Chinese Dynastic History Blog: Song Dynasty
(Sung Dynasty)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/China_11a.jpgSong Dynasty and its peak of the powerful nation
The Song Dynasty (Chinese: 宋朝; pinyin: Sòng Cháo; Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao) was one of the dynasty in China during 960–1279 CE; it was followed by the Yuan Dynasty ( Song Dynasty was after the Tang Dynasty, 618-907). [1]
Reasons for take-over
The Song Dynasty was rise by the further increase of education which was carried on from the Tang dynasty. This also improved the literature and arts skills for the people. Accordingly to that, people were given their degrees on the amount (years) of education they have. As you can see, that this dynasty period of time there were many intelligent people who have created numerous new ideas which strengthening the government. Meanwhile, they put in newly educated people to higher position rather than military which made them rise much quicker. [2]
Leaders of the civilization
Northern Song:
Zhao Kuangyin (960–976) http://www.geocities.com/kfzhouy/Chron/zhaokuangyin.jpg
In 960, Zhao Kuangyin, a military general, used his army and force the king to abdicate and create a new dynasty called the “Song Dynasty”. He used military (soldier) to united China during the Song Dynasty and consequence with a strong government. He then made himself the Emperor [Emperor Taizu of Song (r. 960–976)]and made this (Northern) Song empire.[1]
Emperor Qinzong (1126–1127)
He is the last emperor of the Northern Song as the Song empire was invaded by the Jin Dynasty.[1]
Southern Song:
Zhao Gou (1127–1162) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/SongGaozong1.jpg
In 1127 Zhao Gou (son of the last emperor of the Northern Song, Zhao Ji) was lucky and escaped Jin’s army while most of them were captured. He then created the Southern Song Dynasty in Nanjing Yingtianfu, but they later on change their capital to Lin’an. [1]
Emperor Bing (1278–1279)
He was the last emperor of the Sourthern Song Dynasty of China. He died in the Battle of Yamen upon the fall of the Song Dynasty. [1]
A leader from another civilization outside of China, but during the same time period
At the time, not only China that has fighting such that to invade other provinces; numerous people are also killing each other to control more land. At the time there are no technology or fast transportations for people to travel very far in a short time so people tend to invade area around them to gain for land. At the time they need more land to expand their kingdom which sometimes force them to takeover other people’s living area.
[6]Meanwhile, in 1066 William the Conqueror invaded England. As a result, Normal controlled England which gave England more interactions with high class people and monarchs around Europe. In consequence, England became one of the most powerful monarchs in Europe which lead to a more modernize governmental system. English language had been changed from then and England become rival with France. [6]
The Battle of Hasting resulted in Norman control of England
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Bayeux_Tapestry_WillelmDux.jpg
Accomplishments
As mentioned, there are many accomplishments done during the Song Dynasty since the emperor promoted education, many people try to make new things. These are some of the famour accomplishments during the time:
Gunpowder warfare was introduced during the Song Dynasty. Gunpowder and bombs help the Song’s military until the dynasty fall in the late 13th century. The “Wuijing Zongyao manuscript of 1044” was a book written by the Song which first tells about how to make gunpowder and bombs. [1]
Catapult for lunching bombs
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Trebuchet1-intransit.jpg
Shen Kuo discovered the north direction using a compass by proving with scientific magnetic field. He then made a theory that climates changed over time. He also discovered the camera obscura which later on was improved for photographing in camera. He also invent instrument to see the stars and recorded their patterns. [1]
Yang Hui and Jia Xian described the Pascal’s Triangle. Yang Hui was the first to use “x” and its negative coefficients in quadratic equations. In addition, he used of the zero symbol instead of using blank spaces. Finally, he came up with the using of the remainders. [1]
Yang jia (1155) made the world oldest terrain map of China and extended to India with great accuracy to the scale of 1:900,000. [1]
The movable type printer was invented by Bi Sheng (990-1051) and was improved by Shen Kuo in 1088. It used the woodblock technique to stamp down the writing. This is useful because more books could be produced by printing, and printed book were cheaper than handwritten copies. [1]
Song Star map done by printing
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Su_Song_Star_Map_1.JPG
One of the social changes was that many people seemed to be wealthier that women labors were not used very much. Women then become the symbol for beauty display. As a result, many females in rich families do foot binding and this was carried on for another hundreds of years. [4]
Fall for Northern Song
Emperor Shen Tsung of the Song Dynasty seemed to consider that educations are more important than military. This decision had resulted in the vital weakness for their military. However, they always tried to make peace with all their enemies by signing treaties with them but they do not last very long. Wang An-shih, the chief minister had made many laws for peace and improvements for the dynasty. Finally after Wang death, new people fought for power. Wang’s laws and ideas were not use which consequence in the fall of the Northern Song. [2]
Bianjing was the capital city of the Song which was located in the northern part and controlled most of inner China. At the end, Northern Song face political corruption, so in 1127, the Northern Song Dynasty was destroyed by the Jin Dynasty. [1]
Fall for Southern Song
The Southern Song was ruled by the Jin Dynasty. Finally, in 1279 the Southern Song Dynasty was attacked by the Yuan Dynasty and lost when they captured Lin’an (capital) resulting the fall of he Song Dynasty [2]. The Mongol invaded the Song Dynasty by using the same type of gunpowder weapons by employing the northern Chinese soldiers to reveal the secrets. [1]
The Southern Song was ruled by the Jin Dynasty. Finally, in 1279 the Southern Song Dynasty was attacked by the Yuan Dynasty and lost when they captured Lin’an (capital) resulting the fall of he Song Dynasty [2]. The Mongol invaded the Song Dynasty by using the same type of gunpowder weapons by employing the northern Chinese soldiers to reveal the secrets. [1]
Biliography:
[1]
From Wikipedia, free encyclopedia “Song Dynasty” This page is last modified 02.40 AM, 9 January 2008 <> 12 January 2008
[2]
Rit Nosotro “The rise and fall of the Sung Dynasty” Last updated:01/12/2008 11:34:42
12 January 2008
[3]
“Sung Dynasty.” Bergen. 14 January. 2004. 12 January 2008
[4]
“Foot Binding.” Yutopian Online. 14 January. 2004.12 January 2008
[5]
Documents “Timeline CA 700-1500” © 1998 Research Foundation of the State University of New York at Binghamton12 January 2008
[6]
From Wikipedia, free encyclopedia “Norman conquest of England” This page was last modified 18:56, 8 January 200812 January 2008
From Wikipedia, free encyclopedia “Song Dynasty” This page is last modified 02.40 AM, 9 January 2008 <> 12 January 2008
[2]
Rit Nosotro “The rise and fall of the Sung Dynasty” Last updated:01/12/2008 11:34:42
[3]
“Sung Dynasty.” Bergen. 14 January. 2004.
[4]
“Foot Binding.” Yutopian Online. 14 January. 2004.
[5]
Documents “Timeline CA 700-1500” © 1998 Research Foundation of the State University of New York at Binghamton
[6]
From Wikipedia, free encyclopedia “Norman conquest of England” This page was last modified 18:56, 8 January 2008
