The Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) was a period when China moved ahead of the rest of the world in marine navigation, political philosophy, government, civil services, technological invention, and material production, as well as the growth of its population (Fairbank and Goldman 88-89). These factors combined with a stable political climate created an atmosphere of increased economic growth (89). This phenomenon during the Song Dynasty has been referred to as an "early industrial revolution" (Kaplan 28-1). This paper will examine the economy of the Song Dynasty, including the changes, successes, failures, and the influence of Wang Anshi and his reforms on the economy.

The Song Dynasty began in 960 after 50 years of infighting, corruption and coup d'etats among the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms while the populace was plagued by bandits, warlords, and corrupt officials (Fairbank and Goldman 84,86). This changed when the commander of the palace guard under the final of the Five Dynasties, Zhoa Kuangyin, was proclaimed the new emperor by his troops and founded the Song Dynasty (88). Zhao went on to gain control of more territory through a series of public relations campaigns as well as through military might. He consolidated his power by offering his military allies titles, estates, and other large settlements if they would retire from office. Zhao replaced these military men with scholars from the gentry class, building up the bureaucracy through the civil examination proce

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