Song Dynasty Essay

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The Enduring Legacy of the Song Dynasty

One of the eras of a majestic ancient civilization that has left a lasting impression upon the world of today is the Chinese Song Dynasty. Established by General Zhao Kuangyin this dynasty lasted from 960–1279 AD and brought a new stability to China after many decades of civil war, and ushered in a new era of modernization. It was divided into the Bei (Northern) and the Nan (Southern) Song periods. This brilliant cultural epoch gave birth to major advances in economic reform, achievements in technology, and helped to further medical knowledge. The Song dynasty was located in the east half of the modern day People 's Republic of China. However, it did not occupy for the northernmost areas (the modern Inner Mongolia province and areas above; see Figure 1. Map of the territory of the Song Dynasty.) During the Bei (Northern) Song period (960–1127AD), the Song capital was in the northern city of Bianjing (which is now Kaifeng). After the Song lost control of northern China to the Jurchen Jin dynasty in the Jin–Song Wars the Nan (Southern) Song period (1127–1279 AD) began and the new capital was established at Lin 'an (which is now Hangzhou), located south of the Yangtze River. Before launching into praises of the Song Dynasty 's many achievements, the matter of its origin …show more content…

In 1044 AD Zeng Gongliang and Yang Weide wrote a treatise called “Wujing Zongyao” or “Collection of the Most Important Military Techniques” in which several formulas for making powerful blasting powder with a large percentage of nitrate were contained. These experiments with and improvements of gunpowder formulas led to more powerful weapons, including bombs (Needham, Joseph (1986e), Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 5, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 7: Military Technology; The Gunpowder Epic, Cambridge: Cambridge University

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