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Sui Dynasty Background (Year: 588 - 618)


Chinese symbol for Sui DynastyChina was reunified in A.D. 589 by the short-lived Sui dynasty (A.D. 588-618), which has often been compared to the earlier Qin dynasty in tenure and the ruthlessness of its accomplishments. The Sui dynasty's early demise was attributed to the government's tyrannical demands on the people, who bore the crushing burden of taxes and compulsory labor. These resources were overstrained in the completion of the Grand Canal a monumental engineering feat and in the undertaking of other construction projects, including the reconstruction of the Great Wall.

In 581 emperor Wen had founded the Sui dynasty in Chang'an. The second and last emperor of this short dynasty was emperor Yang. In this time China began its expeditions to other Asian countries over the sea. There built many canals which helped the economy between North China and South China. The Northern walls were built longer, because of the Mongols. In 618 general Li Yuan marched in Chang'an and founded the Tang dynasty. After him his son Li Shimin became emperor of China. The canals were built more and more and the economy got better.

There were two capitals Chang'an and Luoyang, but Chang'an was the more important capital. Both capitals are situated near the Huang He. Chang'an was built up. It had very strong walls for the defending. Here was also the palace, all the officials and buddistical and taoistical temples. In the 7th century there was a great expansion of China. In the western territories China fought which Turks and Tibetians. China won and could place his borders into the west. Korea and Vietnam have been also occupied. This was the first big expansion of Chinese empire.

Weakened by costly and disastrous military campaigns against Korea in the early seventh century, the Sui Dynasty disintegrated through a combination of popular revolts, disloyalty, and assassination.

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