Major Changes Throughout the Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties

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Major Changes Throughout the Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties
Every dynasty in China had made its own significant impacts on its society. It affected different aspects in the ancient world and even unto this day, has some influences. Since 2100 BCE to 589 CE rose and fell many different emperors and went through wars, spiritual awakenings, religious introductions, and so on. Following the fall of Han Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty finally emerged to be another promising era for China, and continued on with Tang and Song Dynasties. A lot of changes occured during these period including political structures, economic situation, and the social architecture.
Sui Dynasty
When discussing about the Sui Dynasty, it is important to remember what events preceded this period in China in order to clearly compare what changes its leaders had brought. Prior the first emperor of the Sui Dynasty came to be, China was divided into two, Northern Dynasty and Southern Dynasty. At that time, China was at war within its own borders. However, when the Sui Dynasty came, China went through critical changes - the aggression that was before aimed against each other was redirected to not only protecting the entire country but of expanding its territories. Although the Sui Dynasty was quite brief 581-618 CE and consisted of only two emperors Wendi or Wen or Wen-ti and then his son Yangdi or Yang Guang or Yang-ti, major revisions in Chinese politics, economy, and social structure occurred (Wright, 1978).
Political. It is as if the Sui Dynasty made an overhaul in the political system that China had previously practiced. They centralized the administration system, and abolished the old Nine Rank System of officials. In order to find the best officials to lead, they carefully selected local prefects based on their outstanding civil service exam performance. Furthermore, they sent officials to lead at places where they had the least personal ties, thinking that this way helps avoid corruption and abuse of position. For the same reason, their years of service set at three to four years.
Economic. Not only had the Sui Dynasty thought of cleaning up the political system but they also watched over the equality among its people. They created land reforms which protected farmers from being taken advantage by large estate owners. This however was not successfully seen through since briberies occurred among landlords and local officials.
Social. Perhaps the most apparent social change brought about by Sui Dynasty is its unification of the previously split nation. They fortified the Great Wall and also attempted to expand the nation’s borders to Vietnam and Manchuria.
Tang Dynasty
Despite the ambitiousness and diligence of the Sui Dynasty, it still failed. However, all the hard work and great ideas hatched at that era did not go to waste as it instead paved a w...