In Other Words...
The Economic Revolution
+ Weak Military
= Trade!
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The Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), specifically the Northern Song Dynasty, had a huge economic revolution from 960 to 1127 AD, with this economic revolution, they were able to avoid fighting, unlike many other dynasties, which had focused on gaining power with violence. The Song took a different approach since their military was not very strong. The Song Dynasty thrived because they were able to override their weakness (fighting) with their strong point (their economy). The Song Dynasty’s economic revolution overrode their weak military, which is shown when the Song Dynasty defused violence with trade agreements.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, the economy was greatly imporved when there was a growth in population and trading. “Between ... 960 and ... 1127, China passed through a phase of economic growth that was unprecedented in earlier Chinese history, perhaps in world history up to this time.” 1 The “population [had] reached 100 million [in year 1100 making] China [the] largest country in the world at the time.” 2 The population growth was caused because of the increase in money and food supply. In addition to population growth, trade also became more organized and successful. More things were being sold and merchants were more structured. Specifically, silk and ceramics were very popular trade items. When Marco Polo visited the Yangzi River to trade, he commented on the popularity and success of the trade there: “I assure you this river flows so far and traverses so many countries and cities that in good sooth there pass and repass on its waters a great number of vessels, and more wealth and merchandize than on all the rivers and all the seas of Christendom put together!” 3 Considering the population boom and the thriving trade, the Northern Song Dynasty had a very eminent economy. Although the economy was clearly very notable, the military, on the other hand, was very weak, which is shown by the small amount of land it covered and the fact that it was overthrown quite easily. 4 The Song Dynasty was evidently not “militarily dominant” and the size of their territory proved that. The Song Dynasty ended due to “political corruption and invasions from external tribes, and civilian uprisings [which had already] weakened the Northern Song Dynasty. [The dynasty fell] due to weak military strength [and so it] was not able to withstand the invasion from the Jin Dynasty ... in 1127 [which ended] the Northern Song Dynasty.” 5 The Song Dynasty’s weak military eventually caused the dynasty to end on a sour note. Despite its weak military, the Song Dynasty was able to thrive for many years because they substituted trade for military. They were able to avoid violence by “[defusing the constant military threats] by making payments of silk and other goods ... according to negotiated agreements.” 6 Specifically these arrangements were created so that the Song’s rivals (the Khitans, the Jurchens and the Mongols) wouldn’t invade. “The Song made efforts to buy peace by agreeing to make annual payments of money and silk to [their rivals] in exchange for their agreement not to invade.” 7 This consensus operated well, as the Song Dynasty managed to avoid violence until 1127 AD, when the Northern Song ended. The Song Dynasty finally fell because their military was not strong enough to hold back the invaders, and when it did end, their thriving economic revolution also came to an end. Even so, the Song Dynasty was very important, as they survived solely on their economy and not at all from fighting for territory. A powerful economy can be just as useful as a powerful army. The Song Dynasty is firsthand proof of this. The Song Dynasty made an impact on China’s future just as all the other dynasties did, but this impact didn’t leave bloodstains on humanity. 1 Philip D. Curtain in Cross-Cultural Trade in World History (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008), as quoted in David Northrup, “Globalization and the Great Convergence: Rethinking World History in the Long Term,” Journal of World History 16, no. 3 (2005): 258. 2 The Song Economic Revolution: The Population Boom. The Song Dynasty in China. http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/song/econ/pop.htm 3 Marco Polo and Rustichello of Pisa, “Book Second, Part III, Chapter LXXI: Concerning the City of Sinju and the Great River Kian,” in The Book of Ser Marco Polo: The Venetian Concerning Kingdoms and Marvels of the East, translated and edited by Colonel Sir Henry Yule, Volume 2 (London: John Murray, 1903). 4 Primary Source Document with Questions (DBQs) on: Remonstrance Against the New Laws. The Song Dynasty in China. http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/song/. 5 Rise and Fall of the Song Dynasty. http://www.csun.edu/~kaddison/song1.htm 6 Primary Source Document with Questions (DBQs) on: Memorial Crop Loans Measure. The Song Dynasty in China. http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/song/. 7 Song Engagement with the Outside World. The Song Dynasty in China. http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/song/out/rivals.htm |