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T'ANG DYNASTY
The T’ang Dynasty was formed in 618 due to the failed exhibitions to
Korea by the Sui, which had led to conflicts in the north of China. The
T'ang's founder, Li Yuan was a rebel from an aristocratic family (traced
from the Han) that was influential under the Northern Zhou. The T'ang
took some time to become established, in part due to a rebellion in 617
that took several years to succeed with the help of the Turks.
The T’ang administration had continued to use the Sui's form of
governing, including the revival of 'equal field system as part of its
taxation system. This was achieved by providing land to families, and
each person in that family would then be responsible for paying tax.
This system was of taxation in effect became the method of maintaining a
more accurate census. Also, Li Yuan was credited for expanding the
government system to include a new currency.
In 626, one of Li Yuan's sons, Li Shih-min (Tiazong) took the throne
when the Emperor learned that there was a plot to murder him by his
other sons. Li Yuan abdicated in favor of favored son, to live his
remaining years as 'Retired Emperor'.
As the T’ang grew stronger, they sought to extend their borders and push
back the groups who made incursions into their territories. Under
Gaozong's leadership, the T’ang eventually expanded its occupation
through Transoxania, encompassing most of central Asia all the way into
Iran and Manchuria by 665. Additionally, by 676, the T'ang succeeded to
occupy Korea, including Koguryo. These occupations resulted in the
T’ang's hegemonic influence throughout Asia.
In 690, the T'ang's only female Empress, Wu Zhao usurped the throne. She
began by asserting her influence under the rule of Gaozong, Taizong's
heir. Whie Gaozong was ill, she became de facto ruler, and even after
Gaozong's death in 683, one of his sons, Chung Tsung had inherited the
throne, but power still remained under the empress. Chung Tsung was
overthrown and exiled by Wu Zhao, who in 689 became the founder of the
The Zhou (a continuation -or- disruption of the T'ang), which lasted 15
years.
She cultivating an aura of majesty, and declared herself Holy and
Divine Emperor. During what was described in history books as Wu's reign
of terror, she did however open up the examination system, to allow for
more civil servants and ministers, thereby degrading a system to be
filled by eunuchs, peasants, and the like, all under her control. During
this period, Buddhism took precedence over the Daoist and Confucius
schools. With the secret support of the Buddhist clergy to support her
rein, she ordained over 1000 monks, raised some monks to dukedom (and
took a monk as a lover).
Wu Zhao's rule was followed by a T’ang restoration by 710 and golden age
which lasted until 755. The restoration of its armies, government,
trade, and taxing took hold. Poetry became very popular, and while few
new forms of poetry were developed, the existing forms of poetry were
brought to perfection, forging entertainment through opera and other
theatrical productions. Poems or theatre displays were typically heard
in tea houses. To increase its revenue, the T'ang monopolized tea in the
region, providing so-called Tea houses that became commonplace
throughout China. Other items that were monopolized were salt and
alcohol. Of the three monopolies, the salt monopoly was the most
profitable.
It is important to note that The prosperity of the T'ang came through
improved transport on the canals built under the Sui Dynasty, providing a
stronger trade relationship with foreign suppliers and buyers. Another
monopoly on rice produced increased revenue, resulting in population
centers that began to shift to the lower Yangtze basin. Also, jade,
unglazed pottery horses, and glass beads, and other commodities that
were traded/bartered, further strengthened the T'ang's financial chest.
Toward the end of the 9th Century, civil war erupted and the peasants
were gaining a stronghold throughout China, some of which were
successful. However, with so much unrest, by the time Emperor Chao-hsuan
Ti attempted to gain control in 904, the Tartar tribes breached China's
borders, establishing their own dynasties, creating a period better
known as the Civil War of the Five Dynasties.
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