Tang+dynasty

The Tang dynasty expanded the ir territory and received tribute from their conquered regions, which was their source of wealth. The Tang ruled their people through the Ministry of Rites, a group that formalized the exam system of the Confucian bureaucrats. This dynasty was agriculturally based on rice and trade networks in the Indian Ocean and on the Silk Road; they traded silk, porcelain, and other luxury goods. The Tang developed a system called “Flying money,” which served as a banking system to provide credits to traveling merchants. The Chinese continued practicing Confucianism, while Chan Buddhism also arose through the Silk and Indian Ocean trade networks. Empress Wu furthered Buddhism because of the better treatment towards women, although Buddhism lost favoritism after her reign. Confucianism set the standards for social structure, treating women poorly by forcing them to footbind and live secluded lives. The Tang dynasty was the period for revival of poetry through the most famous poet, Li Bo, and a period of invention: the compass, movable type printing press, explosive powders, and an abacus. The Tang wealth also came from the Grand Canal, which connected them to other great civilizations. Following the Tang dynasty came the southern Song, a less successful dynasty than the Tang dynasty.

http://homepages.stmartin.edu/Fac_Staff/rlangill/HIS%20217%20maps/Tang%20dynasty%20map.JPG

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