After 400 years of division following the fall of the Later Han (the Three Kingdoms and the Northern and Southern Dynasties), Sui reunified China in 581.
The Period of Division (220–589 CE)
- Three Kingdoms period (Wei・Wu・Shu) → Jin → Northern and Southern Dynasties period (about 170 years of division between north and south)
- Spread of Buddhism: Buddhist temples and cave temples (Dunhuang・Yungang) were built
Sui Unification and Fall
In 589, Emperor Wen reunified China. He established the civil service examination system (officials were selected through examinations).
The second emperor, Emperor Yang: Built the Grand Canal (a waterway of more than 2000km connecting Chang’an and Jiangnan). Failure of expeditions against Goguryeo (Korea) and exhaustion of the people caused by Grand Canal construction → Sui fell in a peasant rebellion in 618.
The Grand Canal was China’s main artery and was also used during the later Tang・Song・Yuan・Ming・and Qing periods.
In 589, Emperor Wen reunified China. He established the civil service examination system (officials were selected through examinations).
The second emperor, Emperor Yang: Built the Grand Canal (a waterway of more than 2000km connecting Chang’an and Jiangnan). Failure of expeditions against Goguryeo (Korea) and exhaustion of the people caused by Grand Canal construction → Sui fell in a peasant rebellion in 618.
The Grand Canal was China’s main artery and was also used during the later Tang・Song・Yuan・Ming・and Qing periods.
Key Points
- Civil service examination system: Appointment of officials through examinations → meritocracy・centralized government
- Grand Canal: Main artery for transportation connecting north and south
- Sui was short-lived (38 years), but its institutional legacy was significant
Practice Questions
- What was the name of the system established by Sui to select officials through examinations?
- What was the name of the large-scale waterway built by Emperor Yang of Sui to connect north and south?
- Give two main reasons why Sui was short-lived and fell.
Answers
- Civil service examinations (civil service examination system)
- Grand Canal
- ①Failure of expeditions against Goguryeo ②Excessive forced labor imposed on the people for construction of the Grand Canal