Question

During the song dynasty, china was one of the most developed countries in the world. What features of that dynasty provide evidence supporting that judgment?

Answer 1

During the Song dynasty, China was one of the most developed countries in the world. This dynasty consisted of the Northern Song and the Southern Song. With a prosperous economy and radiant culture, this period was considered as a period of golden age after the glorious Tang Dynasty. Few inventions were made during this period like- printing, paper money, porcelain, tea, restaurants, gunpowder, compass etc. This vibrant period in Chinese history was marked by economic prosperity and remarkable technological innovation. This era was a culturally rich and sophisticated age for China. There were advancements in the field of visual arts, music, literature, and philosophy etc.

Answer 2

The Song dynasty lasted from 960 AD until 1279 AD in China. It was a period of enormous development, progress and population growth in Chinese history. Its advancements in technology, art, philosophy, science and economy made China one of the most developed countries in the world at the time, as can be seen from the dynasty’s list of accomplishments:

• First government to issue banknotes or paper money nationally.
• First Chinese government to establish a permanent standing navy.
• First known use of gunpowder.
• First ones to establish the true north by using a compass.
• The population of China doubled in size between the 10th and 11th centuries, which led to an economic revolution.
• Invented movable-type printing. Woodblock printing expanded, and with it, knowledge and literature spread.
• New philosophical interpretations of Confucius gave rise to Neo-Confucianism.
• It witnessed the shift from a military-aristocratic elite to a bureaucratic one.