Picture: Map of the Sui Dynastyhttp://www.chinatownconnection.com/images/suidynastymap.gif
Reason for Takeover
During China’s dark times, China’s many different provinces were in war with each other for over 300 years. Then Yang Chien, an official of Northern Zhou stepped up to unite China under his rule. To stop the raging battles among different groups, Yang Chien led his men on a campaign. After many successful conquer, China was then united. Yang Chien placed himself emperor and the Sui Dynasty had begun. (EMuseum 2007)
Picture: Coins of the Sui Dynastyhttp://www.anythinganywhere.com/commerce/coins/coinpics/chin-fd651-white.jpg
Leaders of the Civilization
The Sui Dynasty was brief; only two leaders, Emperor Wen Ti (Yang Chien) and his son Emperor Yang Ti (Yang Kuang) had ruled before the Sui fell apart. Emperor Wen Ti was known as the ‘Unifier of China’, a strategic individual, who was successful in many battles. (EMuseum 2007) Wen Ti used the Han dynasty’s method of choosing the government officials through universities and examinations. The smartest of the men would be selected to serve the country (women weren’t allowed at that time.) Wen Ti died young. (Karen 2007)
Picture: Emperor Wen Ti (Middle)http://www.crystalinks.com/sui.gif
His son Yang Kuang however was a brute ruler; there are unproven stories that he might have assassinated his own father to take his place (thus the young death of his father). Yang Kuang who named himself Emperor Yang Ti forced his people to labor to construct the Great Canal. And wanting to spread his empire, Yang Ti attacked Koguryo (North Korea) several times but failed every trial. (EMuseum 2007)
A Leader from another Civilization
During the Sui Dynasty, Korea was divided into three significant kingdoms and wars raged among them. In one of the kingdoms, Koguryo, Elji Mundoek, a skilled general successfully defended his kingdom from frequent attacks from the other two kingdoms and the Chinese army of Emperor Yang Ti himself. Eulji Mundeok was talented in both war strategy and politics. He eventually became the prime minister of Koguryo. He died after fighting to protect the Shin Fortress. (Digital Korean Studies 2007)
Picture: Eulji Mundoekhttp://www.koreandb.net/General/person/p121_08812.htm
Accomplishments
Although the Great Canal was made through forced labor, it played an important role in improving China’s economy. Granaries made around the cities also helped to produce more surplus of goods. The Great Wall of China was fortified along the northern borders and Confucianism became popular when Emperor Yang Ti adopted the Confucian method of education. Buddhism and Taoism also became popular. (EMuseum 2007)
Picture: Ying Yang; the symbol of Taoism.http://www.uucheyenne.org/images/taoism_big.jpg
Reason for fall
Emperor Yang Ti produced a great army of millions of men and attacks Koguryo. However his great army was soundly destroyed and the angered army generals assassinated him, thus ending the Sui dynasty. (EMuseum 2007)
Picture: The Koguryo army advancing to meet the intruders.http://www.kjclub.com/UploadFile/exc_board_11/2005/08/11/200508112033.jpg
Works Cited:
“Sui Dynasty” China EMuseum 2007 January 9, 2008.
<http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/classical_imperial_china/sui.html>
Carr, Karen. "(Sui Dynasty)" Kidipede - History for Kids. 2007. January 13, 2008. http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/history/sui.htm
“Eulji Mundoek” Digital Korean Studies 2007. January 13, 2008. <http://www.koreandb.net/General/person/p121_08812.htm>
