Song Dynasty, the Renaissance of China

During the Song Dynasty economics, commerce, and trade grew. A period of busy economic development occurred during the Song Dynasty, especially in manufacturing  and commerce. There were many advancements in iron and steel production that were used in agriculture and construction. New techniques in working with heating metals made them the most advanced ship builders in the world. Cities expanded and commerce and trade advanced. Extensive coinage and the development of new water ways lead to wealth and trade. Advancements in education and the arts were also made during the Song Dynasty.  Inexpensive texts increased literacy and lead to a new middle class in China. Chinese pottery, advances in music, Song poetry, also made the Song Dynasty culturally rich.

Religions of the Song Dynasty

Neo-Confucianism became the dominant philosophy of the Song period. The founder of Neo-Confucianism was Zhu Xi. Neo-Confucianism renewed the original view of Confucian . The renew was needed because China started to become more and more exposed to foreign religion, and saw a lack of development in their own religion. The reform helped to reinterpret the ancient idea to modern of China.

Confucians of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) studied the classical works of their faith, but were also familiar with Buddhist teachings. Buddhist thought offered to them many things that they considered worthy of admiration, including ideas not yet fully explored by Confucianism. Song Confucians drew greatly from Buddhist thought as well as their own traditions, thus giving rise to the name of Neo-Confucianism.

Inventions of the Song Dynasty

Printing Technique
Inspired by engraved name seals, Chinese people invented fixed-type engraved printing around 600 A.D. The skill played an important role in the Song Dynasty but it has inadequacies. It was time-consuming to engrave a model, not easy to store, and not hard to correct errors.

During the reign of Emperor Ren Zong of the Northern Song Dynasty, Bi Sheng invented movable, reusable clay type after many tests. Single types were made and picked out for printing certain books. These types could be used again and again for different books. Because of the large number of different characters in the Chinese written language, this technique did not have a big impression at the time. Today this typesetting technique is considered a revolution in the industry. About 200 years later, this movable-type technique spread to other countries and inspired the growth of world civilization.

 

Paper Money
Paper currency was a by-product of Chinese block-printing. It started in Tang but not until Song dynasty that it became institutionalized as a governmental policy. It had two main advantages over money made out of silver, gold, copper or iron: It was easier to carry around and the copper and iron could be saved for use in everyday objects.



Compass

During the Warring States period, a device called a Si Nan became the forerunner of the compass. A Si Nan was a ladle-like magnet on a plate with the handle of the ladle pointing to the south. In the 11th century (Song Dynasty), tiny needles made of magnetized steel were invented. One end of the needle points north while the other points south. The compass was thus created. The compass greatly improved a ship's ability to navigate over long distances.

Why is the Southern Song Dynasty considered the weakest Dynasty in Chinese history?



Map of China (960 AD - 1279AD)

 The Northern Song Dynasty idea of literacy as more important than the military guided the Southern Song's rulers. The rulers of the Southern Song Dynasty made every attempt to make peace with their enemies which lead to many invasions. The constant dealing with external aggression and internal political corruption combined with the weak military made the Southern Song Dynasty weak.

What were some of the weapons used in the Song Dynasty?

In the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) gun powder was used in weaponry, the earliest experience in the world. The earliest use of flamethrowers occurred in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Powder was held in a thick bamboo tube that spewed flames to burn enemies. During the Snog Dynasty the cross bow was used, it had a long range repeater that had a trigger mechanism, armor-piercing darts, and a range of 200 yards.