Starting in 960 and ending in 1279, the Song Dynasty consisted of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). With a prosperous economy and radiant culture, the Song Dynasty was considered as another period of 'golden age' after the glorious Tang Dynasty (618 - 907).
The Northern Song was founded by Zhao Kuangyin, a military general in the Latter Zhou Dynasty (951 - 960). In 960, Zhao Kuangyin launched a mutiny in Chenqiao county (in current Henan Province).It was not long before the last king of the Latter Zhou was forced to abdicate. Thus a new dynasty - Song Dynasty was established in Kaifeng. In that period, most part of China's territory was unified. However, in late Northern Song, the political corruption was serious and the regime began to decline. In 1127, the Northern Song Dynasty was destroyed by the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234).
The Southern Song Dynasty was set up by Zhao Gou, son of the last emperor of Northern Song. After Jin defeated the Northern Song, many imperial clansmen were captured by Jin's army. Fortunately, Zhao Gou had a luck escape. In 1127, he fled to Nanjing Yingtianfu (in current Shangqiu of Henan Province) and established the Southern Song Dynasty there. Later, the capital city was moved to Lin'an (currently Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province).The Southern Song's regime was subject to the Jin Dynasty. Many patriotic generals were killed in the late period. In 1279, the army of the Yuan Dynasty captured Lin'an, putting the Southern Song to an end.
Generally, the Song Dynasty was prosperous in many respects of the society. In agriculture, the productive technology was improved which promoted the output of food; in handicraft industry, the division of labor became more detailed which made the handicrafts technology reach an advanced level; additionally, the development of the commodity economy exceeded the previous level. Particularly, the earliest paper currency appeared at that period.
As for the development of science and culture, tremendous achievements were made in the Song Dynasty. Two of China's four great inventions - typography and compass were both invented and the application of gunpowder also developed rapidly. With regard to literature, a large number of outstanding scholars and poets, such as Zhuxi, Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, Sima Guang and Shen Kuo, emerged and built up the splendid cultural atmosphere of the Song Dynasty.
Emperors of the Song Dynasty
| Order | Name | Notes | Reign Time (years) | |||
| Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127) | ||||||
| 1 | Song Taizu (Zhao Kuangyin) | Formerly the leading general of the Latter Zhou Dynasty (951 - 960); He usurped the throne and founded the Song Dynasty by launching a coup. | 960 - 976 | |||
| 2 | Song Taizong (Zhao Guangyi) | The younger brother of Zhao Kuangyin; during his reign, the whole China was unified by his defeating the Northern Han Dynasty (951 - 979). | 976 - 997 | |||
| 3 | Song Zhenzong (Zhao Heng) | Son of Emperor Taizong; In his reign, the military power of Song was strengthened but he signed the first humiliating treaty with the Liao Dynasty (916 - 1125). Especially, he founded the famous ceramic kiln in Jingdezhen. | 997 - 1022 | |||
| 4 | Song Renzong (Zhao Zhen) | Son of Emperor Zhenzong; His reign was the turning point of the Song Dynasty from the prosperity to the disintegration. | 1022 - 1063 | |||
| 5 | Song Yingzong (Zhao Shu) | Son of one of the imperial clansmen and was adopted by Emperor Renzong; Actually, Emperor Yingzong's father was the first cousin of Emperor Renzong. | 1063 - 1067 | |||
| 6 | Song Shenzong (Zhao Xu1) | During his reign, he appointed Wang Anshi as Chancellor who presented a series of reform policy. He tried to expel Xixia (a contemporary kingdom of the Northern Song) troops out of the Song's territory but it was in vain. | 1067 - 1085 | |||
| 7 | Song Zhezong (Zhao Xu3) | Son of Emperor Zhenzong; In his reign, a conventional chancellor named Sima Guang was appointed, who once halted the reform policy put forth by Wang Anshi. | 1085 - 1100 | |||
| 8 | Song Huizong (Zhao Ji) | The 11th son of Emperor Shenzong; one of the few monarchs who favored Taoism and against Buddhism; As an emperor, he was more well-known as a painter, poet, calligrapher and musician. | 1100 - 1125 | |||
| 9 | Song Qinzong (Zhao Huan) | The eldest son of Emperor Huizong; He ascended to the throne after his father abdicated. However, the Song court was defeated by the Jin army in 1127 after which both Qinzong and Huizong were demoted to commoner. | 1126 - 1127 | |||
| Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279) | ||||||
| 10 | Song Gaozong (Zhao Gou) | The ninth son of Emperor Huizong who escaped the capture of the Jin court; He founded the weak Northern Song in Lin'an (currently Hangzhou). | 1127 - 1162 | |||
| 11 | Song Xiaozong (Zhao Shen) | He belonged to the seventh generation descendants of Emperor Taizu. | 1162 - 1189 | |||
| 12 | Song Guangzong (Zhao Dun) | The present Chongqing City was originally named by Guangzong, meaning ‘double celebration'. | 1189 - 1194 | |||
| 13 | Song Ningzong (Zhao Kuo) | In his reign, the cultural and intellectual achievements were abundant. | 1194 - 1224 | |||
| 14 | Song Lizong (Zhao Yun) | He was not interested in state affairs. In his reign, the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234) was destroyed in 1234. | 1224 - 1264 | |||
| 15 | Song Duzong (Zhao Qi) | Nephew of Emperor Lizong; His reign was full of rebellions and war affairs. | 1264 - 1274 | |||
| 16 | Song Gongdi (Zhao Xian) | Son of Emperor Duzong; His reign lasted for only two years then he abdicated to his elder brother. | 1275 - 1276 | |||
| 17 | Song Duanzong (Zhao Shi) | Son of Emperor Duzong; His reign also lasted for two years till his death. | 1276 - 1278 | |||
| 18 | Song Weiwang (Zhao Bing) | Younger brother of Duanzong and died at eight; Chancellor Lu Xiu carried him jumping into the sea after the Yuan army's invasion. | 1278 - 1279 | |||
Copyright© 1998-2009 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.
Travelers' Voices on Song Dynasty
1.
Jun. 10,2009 13:39 Reply
Mr.HOWARD(NEW MEXICO) said:
THIS IS BORING PUT PICTURES SO PEOPLE CONSIDER READING ARTICLES I THINK IT MIGT BE REALLY INTERSTING
2.
May. 19,2009 18:44 Reply
Mrs.allman(charlotte) said:
i need to know some really good questions for the emperor
3.
May. 13,2009 09:35 Reply
Ms.spice(USA) said:
i have a report due on friday aand i need to know more about the song dynasty. please help me. i need a good grade for the end of the school year
4.
May. 11,2009 21:55 Reply
Ms.:)(USA) said:
How did the rulers of this dynasty expand or unify China?? What occupations grew and were important during this dynasty?? What products were important during this dynasty?? What belief systmes did they encourage or discourage?? What works of art, literature, or music were important? How did they affect daily life??
Sorry, this is long, but its for a project!
thanks!
May. 13,2009 04:24
Mr.Derek(China) replied:
The first emperor of Song is Zhao Kuangyin. He once was a general of Latter Zhou State, which was one of the ten states in the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period.In the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period, China was not unified.In north China, there were five dynasties and in south China, there were ten states. But they were not powerful enough. Threat did exist among the states and the threat was also from the northern ethnic minorities. One day, the Latter Zhou heard that Northern Han and Qidan people wanted to fight against their country. Then, the general Zhao Kuangyin was asked to defend. On the way, Zhao Kuangyin's subordinates said the emperor of Latter Zhou was too young to dominate the country and they hoped Zhao was crowned. Zhao pretended to be unwilling to accept this request. At this moment, his brother put the emperor's robe on his back and declared Zhao was the emperor.
5.
May. 11,2009 19:59 Reply
Ms.jill(USA ) said:
hey! i have a project due tomorrow, and im freaking out! it has to be a children's book on the song dynasty. so far there's a little boy who is doing his geography project and he finds a time machine, that takes him back to the dynasty's. what should he do while he's in the song dynasty? please help, and fast!!
6.
Apr. 1,2009 21:26 Reply
Ms.Vaughnmiddle(San Fernando) said:
wat was song renzongs accomplishments?
May. 6,2009 20:25
Mr.Xu(CN) replied:
The reign of Song Renzong is the golden age of the Song Dynasty but also the starting point of Song's decline. He was a merciful emperor. He put capable officials in very important positions. On his reign, the Song Dynasty were often defeated by West Xia and Liao states. He was forced to send money, tea and silk to these ethnic minority states to sue for peace. The official Fan Zhongyan tried to reform but finally he failed.
7.
Apr. 28,2009 16:16 Reply
Ms.gabrielle(U.S.) said:
i need to know who the song dynasty rebelled and what the decline was in the song dynasty. tell me there major achievements, and there mistakes, and who ruled after them???????? tell me... i need to know for a school project.
Apr. 29,2009 20:30
Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
In the Song Dynasty, gunpowder has been used in wars. Compass and movable type printing were invented. Song is the climax of Chinese feudal times. It had a good lesson from the Five Dynasties. The Song government considered that the decline of the Five Dynasties was resulted from warlords. The Five Dynasties attach much importance on wars, arms and armies. Continuous wars made the country weak. Therefore, in the Song Dynasty, the government started to attach much importance on civil officials and decreased the number of military officials. However, in the same period, the ethnic minorities in North China such as Mongolians, Liao and Jin set up small countries. They are nomadic groups and good at riding horse and archery. Their countries became more and more powerful. So, they want to defeat the Song and conquered more lands. The Song Dynasty had to cope with many wars. The wars influenced economy very badly.The Song government was corrupt with the treacherous court officials.
8.
Apr. 28,2009 08:18 Reply
Mrs.latishaluvyou(boston) said:
this was a good help for me on my class work
9.
Apr. 27,2009 12:50 Reply
Mr.freecode45(San Marino) said:
i say its a good website if you need to know about it!
10.
Apr. 23,2009 11:32 Reply
Ms.target23(over there) said:
hey I need some info on their
Inventions, Economics,Religion, culture, who they traded with,and Technology!!!
please help me!!!!