Tang Dynasty: China

The Tang dynasty (618-907AD), was one of the longest dynasties in China. The power in the new Tang dynasty lay in the hands of the intellectuals and the elite, and not in the hands of the military or the nobility. The Tang Dynasty, preceded by the Sui Dynasty, conquered almost all of China and Vietnam. It also had an impact on Korea, Japan and some Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan. The Tang Dynasty was as advanced as the Han dynasty. The end of the Tang dynasty was followed by the rule of the 'Five Dynasties', which brought about a new era of progress based on achievement. During the Tang dynasty, Chang'an became the biggest city in the world, and Luoyang also gained importance.

The Tang dynasty was started by Li Yuan, when he dethroned Yangdi, who was the last king of the Sui dynasty. Li Yuan's son, Li Shimin, killed his brothers and afterwards made his father abdicate. At the time of Li Yuan's rule, there were revolts going on in the northern part of the empire. Li Shimin fought these revolts. South China was conquered by more refined and peaceful methods. Li Shimin also vanquished the Turks and conquered Mongolia and Tibet. He was a believer of sound mind and didn't have faith in the fanciful beliefs that were figments of people's imagination. He was an ethical ruler, who allowed the practice of various religions, including Buddhism and Daoism. He also built churches for Nestorian Christians and gave them the right to travel.

Subsequently, Gaozong, Li Shimin's son, fell in love with one of his father's mistresses. The mistress's name was Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian killed Gaozong's wife to become the queen and the actual ruler. Empress Wu was an adept ruler. She changed the name of the dynasty to Zhou. Her sons were next in line to the throne, but Empress Wu ousted her sons from that position. Later, Xuanzong become the emperor. His rule was one of great creativity and productivity. He improved the courts, but allowed wicked people including the non-Chinese, into the army. Xuanzong's lover Yang Guifei placed a general named An Lushan, into an important post in the government. An Lushan became a favorite of Xuanzong, who saw him as his son. Thereafter, An Lushan fomented a rebellion against the government.

The power in the Tang dynasty was concentered in the hands of one person. There was a surveillance bureau and even a draft to increase the number of soldiers. The empire adopted a militia system, in which families with more than two sons, had to send one of them to serve in the army. The education included literature and history and the government was based on equality. There were 20 districts in the Tang dynasty and the south caught up with north China in terms of population. Taxes were paid in the form of cash, grain, cloth or unpaid labor. On the downside, the Confucianists, who were part of the government, killed many Buddhists and destroyed their temples to ensure that control in the matters of religion, remained with the government.

The Tang dynasty was one of the greatest dynasties to rule China. There was artful fiction, poetry and painting created during their rule. Music and dance flourished during their times, and skillful sculpture and pottery was also made during this period. The Buddhists printed on woodblock, and paper money and coins were also made. The Tang Dynasty also built the Grand Canal of China, which is still the longest canal in the world. The Tang dynasty receives some of the credit for the rise of China, as one of the most mighty powers in the world.