Continuities And Changes In The Sui Dynasty

China as the world sees it today; is an expansion of the small original tribes. The first emperor, in the third century B.C.E, ended the Waring States Era and founded the Qin dynasty. This opened the way for the Han dynasty rule for four centuries. Yang Jian in the sixth century C.E. ended the Age of Disunity by conquering all of China and founded the Sui Dynasty. The Sui Dynasty then paved the way for six centuries of Chinese preeminence under the Tang and Song Dynasties. The history of China records major changes in political structure, social and economic life that defined the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties. With changes and improvements to create a new order, each period of dynasties laid the foundation for the next.

The Sui Dynasty began

Jian was not only a talented general but was well connected; he married a wealthy noblewoman, providing him with the opportunity to become the main advisor to the northern emperor. His daughter then married the emperor; when the emperor died, this allowed Yang Jian to declare himself as regent for his grandson. In 581, Jian deposed of this grandson’s monarch and claimed Heaven’s Mandate for himself, starting a new dynasty called the Sui dynasty. Jian reigned from 581 to 604 as Emperor Wendi; focusing on forging and restoring connections by sending out an army, down the Yangtze River and capturing Nanjing within three months. The south had fallen by 589 CE and China was a single state once again, with Chang'an the capital and Luoyang as the auxiliary capital. The reunification of the society lead to stability and peacefulness, which stimulated economic and political development. Due to the increase in the availability of land, agriculture began to prosper. New advancements in the skills industry enhanced the shipbuilding technology and a series of policies such as the Juntian System and the Zutiao System were put in place to develop the national economy when the Luoyang

China accomplished new heights in political stability, economic prosperity, military expansion, cultural sophistication and technological innovation. Emperor Taizong was an exemplary ruler that gave rise to the national strength and the social development of the Tang Dynasty. Under his leadership: the national boundaries were open to other countries, he reformed the government and military, promoted education and religious practices, patronized the arts, the economy and commerce flourished, social order was stable and corruption ceased to exist in the court. Another noteworthy leader was Wu Zhao also called Empress Wu. She was the only female ruler and accomplished many things. During her reign, she granted tax relief, improved the civil service, decreased the power of the old nobility, fostered military expansion and promoted economic prosperity. Wu laid the foundation for the great Emperor Xuanzong, her grandson who reigned from 713 to 756. Xuanzong made China peaceful, prosperous, and full of impressive achievements during his early years of being leader. He patronized the arts, lengthened the Grand Canal, reformed the bureaucracy and coinage, and maintained a magnificent court. Emperor Xuanzong however began neglecting his duties when he fell in love with princess Yang Guifei which incited a massive revolt lead by An Lushan forcing the emperor and the princess to flee.