China: The Axis of the World

Innovations

Gun Powder: During the Tang

Dynasty rule, they made gun
powder by mixing 75 parts
saltpeter with 15 parts of
charcoal and 10 parts of sulfur
accidently.

Math: Kids during these days

were doing poor at their math,
especially fractions, but
thanks to China, they made
fractions at the Medieval Ages
so it is well developed during
these days.

Innovations

Printing Press: They

made the printing press
to copy some of the
scriptures and books to
spread through all of
China.

Paper Money: While

other countries still use
coin currency, China
was already using paper
money, and in fact, she
was the first to use it.

Innovations

Paper making: During

the Song dynasty,
they produced books
for others to read.

Lunar calendar: They

made the Lunar
calendar by
measuring the
phases of the moon,
it was found during
the Ming dynasty.

Innovations

Tea: The Tang Dynasty found

tea during the 7th century.
The Nomads of Tibet and
Mongolia were not able to
get tea since tea leaves
were scarce in that area. As
a matter of fact, the
government during the
Ming and Ching dynasties
manipulate the nomads
when trading with them.

Innovations

Herbal medicine: was

used for symptoms like
insomnia, influenza,
common cold, allergies,
and loss of appetite.
Some ingredients included
in the medicine may
include the following:
ginger, cinnamon, garlic,
chrysanthemum, chai hu
(bupleurum), di huang
(rehmannia), and huang
qi (astragalus).

Major Rulers

Emperor Wen
He was the founder of
the Sui dynasty (581618). He reunified
China in A.D. 589 and
spreads Buddhism.
His dynasty was as
successful and
prosperous as the
Han dynasty.

Major Rulers

Emperor Gaozu
He was the founder of the
Tang dynasty. Actually, he
battled over the power
with the Sui dynasty.
Because of this, his family
were the government. He
also constructed many
palaces.

Major Rulers

Emperor Taizu
He is the founder of the
Song dynasty (960-1279).
He conquered Southern
Tang, Southern Han, Later
Shu, and Jingnan. He ended
the Five Kingdoms and Ten
Dynasties Period (907-960).
He was known for his
military expansions and his
developed agricultural
systems.

Major Rulers

Emperor Taizu of Jin

He was the founder of Jin

dynasty (1115-1234). He
defeated Liao (kingdom in
northern China), but did
not conquer Song. He
established his empire
with his own Jurchen
government, and
reformed agriculture.

Major Rulers

Emperor Shengde (Kublai

Khan)
He is the grandson of Genghis
Khan. He established Yuan
dynasty (1271-1368). He
made his empire made Song,
Jin and Liao empire into one.
Opened trade routes,
repaired roads, tried to
replace Chinese culture with
that of the Mongols.

Major Rulers

Hongwu Emperor of
Ming

He defeated Yuan,
established Ming
(1368-1644). He
reclaimed Mandate of
Heaven, and reformed
many laws that do not
benefit peasants.

Political System

Medieval Aged China was ruled by dynasties. These dynasties

are people who come from the same lineage as the founder of
each dynasty. Because China is so big with very many people,
China needs a strong and centralized government (the Emperor
would be in charge of everything). These governments tend to be
of autocratic style. They enforce their rule ruthlessly and made
massive armies and public labor forces. Taxes were very
important to the rulers, because without them they would lose
power from competing rulers. Prefectures and districts were ruled
by the central government. Professional armies are always
around, but most of the army consists of militia. The governors
and other government officials were expected to be loyal and do
everything as the emperor says, much like the feudalism system
in Europe.

Economic System

Agriculture flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties. Regulated

water systems, tools such as hay cutters and iron harrows were
discovered. In the South, people began to focus on growing only one
crop. This system of agriculture spread quickly throughout China.
Techniques of plowing and fertilizing was improved. The agriculture
industry is really important to Medieval Aged China because it is the
largest economy sector. Handicraft and other industries also had a big
success. Paper money were also introduced around this time, because
the empire is so big that it needs a standardized system of currency.
Printing plates also made it easier for the people to benefit from their
businesses quickly. Commissioners were supposed to get taxes from
the people and send it to the government. The system is well
organized because the rulers were very keen to have more money,
but thanks to them, economies everywhere around the world were
built on (or at least inspired by) the Chinese economical system.

Major Wars

Sui Dynasty: Goguryeo-Sui War

(defeat for Sui), Battle of Hulao
(against Xia forces intending to
conquer China for themselves)
Tang Dynasty: Campaign against Xi
Yu States (western art of China
conquered by Tang), Campaign
against the Western Turks (Shows
strong military capabilities of Tang),
Gorguryeo-Tang War (China finally
annexes Korea)
Song Dynasty: Campaigns by Song
(annexing every Five Kingdoms and
Ten Dynasties State)

Major Wars
(continued)

Jin Dynasty: Mongol-Jin War

(Mongolia annexes China)
Yuan Dynasty: Invasions of
Japan, Burma, Java and
surrounding areas (Mongol
forces repelled), Red Turban
Rebellion (finally overthrowing
Yuan dynasty)
Ming Dynasty: Conquest of Yu
Nan (defeat of final Mongol
forces), various failed
rebellions (An Hua, Ning, etc.),
invasions by Japan and Korea
(failed), Manchu conquest of
China (fall of Ming, rise of
Qing).

Religion

Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are the main

religion that the Chinese believed at the middle
ages. In those days, the scriptures were engraved
in stones and these artifacts can still be found
today. Buddhism arrived in China during the Han
Dynasty, at this time the teachings of Buddhism
was translated to Chinese. After the fall of the Han
Dynasty, Buddhism began to spread to the people.
And, Buddhism also has a relationship with the Silk
road. Than, Confucianism and Taoism began to
develop, especially the Tao language


Thank You

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"Building a Better Middle Ages." The Disney Middle
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"History of Tea: China." N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.
Whipps, By Heather. "How Gunpowder Changed the
World."LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 06 Apr.
2008. Web. 10 Sept. 2015.

References

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References

"The Government of Ancient China." China Knowledge. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2015.
http://www.ancientmilitary.com/ancient-chinagovernment.htm

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http://quatr.us/china/religion/

"China During The Middle Ages (500-1650 C.E)." (n.d.): n. pag.

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