From the middle of the 8th century onward, Tang declined because of internal rebellions and external pressure, and fell in 907. China entered another period of division.
An Lushan Rebellion (755–763)
- The frontier military commanders An Lushan and Shi Siming rebelled
- Tang suppressed the rebellion, but centralized government collapsed, and military commanders became independent local powers
- The equal-field system and tax and labor system collapsed, and social unrest increased
The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms and Song Unification
In 907, Zhu Wen, who had suppressed the Huang Chao Rebellion, destroyed Tang. For the next 50 years, China was divided between the Five Dynasties (north) and Ten Kingdoms (south).
In 960, Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu) founded Song and reunified China.
Song adopted civil government rather than military rule. The civil service examinations were expanded, and scholar-officials (shi dafu) became the center of politics.
In 907, Zhu Wen, who had suppressed the Huang Chao Rebellion, destroyed Tang. For the next 50 years, China was divided between the Five Dynasties (north) and Ten Kingdoms (south).
In 960, Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu) founded Song and reunified China.
Song adopted civil government rather than military rule. The civil service examinations were expanded, and scholar-officials (shi dafu) became the center of politics.
Key Points
- An Lushan Rebellion → beginning of the collapse of Tang’s centralized government
- Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960) = period of division
- Song (960–1279) = age of civil government・expanded civil service examinations・and scholar-officials
Practice Questions
- Give the name of the rebellion in 755 that caused Tang’s decline and the name of one of its leaders.
- Give the name and title of the person who founded Song.
- What political policy did Song adopt (emphasizing 〇〇 rather than military affairs)?
Answers
- An Lushan Rebellion, An Lushan (or Shi Siming)
- Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu)
- Civil government (rule by scholar-officials)