8.+Song+Dynasty

THE SONG... Te Song Dynasty is often called the “Chinese Renaissance”, and rightly so. In the short time that the Song’s were in power, they added so much to the culture of China that they are compared to dynnasty’s that span centuries. In fact, many parts of Chinese culture today can in fact be attributed to the Song and their inventions. The Song is an interesting period to study in Chinese history for another reason as well. While the dynasty was in power, China was at peace. After the warlike culture of the Tang Dynasty ended, the peace of the Song was unusual and welcome. In fact the peace and stability of the time are responsible for the cultural explosion that took place. Inventions concerning new ways to use gunpowder, the compass, and printing were in fact all developed during this time. Zhao Kuangyin formed the first Song empire, or North Song, in 960. At first the empire thrived on a unified China (accomplished during the Tang Dynasty), and the relative peace that this offered. Yet by 1100, the empire had become very corrupt, and so when the Jin Dynasty invaded in 1127, they were quickly overcome. Instead of staying to fight, Zhao Gou, the son of the late emperor of the Song Dynasty escaped to their Southern capital, Nanjing, and established the empire once again. Thus began the South Song Dynasty. While still technically under the control of the conquering Jin Dynasty, the Song had quite a lot of freedom, and thus were able to flourish. Every aspect of their society, from agriculture, to economy, to technology, was progressing. In fact, evidence of the first paper money can be dated back to the South Song dynasty. Literature thrived as well, and was able to spread more rapidly with the invention of typography. Works from South Song Dynasty authors such as Zhuxi, Su Shi, and Song Guangzong( also known as Zhao Kuo), are still studied by scholaras today. The importance of culture to the Song dynasty is probably due to people like Zhao Kuo, who, along with leading the empire, were also gifted artists, and encouraged calligraphy, painting, poetry and music. Yet what was one of their most unique features as a dynasty also lead to its dramatic downfall in 1279. Increasingly uninterested in state affairs, the Zhao’s of Song found themselves surrounded by a new, very powerful empire: the Yuan. In 1279, the 8-year old emperor with his Chancellor Lu Xiu, jumped into the ocean and drowned, forever ending the Song Dynasty. While new dynasty came and went across, the short lived reign of the Song was not forgotten. For the next few centuries of Chinese history, Song cultural became ingrained in China, regardless of the dynasty currently in power. In fact, many of China’s inventions, and aspects of their modern culture, can be traced all the way back the Song Dynasty and their Chinese Renaissance.

= SONG DYNASTY DEMISE =

Left: Emperor Duzong After the death of Emperor Duzong, the Mongols launched an attack against the Song dynasty. One Mongol took over many cities en route to their destination, slaughtered one town, and abducted several Song generals. After this happened, many generals surrendered to the Mongol powers. Several invasions, military conquests, and the “usual” political and economic turmoil all led to the eventual downfall of the Song dynasty.