Tang Dynasty Map



Tang Dynasty Map! Link!

The Tang Dynasty had 6 capitals through its period of time. But the main capital was Chang’an. Chang’an held over a million people and was considered the largest city in the world during the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty’s location took place in what we now know as today, China Proper. Also, the Tang Dynasty is stretched out on to the west so more of the Silk Road would be in their territory. There are four major rivers in the Tang Dynasty. Those four rivers are the Wei, Yellow, Yangtze, and West River. These rivers were helpful to the Tang Dynasty’s population. Each river had fertile soil and a lot of water. Farmers grew crops much easier because of the rivers. Near the east and south of the map, water surrounded most of the Tang Dynasty’s land. The water was useful as a border because the Tang’s Empire could see if enemies were going to attack by water before the enemy even got there. Also there were many mountains on the west of the Tang Dynasty. The mountains were also a helpful barrier for the Tang Dynasty. When the Tang Dynasty was at its best its land stretched out from the Korean Peninsula to the Tarim Basin. The Tang Dynasty had many geographical effects to help the Tang Dynasty expand and thrive.

BUDDHISM FALLS

Ben Derrigo

In 845 A.D. Buddhist temples were destroyed by Emperor Wu Zong. Buddhism is a religion based on the afterlife. In Buddhism, if a person has done good deeds his life after death should be great. But if the person has done bad deeds it is believed, by Buddhists, that they will be punished in the afterlife. So whoever studied Buddhism wanted to do good deeds so his afterlife was successful. Buddhism also was noted as a release of suffering for good people. Buddhism was spread across the Tang’s kingdom. There were many towers and temples seen all across the Tang’s land. The temples even were given support by the Tang Empire. Many people gave the temples money and donations. This was because they wanted to seem like good people and wanted to have a great afterlife. Many people didn’t pay taxes because they gave donations to the Buddhist temples. Emperor Wu Zong was very mad and disappointed that people would give donations to the Buddhists but they didn’t pay taxes for his Emperor. So Emperor Wu Zong destroyed all the temples and towers that the Buddhists owned. He destroyed the temples because they were very valuable. The temples metal and material was melted and turned into currency. Also, the emperor had the temples destroyed so the people donating money to the temples would start paying taxes. Lastly, he did this so the Buddhists will start paying the general tax base. Even though the temples were destroyed by Emperor Wu Zong, Buddhism thrived through the Chinese population. Soon temples were rebuilt throughout China after the Tang Dynasty.

Interview

Ben: Hello, I’m here with Wang Wei and I'm going to ask him a series of questions.

Wang Wei: It’s good to be here.

Ben: I know. Okay first question, what do you do for a living?

Wang Wei: I am famous for writing poems and creating various paintings. Citzens would watch me paint and be amazed at my ability. Also, I was considered one of the three greatest poets during the Tang Dynasty. I was actually one of the reasons the Tang Dynasty was the Golden Age of art and literature.

Ben: Very interesting. What did you do before you started painting and writing?

Wang Wei:  I used to be a musician, I studied for the first years of my life. I was an excellent student in school. I passed every exam and exceeded in all of them. Soon after school I became the Assisant Secratary of Music in Shenshi.  After retiring from music I worked for the government in Chang'an and other large cities. I retired from the government to start painting and writing.

Ben: Fascinating. Tell me more about you and your family.

Wang Wei: Well I was born in 699 A.D. and I will die in 766 A.D. My father was a government official and was very succesful. My mother was succesful to. I was born and raised in the Chinese district of Qi. I was oldest child in my family. My family was religous and we studied and took part in Buddhism.

Ben: Your family sounds wonderful. Where did you get your inspiration for  your outstanding poems and paintings?

Wang Wei: I got my inspiration for my poems and paintings from Buddhism. As you know, Buddhism was a big part in my family. Also, each of my paintings and poems represented the beauty of nature and its illusions. So religion and nature took a big part in my fabulous poems and paintings.

Ben: Wow, you are just something! Last question, tell our viewers more about your artwork and poems. What is your most famous poem and painting?

Wang Wei: OK! Well I have written almost 400 poems and they are all amazing. But my most famous poem is most likely the "Wang River Collection", including my poem "Deer Park". For my paintings though, I honestly don't know because they're are so many. I like to think all of my poems and paintings are the most famous.

Ben: Well it's been good to have you hear! I hope we can meet again.

Wang Wei: We won't.

Ben: Ok.

Wang Wei Link!

 

Trade in Chang’an and the Silk Road

By: Ben Derrigo

            Trade flourished through the Tang Dynasty because of Chang’an and the Silk Road. The Tang Dynasty was the Golden Age of trade. Trade was a big deal during the Tang Dynasty because inventions, art, and more were expanded around China. New ideas were sent around China because of the Silk Road and Chang’an. The Silk Road was a very long route that went through China to Europe. Both Chang’an and the Silk Road were the two biggest aspects of trade during the Tang Dynasty. These two places that helped trade were strong and well built. Both of them had a purpose and that was to trade. Both Chang’an and the Silk Road were amazing landmarks because of trade. Trade was a clear element to the success of the Tang Dynasty.

            Chang’an was the capital of Tang Dynasty and all most trade took place in the city. “Under the Tangs, Chang'an became a thriving metropolis and center of international trade filled with merchants, foreign traders, and missionaries from numerous religions, acrobats, artists and entertainers (Facts and Details).” The quote explains that the city expanded and grew because of trade. The city was filled with so many trade markets to buy, sell, and trade items. The city was amazing because it represented what the Golden Age of the Tang Dynasty was. Trade was filled through the streets of Chang’an. Chang’an was one of China’s greatest cities because of its trade.

            Another key aspect to trade during the Tang Dynasty was the Silk Road. The Silk Road ran through China and Europe. The road is of course known because of trade. “That this time-honored trade route reached its apex in the Tang Dynasty can be ascribed to many reasons (Travel China Guide).” The Silk Road was one of the reasons that the Tang Dynasty was called the Golden Age. The Silk Road was doing extraordinary in trade because the economy flourished. The emperors of the Tang Dynasty watched over the Silk Road. Trade was also improving along the Silk Road because Europe was willing to trade with China a lot. Overall, both Chang’an and the Silk Road were extraordinary landmarks mostly because of trade. Trade was outstanding during the Tang Dynasty because it grew each and every day.

The Invention of Gunpowder

 

The Tang Dynasty created many important inventions that are still used to this day. But the most important invention was the invention of gunpowder. During the Tang Dynasty, China didn’t know gunpowder was highly flammable. Many people died or injured from the new mixture. Gunpowder was created by Taoists who were experimenting with charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter. These three substances were mixed and were highly explosive. This mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter is what we now know as today, gunpowder. Over the years, gunpowder was used for many reasons. Gunpowder was first used to make medicines and treat wounds. But as the years went by, it was used to make fireworks and then weapons! Gunpowder soon became a very famous mixture.

Gunpowder was first invented during the Tang Dynasty. Gunpowder started as a small mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter. But soon gunpowder was used for other inventions. China first used gunpowder as medicines. They created gunpowder to treat wounds and heal citizens. Soon, gunpowder was tested and experimented on. As technology grew, so did gunpowder! After the Chinese experimented with the gunpowder, they were able to create fireworks. They used the fireworks for grand celebrations. Gunpowder wasn’t used for weapons during the Tang Dynasty. Other Dynasties though also experimented with gunpowder after the fall of the Tang Dynasty. Gunpowder was used for weapons such as cannons, rockets, explosives, and firearms. A simple mixture soon became an important substance for the entire world.

            Gunpowder is simply an invention that changed people’s lives forever. During the Tang Dynasty, China thought of gunpowder as medicine and fireworks. But today, people think gunpowder as weapons, firearms, and explosives. Gunpowder changed lives for China during the Tang Dynasty because it kept people alive and showed celebrations for China. Now gunpowder is a primary resource we use for war! The guns, bullets, and explosives we have today all hold gunpowder. When countries are in war, most of their weapons have or need gunpowder to be used. This effects how people live because gunpowder can be a good or bad resemblance to them. Gunpowder can be the smallest difference in a war. Also, it shows peoples respect and celebration for the life they live. Gunpowder is a small mixture but it makes a huge difference.

http://www.all-about-forensic-science.com/gunpowder-residue-forensics.html