Fix the mistake: The Prosperity of the Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties

Song Society and Economy

The Song (960–1279), founded by Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu) in 960, boasted prosperity at the forefront of the world in economic and cultural fields, even though it was militarily pressured by northern peoples.

The Civil Service Examination and the Rise of the Scholar-Officials

The Song adopted a policy of civil government that emphasized civil officials (shidafu) rather than military men. The civil service examination was greatly expanded, the number of successful candidates increased sharply compared with the Tang period, and the examination was opened more widely to commoners.

  • Three stages of the civil service examination: Regional Examination → Provincial Examination → Palace Examination (personally administered by the emperor)
  • Shidafu: The class of civil officials and intellectuals made up of successful examination candidates. Poetry, prose, calligraphy, painting, and learning were regarded as cultured accomplishments
  • A system in which civil officials controlled the authority of military commanders → one cause of military weakness
The Commercial Revolution of the Song
・Agriculture: The spread of Champa rice, an early-ripening variety from Vietnam, made double-cropping possible and increased productivity
・Urban development: Huge commercial cities with populations exceeding one million developed in Kaifeng (the capital of the Northern Song) and Lin'an (the capital of the Southern Song). Night markets also appeared
・Jiaozi: The world's first paper currency, created in the Sichuan region. It later developed into huizi, issued by the government
・Maritime trade: Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and Mingzhou became international trading ports, and trade with Southeast Asia and Arabia flourished
・Guilds: Associations of people in the same occupation formed, organizing commerce and industry

Relations with Northern Peoples

The Northern Song made the Chanyuan Treaty (1004) with the northern Liao (Khitan people) and maintained peace by presenting silk and silver every year. When Liao was destroyed by Jin, ruled by the Jurchen, in the 12th century, Jin moved south and destroyed the Northern Song (1127). Members of the imperial family fled south and established the Southern Song (capital: Lin'an).

Practice

  1. State the name of the world's first paper currency created during the Song period.
  2. What was the name of the class of civil officials and intellectuals who passed the civil service examination and were favored by the Song under its policy of civil government?
  3. State the name of the treaty concluded by the Northern Song to maintain peace with the northern people (Liao).

歴史（中国周辺）: related lessons