The+Rise+of+The+Tang+Dynasty+-+Research+Notes+-+Transportation+and+Weaponry


 * __ Transportation and Weaponry __**:


 * The Tang empire had great military power.
 * Emeror Tang TaiZong/Li ShiMin was very good at using strategies.
 * Under the reign of Tang TaiZong, Tang GaoZong, and Empress Wu, the Tang's military power even reached northern Mongolian Plateau and GaoJuli (Korea) areas.
 * By the time of the 7th century, the Tang Empire even expanded to central-Asia.

Sources: [] [|http://www.chinahistoryforum.org] []
 * Transportation**
 * Major transportation types during the time of the Tang Dynasty were **carts** and **boats**.
 * **Carts** [[image:http://pro.corbis.com/images/RM001074.jpg?size=67&uid=%7BC77E8E2A-8B88-4840-94D5-F58771BC0F50%7D width="512" height="284" align="right" caption="Chinese Ox carts of the Tang Dynasty"]]
 * Carts were mainly horse-drawn carriages.
 * Double-shaft hose-drawn carriages were very common. They were one of the main ways to transport.
 * These carriages could carry very heavy loads, often carry four to five people. >>>This was mainly because the horses used very advanced harness.
 * The breat-harness allowed the animals to breathe easily when they are pulling heavy loads.
 * Wheel barrows were also a very common tool. They were easy to handle.
 * They could be used on narrow paths, areas with hills, and flat surfaces. They could carry both people also.
 * The barrow was an important invention in the history of transportation in China, they resemble the western concept of a wagon.
 * They were still used in the 1950s. They are also used now for leisure purposes.
 * **Boats&Ships** [[image:http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1JBK-M9kaxU/RnUzkul9GOI/AAAAAAAAAkc/5cUsikcNFcQ/DSC04148.JPG width="445" height="327" align="right" caption="A model of ships used in the Tang Dynasty."]]
 * Tang advanced in the technology of shipbuilding.
 * Large warships started to become common in battles.
 * They ranged in height, between 30 meters to 110 meters (110meters ships were introduced during the Song Dynasty).
 * They held at the least 800 people.
 * Towers, skit-boards, and wheel-oars on these warships were starting to be developed.


 * Weaponry**
 * During the Mid-Tang Dynasty, gunpowder/"HuoYao" was invented. This explosive substance was first realized when sulfur and saltpeter was combined with charcoal. The correct formula/prescription for the making of gunpowder was discovered soon after.
 * It was made with nitre, sulphur, and carbon.
 * one of the most significant achievements of the time in China.
 * Gunpowder was soon put in use, they were used as simple hand-grenades at first during the Tang Dynasty.
 * thrown by catapults after the Tang Dynasty. They were known as "fire cannons".
 * They were made into rifles, rockets, flame throwers (gunpowder packed into bamboo sticks) by Song
 * inflicted heavy casulties and were powerful enough to damage city walls by the late Song.
 * Because the Tang Empire's military accepted many great generals from other ethnic minority groups, many foreign weapons were also introduced. (E.g. GaoJuli(Korea), QiDan, MoJie, and TuJue)
 * Complex industrial processing techniques, including metal shaping, were used in the making of weapons.
 * weapons with significance had patterns carefully carved, sometimes with symbolic importances.
 * Artisans during the Tang Dynasty used the optical theory to produce mirror-like tools to generate heat and fire from the sun.
 * This was a very unusual technique and invention at the time.

Sources: [] [] []

Tang Dynasty China > The Rise of the Tang Dynasty > Research Notes > Transportation and Weaponry