"A country cannot be a country without it's people and a ruler cannot be a ruler without a country." - Emperor Taizong
Government
The Tang Dynasty was one of the most successful in the history of China!
It had an incredible government - one that set the standard for many dynasties and empires to come!
Scroll down to read more!
It had an incredible government - one that set the standard for many dynasties and empires to come!
Scroll down to read more!
Basic Structure
The Government of Tang China was simple, yet wildly successful. It was a monarchy. There was an emperor (scroll down to hear about some of the greatest in history) who ruled, but the were also three sections which created laws. Those sections were divided even further into six departments. This division of power made sure everything could be carried out, and the government would be nice and orderly.
The laws were loosely based on the Sui legal code, they were well known so everyone knew their place in society. There was also a military, although it was not used often, because as famous Emperor Taizong once said, "Military force cannot be entirely eliminated nor used all the time."
The Tang government cared about it's people strongly, and made sure they all had a voice. They divided land so that all could be owners and could even become a government official. This test was called the Imperial Examination system. (Go to key ideas to read more about it)
The Tang structure of government was used for many future periods of China, and had a major influence all around the world.
KEY IDEAS
Military & Laws-
Education-
- Military was minimally used so it could be used as needed, but to not upset the people.
- Overall, the Tang dynasty was quite peaceful, and there were no major wars or battles.
- "The Great Tang Code" was created to have a set of norms and laws for the society.
- The code gave laws, as well as suggestions for daily rituals, and morals of the society.
- Many of the laws were based off of the remains of the Sui dynasty.
- The population was generally aware of all laws, and there was never much conflict and criminal behavior.
- The laws and military ensured that citizens could feel protected, while still having freedoms and privileges.
Education-
- The Tang dynasty believed that education was a key part of a successful society.
- The Tang dynasty was unique in this belief, many ancient empires thought an educated populous was a danger to the city.
- They believed all in society should get a chance to be educated.
- The main for of education was the Imperial Examination System.
- This was a system in which members of society would study and take an exam to see if they could earn a place as a government official.
- There was an exam all about the arts: literature, painting, music, philosophy...
- There was also a test, called the 'wushu' to select military officials.
- This system was the basis for education systems all around the world.
- Even our modern day education system is based upon this system.
- The Tang Dynasty was a monarchy.
- Although the government possessed most of the power, they tried to make sure that the people had some too.
- They divided land from large land owners, and split it between those who had none.
- This allowed all to have some power and property.
- They also gave everyone a chance to become part of the government, through the Imperial Examination System.
- The Tang dynasty had slaves, but they were only created when people sold themselves into slavery.
- These small freedoms are just some of the many examples of the government giving power to the people.
- Giving people power created a happier community, and a strong relationship between the government and it's country.
- This relationship allowed for the country to prosper in many ways. (Go to the culture page to find out about these ways!)
- The Sui dynasty fell in 618 AD, and in the same year, the Tang dynasty came to be.
- When the Sui dynasty fell, the Emperor at the time was Emperor Yang.
- Li Yuan was just an officer at Emperor Yang's court - but he became the founder of the Tang Dynasty.
- He rose an army against the emperor, and brought the downfall of the dynasty.
- Later that year, he became emperor.
- From that year on, the government of Tang was built, and helped to turn the dynasty into one of the most successful and prosperous in history.
IMPORTANT EMPERORS
Here is a short biography of some of the most influential Tang emperors. These do not include all of the Tang emperors- just a few who had a large impact of history.
Li Shimin, a.k.a Emperor Taizong was the most famous emperors of the Tang dynasty. He was the son of Li Yuan. Under Emperor Taizong, the country flourished into it's first glorious period. All aspects of society bloomed, and the empire was peaceful and happy. He made smart choices, and cared for his country. Emperor Taizong even wrote a document, titled Empire Taizong on Effective Government which helped to instruct future rulers on how to successfully run their kingdom. History looks back fondly on Emperor Taizong, and the wonderful achievements he made in China's history.
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Ranked as one of the most evil rulers in ancient history, Wu Meiniang, a.k.a Wu Zetian, a.k.a Empress Shengshen was one of the Tang dynasty's most interesting figures. She started out as Emperor Taizong's favorite concubine, then married his ninth son when he came to the throne. After her husband died, she killed her sons and eldest daughter so that she could have the throne. As she ruled, she caused many deaths, tortures, poisonings and even suicides each day. She was the first female empress and even tried to create her own dynasty. (it only lasted for 15 years and never separated from the Tang dynasty.) Despite her cruel nature, she led the Tang dynasty into a state of economic prosperity.
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Li Longji, a.k.a Emperor Xuanzong, brought both prosperity and downfall to the Tang dynasty. He brought about the second glorious period, a time filled with rapid growth and prosperity. The Tang dynasty reached the highest point in the dynasty at that time. As Emperor Xuanzong grew old, he started to make bad choices. He hired cruel and dishonest advisors and government officials, and spent too much time with his concubines. The dynasty weakened, and a rebellion stirred. The rebellion lasted eight years and weakened the dynasty. The Tang dynasty lost it's power bit by bit, and in 907, was destroyed. (The emperor at that time was Emperor Ai, not Emperor Xuanzong.)
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Want To Learn More...
An essay by Hannah Oblak, which provides more information and analysis on the government of Tang China
Bibliography
Emperor Taizong. Emperor Taizong On Effective Government. China: n.p., 648 AD. Print.
Emperor Taizong. "Maintaining Military Forces." Emperor Taizong On Effective Government. China: n.p., 648 AD. N. pag. Print.
"Political System of Tang Dynasty." Travel China Guide. N.p., 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang.htmhttp://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang.htm>.
"Tang Dynasty - The Golden Age." Ancient Civilizations. Independence Hall Association, 2008. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://www.ushistory.org/civ/9d.asp>.
"The Tang Dynasty (618 - 907)." What's On Xiamen. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. <http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/xiamen-info-17.html>.
"Tang Dynasty Government." Totally History. N.p., 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://totallyhistory.com/tang-dynasty-government/>.
"Tang Dynasty." Travel China Guide. N.p., 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/>.
Wuji, Zhangsun. "The Ten Abominations." The Great Tang Code. China: n.p., 624 AD. Article 6. Print.
Emperor Taizong. "Maintaining Military Forces." Emperor Taizong On Effective Government. China: n.p., 648 AD. N. pag. Print.
"Political System of Tang Dynasty." Travel China Guide. N.p., 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang.htmhttp://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang.htm>.
"Tang Dynasty - The Golden Age." Ancient Civilizations. Independence Hall Association, 2008. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://www.ushistory.org/civ/9d.asp>.
"The Tang Dynasty (618 - 907)." What's On Xiamen. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. <http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/xiamen-info-17.html>.
"Tang Dynasty Government." Totally History. N.p., 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://totallyhistory.com/tang-dynasty-government/>.
"Tang Dynasty." Travel China Guide. N.p., 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/>.
Wuji, Zhangsun. "The Ten Abominations." The Great Tang Code. China: n.p., 624 AD. Article 6. Print.