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Period: Jan 1, 600 to Dec 31, 1450
The Postclassical Period
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Jan 1, 618
The Tang Dynasty Begins
Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang prior to Yangdi's death, was victorious in gaining the throne and began a new dynasty, known as the Tang. This dynasty was an important source of change in central Asia, expanding far further than even the Han and forcing new nomadic peoples to submit to Chinese rule. -
Jan 1, 646
The Taika Reforms in Japan are Introduced
In 646, the emperor of Japan began the Taika reforms in an effort to make the entire Japanese imperial system more like the one in China. This was a great change in the formerly isolated state of Japan and exemplifies the vast amount of influence China had over all of Asia. -
Jan 1, 668
The Silla Vassal Kingdom is Established in Korea
The Chinese withdrew their armies from Korea in 668, instead settling for having the Silla kingdom as vassals. This was a change in Korea because it meant the detruction of its previous dynasty and allowed for a huge wave of Chinese sinification. -
Jan 1, 690
Empress Wu Becomes Ruler of China
Empress Wu was a passionate supporter of Buddhism, promoting it throughout the empire and even trying to make it the official religion of China. Up until this point much of the upper classes favored Confucianism, so this was a change that caused a rivalry between Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. -
Jan 1, 838
The Japanese Court Discontinues Embassies to China
The Tang court was greatly reduced by 838, so much so that Japan stopped the sending of embassies and even ceased the Taika reforms. This change signifies that China was becoming less relevant to even its influenced societies and that those societies were gaining more independence by the time of the Tang's decline. -
Jan 1, 939
Vietnam Wins Independence From China
Massive rebellions from Vietnam against their Chinese overlords won Vietnam its independence by 939. This was a large change because it made Vietnam one of the first places in Asia that resented the Chinese and gained their freedom from them. -
Jan 1, 960
The Song Dynasty is Founded
A military general named Zhao Kuangyin gained control of China following the fall of the Tang and established a new dynasty, known as the Song. This dynasty was a serious change from the Tang, never matching the size or power of the former dynasty. -
Jan 1, 1231
The Mongols Invade Korea
This Mongol invasion caused almost 150 years of conflict in Korea that helped change its constant pattern of raising aristocrats to royalty. This period of turmoil helped make way for the emerging Yi dynasty. -
Jan 1, 1271
The Mongols Establish a Dynasty in China
After a many decade long struggle on Kublai Khan's part to take over China, he finally established a dynasty known as the Yuan. The Mongols had been trying to take China since the beginning, and this meant a drastic change for China as they were now under foreign rulers, whom they considered barbarians. -
Jan 1, 1392
The Korean Yi Dynasty is Established
The establishment of the greatly successful Yi dynsaty meant a change for Korea because they were finally free from foreign rulers and were in charge of their own land for the first time. -
Dec 31, 1450
Thesis
The postclassical period was one of great change in the political power and systems of China, as well as those in many of the Asian civilizations which it influenced.