China’s Golden Age
From the years 220 to 589 China was a country which had no ruler or source of government because the last dynasty had split into many rival kingdoms each ruled by military leaders. Finally after many years of political turmoil a man named Yang Jian conquered the south, unified China and created the Sui dynasty. The dynasty didn't last long, just from 589-618, but in that time the leaders of China established a renewed order and also started building the Grand Canal which linked Northern China to Southern China. In 618 a new dynasty arose when a former Sui official overthrew the old government and started the Tang dynasty which lasted for 300 years. Under the Tang dynasty China's borders were advanced farther into Central Asia. Most historians believe that the Tang dynasty was a Golden Age in Chinese history because of the expansion and victories in battle. After the Tang dynasty fell China fell with it into a period of chaos. In fact, the kingdom was split up so much that this period in time is known as The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. This period only lasted 53 years though and then China was reunited for a second time. This time the Song Dynasty took control and ruled for 300 years, from 960-1279.
Achievements
In this Golden Age of Chinese history there were many achievements such as new techniques in irrigation and farming. Farmers learned how to grow new crops such as cotton along with the increased production of tea. Because of the surplus in food, China's population grew from 60 million to 100 million, making it the largest country in the world at that time. The invention of another important resource called porcelain, which was a very thin type of pottery. This invention made trade very important to the Chinese society which led to the very first system of paper money in the 900’s. These growths in economics is why the Song and Tang dynasties were considered a Golden Age in Chinese history.
When speaking of the “Dark Ages” and how dark were they really, the Chinese Golden Age was a light point because of all the cultural achievements and economical growths. Advances in growing crops lead to a large growth in trade and wealth. Another reason why the Dark Ages is a misnomer and actually had many light moments.
From the years 220 to 589 China was a country which had no ruler or source of government because the last dynasty had split into many rival kingdoms each ruled by military leaders. Finally after many years of political turmoil a man named Yang Jian conquered the south, unified China and created the Sui dynasty. The dynasty didn't last long, just from 589-618, but in that time the leaders of China established a renewed order and also started building the Grand Canal which linked Northern China to Southern China. In 618 a new dynasty arose when a former Sui official overthrew the old government and started the Tang dynasty which lasted for 300 years. Under the Tang dynasty China's borders were advanced farther into Central Asia. Most historians believe that the Tang dynasty was a Golden Age in Chinese history because of the expansion and victories in battle. After the Tang dynasty fell China fell with it into a period of chaos. In fact, the kingdom was split up so much that this period in time is known as The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. This period only lasted 53 years though and then China was reunited for a second time. This time the Song Dynasty took control and ruled for 300 years, from 960-1279.
Achievements
In this Golden Age of Chinese history there were many achievements such as new techniques in irrigation and farming. Farmers learned how to grow new crops such as cotton along with the increased production of tea. Because of the surplus in food, China's population grew from 60 million to 100 million, making it the largest country in the world at that time. The invention of another important resource called porcelain, which was a very thin type of pottery. This invention made trade very important to the Chinese society which led to the very first system of paper money in the 900’s. These growths in economics is why the Song and Tang dynasties were considered a Golden Age in Chinese history.
When speaking of the “Dark Ages” and how dark were they really, the Chinese Golden Age was a light point because of all the cultural achievements and economical growths. Advances in growing crops lead to a large growth in trade and wealth. Another reason why the Dark Ages is a misnomer and actually had many light moments.