems, played music and was a calligrapher and artist. He disliked the army during his reign. This is one reason as to why the Song Dynasty had an extremely weak military. During his reign, the Jin Dynasty kept on attacking Kaifeng, the capital of the Song Dynasty. Finally, they broke the walls of the capital, on January 9, 1127. Emperor Huizong had to abdicate his throne by the Jin on March 20, 1127, and was deported to Northern Manchuria. He spent 8 years of his life as a captive, and anonymously died.

Emperor Huizong was known for his artistic and musical talents. This famous portrait is known as "Listening to the Quin". The term quin can be defined as a Chinese instrument.

Emperor Taizu was the founder of the Song Dynasty. He held power from 960 to 976. He was born on March 21, 927 and died on November 14, 976. In 960, Taizu reunited China. Before he ruled, China was rebelling after the fall of the Tang Dynasty in 907. He conquered every small country except Northern Han. He created the Song Dynasty Ancestry rules for the future emperors. He also made a reform of the examination system, stating that the bureau should favor people who were academically smart, rather than by birth. He developed political institutions which gave people freedom to discuss and think. He made reforms in art and literature. Also, Emperor Taizu developed a Shaolin fighting style, which is known as Tàizǔ Chángquán. This fighting technique is currently utilized today.

Emperor Taizu was the founder of the Song Dynasty. All credits should be given to him as he created the entire dynasty.

William was the Duke of Normandy. He ruled from 1035 till 1087 and was crowned king of England from 1066 till 1087. Also known as William the conqueror, he invaded England, and won a hard fought victory in the Battle of Hastings on September 28, 1066. In early 1066, King Edward died. Determined to be king, William claimed that in 1051 Edwards had promised him the throne. Harold, the future king-to-be, unfortunately had to abdicate from his throne, because William stated that Harold had sworn to support that claim. Once he was king of England, William invaded Scotland in 1072 and Wales in 1081.

There is no clear image of William, but this is what people proposed he looked like. He was a very confident man and fought his way to become king and conquer lands.

Ethelred ruled from March 18, 978 till April 23, 1016. He was crowned as the king of England when he was merely 10 years old, and is also known as Ethelred the Unready. The majority of his reign was during war against the Vikings. Since Sweyn Haraldsson was determined to conquer England, he managed to do so, and King Ethelred abandoned his throne and fled to Normandy, a region located northwest of France. He was buried in Old Saint Paul’s Cathedral.

This portrait of King Ethelred is simply an unclear visual of him. He was known as "Ethelred the Unready" because during his reign, initially, people kept on invading England.

Other

*The Song Dynasty did not rule all of China. The Liao, Western Xia and Jin empires occupied the Northern parts of China. These empires were founded by non-Chinese people, such as the Jurchens and Tanguts. Because these empires had equal amount of power, they were able to create peace with each other.

*The period during the Song Dynasty reign was known as the "Chinese Renaissance" because of its artistry and intellectual achievement.

*High Potency Green Tea was invented during the Song Dynasty. During this time (around 1000 A.D.), there demanding trade for tea in Europe. This special product is medicinal and utilized as a dietary supplement.

This picture depicts a box of Song Dynasty tea. It was very popular during that period and is currently the second most drunk beverage in the world. (Second to water)

*Landscape painting was a specialty during the Song Dynasty. Painters such as Li Cheng and Fan Kuan began to paint images of the ocean view and cliffs.

This image is an example of landscape painting during the Song Dynasty.

Summary

Technology/Economy
People in the Song Dynasty developed new inventions such as paper money, compass and rice cultivation which assisted China into having an extremely powerful economy.

Social Changes
The Song Dynasty had many social changes and reforms, such as the status of women which granted them with more power. Its changes were not only physically, but intellectually as well. Neo-Confucianism deeply altered people’s thoughts.

Government
The governmental system granted scholar officials with more power, and the Song Dynasty, in comparison to any other dynasty, sees emperors as holding the most power.

Religion/Philosophy
The rise of Neo-Confucianism greatly influenced Chinese people for 800 years and spread to other countries such as Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

Leaders/Contemporaries
These leaders made a vast impact in the dynasty, and allowed the Song Dynasty to be economically strong.

Timeline of Events

960: Song Dynasty founded by emperor Sung Taizu.
976 - 1068: Song Empire flourishes with reforms

1040: Gunpowder is invented
1068 - 1076: Wang Anshi prime minister. Reforms that benefit commoners are introduced. Noble and upper classes are angered, force resignation of Wang Anshi in 1076 AD.
1115: Jurchen from the north establish the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234).
1125: Jin invades the Song Empire.
1126: Jin troops capture Kaifeng, capital of the Northern Song, and the two emperors Sung Wei Zong and Qin Zong, bringing the Northern Sung era to an end.
1127: Southern Song Dynasty established by Gao Zong in Nanjing.
1161: First use of explosives in battle.
1206: Genghis Khan leads invasion of Jin Empire.
1233: Song troops, allied with the Mongols, destroy the Jin Empire. .
1260: Kublai Khan succeeds to Mongol throne.
1279: Song Empire is destroyed by the Mongols, in the Battle of Yamen

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