An essay on Wu Zhao: China’s Only Woman Emperor
Write one essay on Wu Zhao: China’s Only Woman Emperor by N. Harry Rothschild and this book only. Please do not quote from or use any outside sources. To refer to Rothschild, you may write (HR 88) = Harry Rothschild, page 8). That is sufficient. You are encouraged to bring you book to the exam.
No electronic devices (laptops or cell phones) are allowed.
Prepare an introduction, explicitly stating your Thesis Statement. It must be in your first paragraph.
Establish Historical Context, connections and explanations of the events that happened, as well as Significance (of events, choices, decisions, etc. that relate to her becoming the “Only Woman Emperor,” as the title of our book states).
Explain the preconditions for the ascent of a female Emperor as well as the Historical Context into which she was born into. Explain the significance of this context.
Consider the role that the outer court (imperial court and the emperor) as well as the inner court (concubines and the eunuchs) played in Wu Zhao’s rise in position. Explain how Wu Zhao was able to use these people to her advantage.
Who supported her and how did she get these people to support her?
Critique Rothschild’s arguments: does Rothschild explain the traditional Confucian role of women in the Tang dynasty? Does this role and Wu Zhao’s background help or hinder her to become the “Only Female Empress” in Chinese History? And how did the path that Wu Zhao took diverge from this traditional role?
Evaluate the sources that Rothschild used to write this book. How convincing are his arguments? Does Rothschild agree with the sources commonly used to report about Wu Zhao? Explain
Explain the role of Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Gender, and Politics on the rise to power of Wu Zhao.
Also, you may also include Literature and Art.
Who benefited during her reign? After considering all the facts and accusations, how would you evaluate her short reign?
Explain the 3 major factors that lead to her downfall?
Why wasn’t she killed?
Use Headings; it is a good way to keep you focused.
Establish any structure that you would like … as long as you can include the information requested.
Wu Zhao: China’s Only Woman Emperor by N. Harry Rothschild
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Wu Zhao: China’s Only Woman Emperor by N. Harry Rothschild
Introduction
China’s political history is filled with many prominent women. However, only one ever became the most powerful politician in the country, Wu Zetian (624-705 CE). Wu Zetian was also known as Wu Zhao, Empress Consort Wu, Tian Hou Wu Hou or Empress Wu. N. Harry Rothschild's book, Wu Zhao: China's Only Woman Emperor, is an all-encompassing account of the Wu Zhao’s rise to becoming “China’s only woman emperor.” In this biography, Rothschild weaves together history and myth into an articulate account of the Wu Zhao’s rise to power and her reign of the Tang Empire from 684 – 705 C.E. In this book, Rothschild borrows from a wide array of sources to construct his chronicle of Wu Zhao’s life. The biography is an all-inclusive and nuanced one that encompasses both the historical specifics of her life and the accretion of myths and legends that surround her. Among the main texts from which Rothschild draws is the Song Dynasty; which Rothschild openly admits the bias of the authors. Rothschild also uses the tang documents, edicts, essays and memos, which he argues are biased toward Wu Zhao. His account is further enriched by references to local histories and common legends. This essay assesses the Rothschild’s account of Wu Zhou’s life, critiques his arguments and also solves several questions surrounding the rise to power and reign of Wu Zhao over the Tang Empire.
Historical, Political and Social Context of Wu Zhao’s Rise to Power
Wu Zhao was born in the Tang Empire, which according to Rothschild "… was a true empire, encompassing many lands, many peoples, and many ideologies. Multi-ethnic and cosmopolitan, Tang China was perfectly suited for the ascent of a historical anomaly like Wu Zhao…" (RH 11). At the time, there existed a conflict of traditional Confucian beliefs which advocated for a male-controlled culture and the copious Steppe beliefs which promoted the rights and freedom of women. These two cultures were prevalent in China at the time, and therefore they had a great considerable influence on the lifestyle and the people who lived in that era. Women of the time were bold and tough, and unlike previous generations, had managed to secure their social and sexual rights (RH 12). Although perfect equality between men and women was never attained, women of the time had alleviated the dominance of men. As the author mentions while talking about the Silk Road,”…In this free-wheeling milieu, women donned men’s attire and rode horses…” (RH 15). According to Rothschild (16), the Tang Empire was founded on this “cosmopolitan” society.
Another key factor was the pervasiveness of Buddhism as the faith of the multitudes. Buddhism was central to the union of much of Asia and was a joint platform for men and women, which is in contrast with Confucianism where women were discriminated against. Buddhism and the Tang administration formed a mutually beneficial relationship. The rulers before Wu Zhao had favored Buddhism over other religions. However, Rothschild makes clear the role Buddhism played in Wu Zeitan's political career. According to Rothschild, since Buddhism did not contain the long-lasting historical and moral inhibitions to feminine rule that were extremely embedded in Chinese tradition, it offered Wu Zhao both conceptual and political authentication. The diversity of Buddhism offered a common social ground that was key in bringing together the multi-ethnic occupants of her cosmopolitan empire (RH 138).
Role of the Outer Court and the Inner Court in Wu Zhou’s Ascension to Power
Once custom dictated, that Wu was purified, Emperor Gaozong brought her to court. In a few years, she had given the Emperor three sons and a daughter who was murdered in bed. Empress Wang remained barren and soon begin to feel that her high connections would no longer be able to keep the Emperor interested. On her part, Wu Zhou started making dominant alliances with the harem, and the servants working close to the court action. It is these ladies who became her spies, enabling her to better her enemies’ time over.
Soon, Wu Zhou ascended to the throne as the Emperor's wife and Empress. She had four sons, all legitimate heirs to the throne. Wu started learning how government works behind the curtain separating the outer court of men and the inner court of women. Soon she began suggesting her political policies. She managed to convince Gaozong to eliminate the nobles who favored the previous Empress. Gaozong shocked the royal court b...