Unit 1: Song China Dynasty

The Basics

This beginning of this period is part of China’s golden age, that lasted from the Tang Dynasty to the Song Dynasty. By the time the period starts, China is the world’s greatest power by far. The dynasties that ruled during this time followed the ideas of Confucianism. This post will focus on mostly it states, it will NOT focus on the silk road(that’s for unit 2)

So What is Confuicanism?

Confucianism was the philosophy that ruled China for more than a thousand years. Confucianism advocates for a hierarchical society, where people are subject to their rulers, women subject to their husbands/fathers, children to their father, etc.Important: Confucianism is continuity throughout Chinese history, and it was the basis of the Chinese state until the 20th century. Additionally, the lack of women’s rights in China is also a continuity due to Confucianism, as it puts women below their husbands or fathers(if unmarried).

Song Dynasty

Song Dynasty(960-1279)-Reunited the Tang dynasty after it split into a bunch of different kingdoms. The Song Dynasty is the dynasty that formed the basis of the Chinese administration for future dynasty’s, the set up a system of 6 departments(personal, finance, rites, army, justice, and public works) that were overseen by the censor department. Important: They created departments to oversee and administer the Empire.

Civil Service Exam

After learning that the Song Dynasty was ruled by administrators(in AP words Bureaucrats), you might be wondering how were these administrators selected. They were selected through a test that tested your knowledge of Confucian texts known as the civil service exam. During the Song Dynasty, you had to pass the civil service exam to become a bureaucrat/work in the government. Important: The test led to the shift of power from the heredity aristocracy(people who were born higher class/noble) to a newly created class of a scholarly elite(or scholar-gentry in AP terms).

New Hierachy in Song Dynasty: