Tang Dynasty’s success and stability can be compared to the success and the reign of the Han Dynasty. Both dynasties have been able to reunite the vast land in China under one ruler. The ascendance of these two dynasties came after the fall of a ruthless ruler. In the case of the Tang Dynasty, it was preceded by the Sui Dynasty. Sui Dynasty can be considered as ruthless as they taxed peasants heavily and force hard labor. It was weakened due to failed battles against Korea until the succession of Tang Dynasty. The initial effort of the Sui dynasty to unify the lands contributed to the success of the Tang Dynasty. This dynasty can be considered as a period of political stability and economic power. It also produced great contribution to culture and the arts. Thus, it is considered to be the highest point of Chinese civilization. Tang Dynasty, which lasts from 618 CE to 907 CE, have encountered unrest during the latter half of its reign and has resulted in its eventual decline (Spodek).
During the Tang Dynasty, the Silk Road has been an important tool in trading and merchandise exchange with the Western region. It became an important trading route to China as they exchange goods; and more so the exchange of ideas and beliefs. Several disturbances and unrest in the region happened during the latter half of Tang ruling. The military efforts have been concentrated on other battles to conquer more lands. As this happens, several bandits and efforts from the Mongols to control several parts of the Silk Road gave a troublesome situation for traders and merchants to safely go to Chinese trading points. This has led to decline in commercial trade with other countries and kingdoms. Although, several efforts have been made to fight off the rebellion in these regions, it still made some effect to deter merchants from coming in the Chinese region. The stability of the earlier part of the Tang Dynasty gave more confidence to traders and merchants to cross the Silk Road. The stability of the government also gave the chance of economic power to increase, thereby increasing demands. And it becomes a great opportunity for commercialization thus inviting international traders to come in and foster healthy exchange of goods. However, during the decline, international trade has been the only one affected; and commercial locally has been the same.
Religion has also contributed to the effect of international trade. Aside from the exchange of merchandise and goods, beliefs and ideas have also infiltrated the Chinese culture. Different missionaries brought in different beliefs and religious system like Buddhism and Taoism. In the later reign of Tang Dynasty, when political and economic states have started to weaken, Emperor Wu-tsung, a Taoist devotee, attempted to close all Buddhist temples to amass their wealth. The government change in perspective towards Buddhism and foreign traders affect the cultural and commercial exchange. By 836 CE, Chinese government prohibits foreigners to prevent the assimilation of new ideas and beliefs. The changes discourage cultural exchange, but foreign merchandise and goods, a well.
The decline in Tang Dynasty resulted to a disruption of foreign trade within the country. The political unrest may not be an attractive commercial point for a trader. Safety issues could be attributed to the decline in foreign traders. Foreign permits could also dampen the frequency of foreigners coming in. Foreigners need permission to enter the territories of the Tang Dynasty. But moreover, foreign trade is directly affected by the government’s power.
References
Spodek, Howard. The World's History, Volume 1: Prehistory to 1500. 3rd ed. NJ: Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.
