The+Rise+of+The+Tang+Dynasty+-+Research+Notes+-+Events+and+Leaders


 * __ Events and Leaders: __**

-Li ShiMin was made emperor in 628AD, temple name: Tang Taizong 唐太宗. -Tang Taizong/Li ShiMin was known as a very farsighted politician. He was even a talented poet. Source: [|CHINAKNOWLEDGE - a universal guide for China studies] [|Travel China Guide - China Discovery]
 * Events**
 * the Sui empire was brought down by the numerous peasant rebellions during the reign of the emperor SuiYangDi
 * Li Yuan at the time was a temprorary regent of TaiYuan. [[image:http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqHTELl78vM/R4hhIGYHA3I/AAAAAAAAAAs/bvNQtKosYaY/s200/gaozu.jpg width="168" height="157" align="right" caption="Li Yuan -(Temple Name: Tang GaoZong) The founder of the Tang Dynasty"]]
 * Li Yuan used the uprise of the numerous rebellions to his advantage.
 * In 617AD, Li Yuan started his rebellion with two of his sons: Li JianCheng and Li ShiMin.
 * Li Yuan took over the capital ChangAn and made the Prince of Dai代王, Yang You 杨侑as emperor.
 * Yang You was soon killed, and Li Yuan was made the King of Tang.
 * The numerous rebellions had to be put down.
 * Most of the territories of China were occupied by the Tang Dynasty in 625 AD. [[image:http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/Century_Beijing/Beijing_City/Gates_of_the_city/W020080114512073252196.jpg width="236" height="259" align="right" caption="This was the gate of Xuan Wu, Xuan Wu Meng, where Li JianCheng was killed."]]
 * In 626, Li ShiMin plotted against the crowned prince, Li JianCheng, and forced his father Li Yuan to resume the throne. This was called the Coup of Xuan Wu Meng.[[image:http://cn.yimg.com/gallery/jokes/200709260829455766545.jpg width="162" height="225" align="left" caption="A painting of Li ShiMin/ Tang TaiZong"]]
 * -The Tang Dynasty was briefly interrupted in 690, when Empress Wu founded a brief period of the Zhou Dynasty.
 * -Empress Wu started by first taking control of the inner court, then gradually reached to the outer court, and eliminated some of her political (Empress Wu was first LiShiMin/Tang Taizong's mistress, then married Li Zhi/Tang Gaozong after spending a period in a Buddhist temple as a nun.) [[image:http://cimg2.163.com/ent/2006/4/10/200604101353067ed95.jpg width="128" height="185" align="right" caption="The actress for WuZeTian(Empress Wu) for a modern TV drama about the life of Empress Wu."]]
 * Empress Wu was the only female emperor in Chinese history.
 * Under her reign, the political system went through some reforms that greatly benefitted the Tang Dynasty.
 * The economy was glorifying.
 * She still held major power in the court after her reign.
 * Li Longji re-established the power of the Li family. He was emperor in 712AD.
 * In Li Longji's later years, corruptness started to show in the court.
 * The equal land system became inefficient.
 * New land was scare.
 * pressure from foreign people constantly invading the frontiers. The Chinese government had to take control by conquering their territories.
 * The neighbours of the Tang empire included : the Turks, Uighurs, the Tibetian empire of Tubo, the kingdom of Nanzhao, the Qidan, Mohe, Bohai(Parhae), and the Three Korean Kingdoms.
 * **The Rebellion of An LuShan** - An LuShan was of half of Turkish origin. He was a military commissioner of Pinglu, Fanyang (near what is now Beijing), and Hebei.
 * He was responsible of one of the most important economic zones of Tang China.
 * His rebellion started in 755AD when his intentions became too obvious.
 * He then maid himself emperor of a Yan Dynasty.
 * But, soon he lost a lot of territories in the east because many of his men and military unites did not submit to him.
 * the Li court prepared to flee to SiChuan.
 * An LuShuan was soon murdered by his own son, An QingXu in 757AD.
 * ChangAn was conqured back soon by the Li courts (ruled by TangSuZong, Li Heng)
 * An QingXu was soon killed by his fellow rebel Shi SiMing.
 * Shi SiMing proclaimed himself as emperor and continued the rebellion and conqured LuoYang again. He soon was also killed by his own son Shi ChaoYi in 761AD.
 * Shi CaoYi was defeated in 762AD.
 * Though the rebellions were put down, the central Tang government lost its control of a lot of the Chinese territory.
 * The economy was at a downpoint.
 * Tibetans and the Uighurs had advanced into some Western regions of Tang during the rebellions.
 * **Financial Reforms**
 * The rebellions worsened the financial situation.
 * Peasants had no land and couldn't afford to pay the taxes.
 * In the north, powerful military governors collected taxes for themselves and did not turn in the taxes to the imperial court in ChangAn.
 * Eunuchs* started to have great control in the court.
 * Monasteries were very rich, they did not have to give taxes.
 * A great number of Buddhists were persecuted in 845AD.
 * rising Daoism and Confucianism.
 * **The HuangChao rebellion.**
 * Numerous rebellions by military generals. Peasants also joined their armies because of their poor financial situations.
 * ChangAn burned down in 903.
 * Zhu QuanZhong (one of the most powerful warlords) assasinated the emperor Tang ZhaoZong.
 * Liang Dynasty 梁 was founded by Zhu QuanZhong in 907 AD.

Knowing their personal names are important because historians often refer to these historical figures by their personal names.
 * A table of the Emperors of the Tang Dynasty**
 * Temple Names || Personal Names || Periods of reign (AD) ||
 * Tang Gaozu 唐高祖 || Li Yuan 李淵 || 618-626 ||
 * Tang Taizong 唐太宗 || Li Shimin 李世民 || 626-649 ||
 * Tang Gaozong 唐高宗 || Li Zhi 李治 || 649-683 ||
 * Tang Zhongzong 唐中宗 || Li Xian 李显 || 683-684 ||
 * Tang Ruizong唐睿宗 || Li Dan李旦 || 684 ||
 * Empress Wu (Wuhou)武后* **Zhou Dynasty周** in 690 || Wu Zetian武则天 || 684-704 ||
 * Tang Zhongzong唐中宗 || Li Xian 李显 || 705-709 ||
 * Tang Shangdi唐殇帝 || Li Chongmao李重茂 || 710 ||
 * Tang Ruizong唐睿宗 || Li Dan李旦 || 710-712 ||
 * Tang Xuanzong唐玄宗/Tang Mingdi唐明帝 || Li Longji李隆基 || 712-755 ||
 * Tang Suzong唐肃宗 || Li Heng李亨 || 756-762 ||
 * Tang Daizong唐代宗 || Li Yu李豫 || 762-779 ||
 * Tang Shunzong唐顺宗 || LiSong李诵 || 805 ||
 * Tang Xianzong唐宪宗 || Li Chun李纯 || 805-820 ||
 * Tang Muzong唐穆宗 || Li Heng李恒 || 820-824 ||
 * Tang Jingzong唐敬宗 || Li Zhan李湛 || 824-826 ||
 * Tang Wenzong唐文宗 || Li Ang李昂 || 826-840 ||
 * Tang Wuzong唐武宗 || Li Yan李炎 || 840-846 ||
 * Tang Xuannzong唐宣宗 || Li Chan李忱 || 846-859 ||
 * Tang Yizong唐懿宗 || Li Cui李漼 || 859-873 ||
 * Tang Xizong唐僖宗 || Li Xuan李儇 || 873-888 ||
 * Tang Zhaozong唐昭宗 || Li Ye李晔 || 888-904 ||
 * Tang Aidi唐哀帝 || Li Zhu李柷 || 904-907 ||

Source: [|CHINAKNOWLEDGE - a universal guide for China studies]
 * //A castrated man employed as a harem attendant or as a functionary in certain Asian courts.// - The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
 * Names that the emperors are formally known by. They are refered to by their temple names after death. Personal names are usually not used unless by a somebody of close relationship in a informal situation.**
 * After her husband Tang Gaozong (Li Zhi) died, she had huge influences and control over the court.

Tang Dynasty China > The Rise of the Tang Dynasty > Research Notes > Events and Leaders 