Major Changes in Political Structures, Social and Economic Life in China Dynasties

Major Changes in Political Structures, Social and Economic Life in China Dynasties
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Major Changes in Political Structures, Social and Economic Life in China Dynasties
China's Song, Sui, and Tang dynasties experienced significant economic, social, and political advances between 581 -1279 AD. Being one of the world's richest historical nations, it boasts of an ancient civilization. Its history stretches to approximately 5000 years. Just like other prominent global civilizations, China tracks her rich culture to an amalgam of small tribes that later expanded to form present China. Consequently, this essay examines the principal changes in economic, social, and political life during the Sui administration, the Tang dynasty, and the Song regime in China.
The Sui dynasty administration lasted from 581 – 618 A.D. The emperor instituted monasteries for both Daoism and Buddhism throughout the land and elected Buddhist monks as his chief advisors. This regime revived The Han system of examination, which was based on the Confucian classics ("Timeline and dynasties of ancient China," 2020). The period also recorded a taxation reformation whereby it introduced a census to establish fair tax collection means. Moreover, every taxable male received a land grant from the government. However, once a man got to be 60 years old, the government would take a portion of the land and leave the rest to the man's heirs. The period was also marked by great architecture. It was at this time that the Grand Canal was instituted and the Great Wall reconstructed. The Great Canal brought significant improvements to China's socialization, trade, and travel as it connected the Huang, Huai, and Yangtze rivers. Another change that the Sue regime brought was that it established grain stores to sustain its subjects during famine times. By the end of its 38 years of reign, the Sui Dynasty had had three emperors. Although the second emperor, emperor Yang was quite authoritarian and made his administration to be likened to the Qin dynasty, people were grateful that the nation enjoyed newly found unity and economic and political advancements.
The Tang dynasty lasted between 618 and l907. During this period, examinations were the yardstick that determined one's appointment as a government official. The emperor simplified tax collection by ordering a census where citizens were drafted to perform manual labor for the empire. Land expansion ("Timeline," n.d.) and appreciation of art were witnessed, making the Tang to be regarded as the golden age of art and literature. Written literature was more available due to the invention of block printing. Literature availability improved literacy levels across the entire empire. Additionally, there was a remarkable refinement in Shipbuilding and firearms development. Buddhism, particularly rock sculpture, heavily influenced art. Poetry was a crucial part of Chinese culture and a compulsory subject for anybody undertaking the civil service exams. The regime accorded Talented poets profound respect, and citizens regularly recited poetic compositions at parties. On the other hand, faced with the heavy taxation burden, most citizens either became bandits or placed themselves under great landlords' protection since the latter were exempt from taxes. (Halsall, 1998). Gunpowder was also invented during this period. People used it for fireworks, which they believed helped to scare off destructive spirits. Porcelain, a type of ceramic, was also invented. There were also notable advances in clock making, medicine, map...