Tang Dynasty
The golden age of Chinese history, no other dynasty after this had gone as far around the world as a Tang mariner, much less harbored thoughts of equality for all under heaven.
History
Established in 618 by the Li family shortly after the previous dynasty fell.
In the early years of the dynasty, exploration missions were key to its expansion.
Xuanzang's records were part of a compendium of knowledge that helped the Tang empire make plans for colonies in other nations.
The royal family ruled until 690 when Wu Zetian usurped the throne and became the only female emperor of China's history.
Tang rule resumed in 705, which ushered in a liberal age of simplified noble life and almost equal rights for both men and women due to Wu Zetian choosing women for her government posts.
The emperor Xuanzong then put his trust in a chancellor who insisted in hiring more foreign generals for the military, indirectly paving the way for the empire's fall.
In 755, the An Lushan rebellions began, with increasingly powerful military generals questioning the order of the empire and testing their might.
Around the same time, massive floods and famine harmed the populace, making them believe the Tang's right to the Mandate of Heaven had ended.
Despite this, in the 9th century, the empire recovered slightly. The last straw was the Huangchao rebellion which took a decade to quell, leaving the way for future military forces to take over.
Meanwhile, the Tang colonies in the New World developed without overbearing influence from the mainland, ready to announce their intention of breaking away into a new nation.
In the early years of the dynasty, exploration missions were key to its expansion.
Xuanzang's records were part of a compendium of knowledge that helped the Tang empire make plans for colonies in other nations.
The royal family ruled until 690 when Wu Zetian usurped the throne and became the only female emperor of China's history.
Tang rule resumed in 705, which ushered in a liberal age of simplified noble life and almost equal rights for both men and women due to Wu Zetian choosing women for her government posts.
The emperor Xuanzong then put his trust in a chancellor who insisted in hiring more foreign generals for the military, indirectly paving the way for the empire's fall.
In 755, the An Lushan rebellions began, with increasingly powerful military generals questioning the order of the empire and testing their might.
Around the same time, massive floods and famine harmed the populace, making them believe the Tang's right to the Mandate of Heaven had ended.
Despite this, in the 9th century, the empire recovered slightly. The last straw was the Huangchao rebellion which took a decade to quell, leaving the way for future military forces to take over.
Meanwhile, the Tang colonies in the New World developed without overbearing influence from the mainland, ready to announce their intention of breaking away into a new nation.
Demography and Population
At the peak of the dynasty, there were about 100 million citizens; 80 million in the Old World, 20 million in the New World.
Territories
Besides the mainland Chinese empire, they once held part of the northern New World as one of their very distant colonies.
How did they get there? By sailing past the Horn of Africa and turning west as far as they could once past the equator.
How did they get there? By sailing past the Horn of Africa and turning west as far as they could once past the equator.
Military
The military held a respectable amount of power in the empire, but as the later emperors relied more on each general's discretion, some dreamed of freedom or power for themselves.
Technological Level
The Tang dynasty expanded on previous dynasties' knowledge of clockwork, so much so that present historians refer to it as the Clockwork Empire.
These clockworks were used in entertainment and to make work easier, as in one case of an automatic drink dispenser in the shape of a mountain landscape.
Cartography became a refined art in this period, and maps of the New World were a curiosity to educated citizens.
Alchemical knowledge allowed citizens to devise fireproof cement, waterproof clothes polish, and medical remedies to balance bodily ailments.
All this information made its way across to the New World colonies, which put its own spin on them.
These clockworks were used in entertainment and to make work easier, as in one case of an automatic drink dispenser in the shape of a mountain landscape.
Cartography became a refined art in this period, and maps of the New World were a curiosity to educated citizens.
Alchemical knowledge allowed citizens to devise fireproof cement, waterproof clothes polish, and medical remedies to balance bodily ailments.
All this information made its way across to the New World colonies, which put its own spin on them.
Religion
Buddhism flourished in the Tang dynasty, especially after Xuanzang's longest journey to India.
It was adapted to the folkloric beliefs and Bodhisattvas were reinterpreted or reimagined. The most well-known is Guanyin, Lady of Compassion. She was an adaptation of Avalokitesvara from Indian Buddhist mythology.
It was adapted to the folkloric beliefs and Bodhisattvas were reinterpreted or reimagined. The most well-known is Guanyin, Lady of Compassion. She was an adaptation of Avalokitesvara from Indian Buddhist mythology.
Foreign Relations
At the height of the empire's power, Tang China received tribute from surrounding nations like Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.
Their reach included parts of the Indian subcontinent like Kashmir and Nepal.
Their reach included parts of the Indian subcontinent like Kashmir and Nepal.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Alternative Names
Clockwork Empire
Demonym
Tang Chinese
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Chinese coinage
Official Languages
Notable Members
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