East Asia 2/24

1/29/10 2:01 PM 2/24/10 End of the Han Dynasty Wang Mang regent to a Liu fanmily emperor? Xin 9-25 AD wanted to return things to way they were in the Jyo Dynasty before first emperor and wars Attempted reforms: End slavery Create income tax !0% across board for all professionals fiat currency is murdered in the palace Doast Cults Yellow Turbans Neo-daoism Eunuchs Liu return as puppets 400 Years of Disunity The Three Kingdoms (220-265) ?Romance of the Three Kingdoms? written in 14th century ( much later) based on oral history Cao Cao General Disunity in the North and South Non-Chinese dominate the North (Xianbei and Xiongnu) Han Chinese fighting against Xiongnu (shyong new) In the North of continent Han in the south Sui and Tang Dynasties Sui Dynasty Start to see unification again Sui (589-619) Emperor Yang Known?s as Wendi the ?cultured emperor? Comparison to 1st emperor Grand Canal Tried to expand into Champa (Vietnam) and Koguryo (Korea) Tang Dynasty 618-907 Rouge governor Taizong Empress Wu Started as a compubine until husband (emperor) died Ruled as regent because son was too young to rule political genius poisoned rivals, killed those who disagreed with her promoted self as coming of Matreya Buddha Confucians didn?t like Capital Chang?an Surrounded by walls Only Rome came close to size of Chang?an Urban Center Chinese and those coming in from silk roads Maybe as many as 1.6 million people in Chang?an and surrounding areas Equal Field system Expanded use of Civil Examination System But govt still dominanted by aristocrats Can only take exam if an aristocrat at this time Later anyone can if you can afford it Tang Golden Age of Culture ?Incongruities? a poor Persian a Buddhist disciple not addicted to drink ?Bad Form? to sing love songs in the presence of one?s father or mothers in law ?Vexations? Inability to get rid of a worthless poor relation 1/29/10 2:01 PM 1/29/10 2:01 PM