Liao Dynasty

During the ear of 600-1450, the Sui Dynasty started as a dynasty heavily depended on high taxes and compulsory labor, but changed to a bureaucracy more heavily based on merit, cultural advancement, and epansion in the Tang Dynasty, and then to appointed administration and smaller borders in the Song Dynasty, however throughout this period, the dynasties pushed high taxes on its citizens. The baseline is the Sui Dynasty at the end of its reign circa 600 C.E. During the Sui Dynasty’s reign the government relied heavily on high taxes and compulsory labor. It was demanded of the subjects to build various buildings such as palaces, granaries, and canals. Eventually the dependence on high taxes and forced labor generated hostility. Raids from outside groups like the Tonghun happened faculty, but were eventually defeated. Yangdi’s failed expeditions to Korea against his officials warnings caused mistrust and anger towards the emperor. Eventually multiple revolts occurred within the empire lead my military leaders and Yangdi was murdered, ending the Sui Dynasty. Soon after the fall, one of the rebel leaders, Chang’an, named himself emperor of the new…

under the Song dynasty. The Song dynasty began in 960 and persisted until 1279. During this era, China became the first government in world history to nationally issue banknotes and was the first government in China to establish a permanent-standing navy. The Song dynasty is divided into two distinct periods, Northern and Southern. Following the Song dynasty was the Yuan dynasty, also known as the Great Yuan. This dynasty lasted from 1271 to 1368 and was characterized by Mongol rule. During…

Gold In the ancient Chinese dynasties has been represented in different material. Before the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC- 403BC). Gold often was represented bronze, which was the dominate and widespread material other than iron. Ancient people did not understand so much about gold, and also the limited availability of gold. Precious metal gold was not utilized regularly until a few dynasties later. However, After the Warring States Period (403BC- 221BC). People started to consider in which…

The great wall of china was build so that no intruders can get into China. It was Build During the Ming dynasty which was from 1368-1644. The great wall of China is important because it represented a symbol of China. Around 220 B.C.Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China, ordered that earlier fortifications between states be removed and a number of existing walls along the northern border be joined into a single system that would extend for more than 10,000 li and protect China…

and falls of power. Each fall and rise was typically due to an awful king, war, or chaos: and sometimes it was a product of all three. Egypt excelled in most things to build a powerful empire; government, trading, leadership and a strong sense of religion (or belief in gods). All of these qualities could either build or destroy an empire; in which Egypt experienced both. Egypt tremendously influenced the Chinese way of leadership in relation to the rise and fall type of dynasty. In early Egypt…

Buddhism dominated China in the Tang dynasty, and Confucianism, especially Neo-Confucianism dominated China in the Song dynasty when Aztec believed polytheism. Because of this religious difference, Mesoamerica and China had distinctive social aspects, such as gender equality and the status of merchants. However, there is a similar political phenomenon in political features such as a decline of military skills for religious beliefs. Both Mesoamerica and China became a patriarchal society as…

I selected the Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi) from The Brooklyn Museum’s Collections: Art of Africa. It was difficult to narrow the choice to only one. Each piece had so many eye catching elements. Each piece had its own story to tell and teach us about its history. The Nkisi Nkondi demanded my attention by the aggressive stature and glaring eyes. To fully appreciate this piece we need to learn its history. The Power Figure also known as Nkisi (in-KEE-see) Nkondi (in-CON-dee) came from the Kongo…

Suzanna Blier’s Art and Risk in Ancient Yoruba: Ife History, Power and Identity examines the creation and expression of sculptures and other arts in the ancient city of Ife. The novel provides an interesting lens into the early civilization’s culture by examining the often perplexingly technical sculptures that have intrigued historians for centuries. The first chapter specifically address Blier’s theory that the looming potential of different risks bolstered the quality and technical complexity…

Lasting from 628 to 907 AD, the Tang Dynasty was considered the Golden Age of China. Gaozu was the first emperor of the Tang Dynasty. He came to power after his defeat of the Sui Dynasty. Taizong, the son and the successor of Emperor Gaozu, was considered the greatest emperor in all of China because of his many lasting achievements. His achievements included military reform, creation of law codes, equal-field system, and the establishment of the Silk Road which led to the influx of traders…

Confucianism and the Han Chinese of 1450: Confucian ideology and beliefs played a major role in who the Han Chinese were as a people, specifically in the area of education through the civic examinations. The impact of Confucianism was far reaching with effects displayed in art, literature, social rank, and education. To do this I am going to first provide an insight into the Han Chinese culture as a whole during the Ming Dynasty, including a view point from Europe at the time; then I will…