How and Why Tang Dynasty Ended - Tang to Song Dynasty Transition

The Tang dynasty was one of imperial China’s golden ages. While An Lushan’s rebellion had often been attributed for the empire’s decline, not many have discussed the actual fall of the empire. So in this video, we are covering the actual disintegration of the empire and how the 5 dynasties and 10 kingdoms period started.
🕒[TIMESTAMP]🕒
0:00 Introduction
0:55 Effects of An Lushan's Rebellion
1:58 Jiedushi's Rise In Power
2:49 Eunuchs Gain Power
4:50 Huang Chao's Rebellion
8:40 Future 5 Dynasties Emperors
9:45 Warlordism
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Qin Dynasty Origin
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📚SOURCES:
舊唐書
新唐書
資治通鑑
Victor Cunrui Xiong, 2009, Historical Dictionary of Medieval China
David A. Graff, 2002, Medieval Chinese Warfare 300 -900
Wang Zhenping, 2013, Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia
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#History #Documentary #Asia

[@CoolHistoryBros]

I will cover the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period on the next episode. That period is quite the mess, so I will have to simplify it enough to make it easy for everyone to understand. Feel free to ask any questions if you have any, and I will answer it on the next episode.

[@darthvenator2487]

I am sure i will enjoy it.

[@Alexlinkerd]

Hey, if it’s possible, can you include the Chinese characters for some of the more important names in future videos? That’d help a lot

[@hishot1078]

Silla also broke down and civil war ignited between 889 to 936. The collapse of Tang also let Khitan become strong, crushing Balhae in 926. What a chaotic era.

[@darthvenator2487]

CJ how the chinese dynasties gets their names? For example, why Tang Dynasty instead of Li Dinasty since Li was their family name?

[@Alexlinkerd]

@@darthvenator2487 Other than the Yuan and the Ming whose names came from religious texts, most of the dynasties were named after the name of the tribe/ethnicity of its founding group, the preexisting title of the founding emperor, or the name of the place/region that the founders originated from.

[@AGS363]

It is very interesting how much the dynasties of china mirror the roman (and later byzantine) empire, especially in regard to the court intrigue, the devastating influence of eunuchs, the problems with military governors and the corruption. Truly, the human condition surpasses all countries and cultures.

[@davidt02]

We do see a pattern. The only difference is this patterns gets to happen over and over again in China while Roman history is linear.

[@EroticOnion23]

Just human nature man, look at the "eunuchs" currently within the US government...😁

[@dezopenguin9649]

Indeed; consider the parallels also to the later fall of the Heian period in Japanese history, with the Fujiwara and their control of the courts standing in for the eunuchs and the way that military power became in the control of families such as the Taira and Minamoto rather than the imperial government.

[@powerist209]

Well, still surprising how Romans managed to survive that long. Even if you see the "dark ages", we did see Eastern Roman Empire being prosperous by comparison (excluding Ostrogothic Italy, Vandal North Africa, and even Visigothic Spain). I mean Roman would have ended up with three states, Sassanid would have been the master of the Empire during Heraclius, Arabs and/or Bulgars would have rolled over Constantinople, or even Turkish Empire but with Seljuk at helm even with said court intrigue ruining things. Yet we have Aurelian reuniting the Empire, Heraclius turned the tide even though said war led to Arab conquest, Macedonian Dynasty not only held the Arabs but also retook the lands taken by Bulgars, and Komnenian Dynasty held the Seljuk at bay.

[@judsonwall8615]

The Romans and the Chinese were the only two empires in antiquity, until the Arabs, to have a highly centralized government. The centrality of their governments create issues that more feudal or less developed governments don’t see: namely, “inner court” intrigue, rather than “outer court.” In more loose ruling systems, like medieval European feudal societies, the number one concern for the ruler was maintaining the right balance with his dukes and counts. Very rarely would you see a coup from within. With Rome and China, it wasn’t as often about who had power outside of the capital, but who could gain power within the existing courtly power structure. That’s why eunuchs and queens and regents were able to take power in Rome and China, but you almost never hear of that in Norman societies and other feudal-based, or loose central power-based, governments. Basically, with the power to tax came the underbelly of court politics.

[@Kastor774]

- Military leaders gaining too much autonomy - Eunuchs controlling the emperor - Peasant rebellion China, I know you like Three Kingdoms, but to actually reenact it, damn that is dedication.

[@yohannessulistyo4025]

They do it several times, even when non-Chinese like Mongols and Manchurians ruling it, they can't escape the same thing. Qin's downfall is a bit of variations of it: - Warlords like Xiangyu's Chu royal family took the opportunity to call the banners and rebeled - Military leaders plotting with the imperial chief cabby or sometimes eunuch, Zhao Gao - Liu Bang the peasant rebelled They say: we all have to learn from the best. The winner always hides in the mountains: Liu Bang of Han hides in western Qin mountains waiting for Xiangyu to weaken Li Yuan of Tang's daughter, Princess Ping Yang also does the same while waiting for his forces to regroup Mao Zedong longmarched towards the same mountains while Chiang Kai-shek's organisation corrupts itself

[@alexlo7708]

@@yohannessulistyo4025 And American always hide from afar while it's agent fires up turmoil in Urasia continent.

[@Dou_Y]

@@yohannessulistyo4025 Manchurians are Chinese, and Mongols are one of the ethnic group of China

[@yulusleonard985]

@@Dou_Y Manchurian are Jurchen, they are separate ethnic group and does not count as Han people. Mongols also its own ethnic group.

[@Dou_Y]

@@yulusleonard985 So you don't oppose my opnion

[@426mak]

Damn those eunuchs, whenever a dynasty falls those half-men are always involved. (No offense to Sima Qian)

[@godzillamothra5983]

a good emperor need to know how to keep the balance of power among his officials, that mean sometimes the emperor need to curb, purge or divide his officials, once the balance of power is broken, it is the end.

[@nochance3914]

Same in Politics.

[@sarahhatesit]

Its beyond day making seeing you upload, such a guilty pleasure learning about the history of China since I ran into you, never thought I'd fall in love with something like this but you make it so easy, please have a wonderful day.

[@WildBillCox13]

Many dynasties across the ancient world (and more than a few today) fell when they tripped over a mountain of greed.

[@zhubajie6940]

Great summary! Awaiting your next two parts especially the rise of my favorite dynasty the Song.

[@johnrockwell5834]

Prosperity always brings it's ultimate nemesis. Like a final boss coming to crash your party.

[@darthvenator2487]

I was looking forward to this episode. I hope to know a lot more about the song dynasty in the future.

[@dma8728]

excellent video as always, good job

[@alirezarostami911]

If you ever become an emperor, always remember to NEVER trust the eunuchs.

[@lyhthegreat]

all empires would fall one day no matter how strong they once were...eunuchs, women, corruption..all of which can lead to a downfall of the empire.

[@nochance3914]

@@lyhthegreat Empire fell not because of any hidden law or whatever,they fall because new generations may be not as strong as their parent generation. This is very common even at small scale in local politics or decently rich families(upto 100 mil) or small scale companies.

[@lyhthegreat]

@@nochance3914 yeah, every passing generation is essentially a roll of the dice, and with every bad roll you get, your empire takes one step further towards it's decline and ultimate destruction.

[@CHRF-55457]

Man those eunuchs are like the Praetorian guards of Rome. The greatest great to the Emperor's continued existence.

[@EduardoRodriguez-jm8sz]

What an excellent episode!

[@ballsack6547]

Great content, respect from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@trunghieupham7304]

Thanks for the great episode as always! Will this series cover the events that would lead to Vietnamese independence in the 10th century? If so, what would be the starting point? From the very beginning or from the start of the 3rd domination?

[@tc2334]

Looking forward to you covering the Yuan Dynasty!

[@MrKeystroke]

I love your videos man you are a great modern historian

[@BloodnSteel]

Awesome video, great job covering this transition period.

[@exposingproxystalkingorgan4164]

This history video is well done. 👏

[@greenbean5186]

This might be the best history channel on youtube. Is it why it's underrated? Usually trash get popular on youtube.

[@sebastianjuara]

I love your videos!

[@vladimirprostran1896]

I love the voice of the narrator😁

[@patrickchong6579]

there's only one outcome for a dynasty when you let eunuchs manage the emperor.

[@jack-dn2uk]

That was fun series thenk you for all good videos you make I hope to see videos from mongols

[@acommon1]

Appreciate this

[@lordkent8143]

Man the pattern of every Chinese dynasty is like the first 3-5 Emperors were good or decent and then corruption, rebellion, foreign invasion, chaos, warlords, and then rebuilding.

[@CHRF-55457]

Yep

[@jessicag630]

Great video, interesting and as enthusiastic as usual. 1:10 What does "be ashed out by" mean by the way? Never heard that phrase in English.

[@CARL_093]

More please bro super like it

[@thecrusaderhistorian9820]

I can picture China thinking "Well crap. Here we go again." Great video!

[@michaelma8776]

fun fact: An LuShan is a turkic guy, and he is still always emerge in Chinese ppl's mind when every time some experts talking about absorbing immigrants.

[@user-du1pk2zi6s]

LOL

[@CHRF-55457]

...

[@samhendren9126]

Really looking forward to your video on the 5 Dynasties and 10 Kingdoms period! Do you know any good English history books or essays on the period or scholars who specialize in the time? All I've been able to find besides basic wiki articles is the Cambridge history of the Song dynasty's first chapter which covers the period.

[@sammcdermott4270]

I’ve been trying to find some good information about the period too but it’s very difficult. The Wikipedia biographies of many of the warlords and kings of the period are good and very detailed however only cite the original Chinese sources so I can’t attest if they are accurate or not. Apart from that I don’t think there is an lot of scholarly information in English on the period sadly

[@ryanwidjaja4252]

I hope that the Liao dynasty will be mentioned in the video about the 5 dynasties and 10 kingdoms.

[@landonsmith2154]

History definitely rhymes. I see some of this happening right now

[@EGFritz]

我爱唐朝. My favorite dynastty

[@hanchiman]

Gotta say... Tang China actually had the coolest armor in that time period.

[@nomanor7987]

Mountain Scale Armor

[@hanchiman]

@@nomanor7987 yes and also most of the weapons they used stayed for a long time until Guns was invented. Like the most of the curved sword that inspired the Japanese Tachi and also the Tang armor would later become the model for Japanese armor

[@songjunw8981]

Agree, Song dynasty is one of my least favourite period. For reasons

[@nomanor7987]

@@songjunw8981 I don’t know about that. Song didn’t have problems with eunuchs like Tang and Ming, Song was a meritocracy, Song saw a flowering of philosophy.

[@songjunw8981]

@@nomanor7987 I agree on that, but it's military is weak compared to the other dynasties

[@kweassa6204]

I'd suggest perhaps an episode about Tang's guanlong elites, and how they became a double-edged sword for the empire as their corruption became rampant and unchecked.

[@mmorpg9564]

long time no see.

[@MarcosVinicius-hg4uz]

Nice

[@lerneanlion]

If the fall of the Tang dynasy is what happened to the Galactic Empire in Star Wars instead of a one major rebellion with the desire to restore the Galactic Republic, this will make the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy a lot more awesome because there will be various states existed in the galaxy instead of the one central government that govern the area that appeared to be too big for one government.

[@treeislife]

Can you do a video about the NanZhao and DaLi which existed along side the Tang and Song? I am looking for info about the connection between NanZhao and DaLi to Sukhothai which is really hard to find. Anyone know any good English source on this?

[@ilari90]

Dang, that bell ring sounds like my doorbell, so I get alerted always: "Who's ringing the bell at midnight!"

[@MarcosVinicius-hg4uz]

Cool

[@antonstephen7934]

Hi, I have request, can you tell us about General Yue Fei from Song Dynasty? I used to watch the serial movies on betamax video when I was a kid. I don't know which one is the real story or just exagerated, and I kinda forget about the details too.

[@endless_tragedy7662]

He said he will do it when he reached the song dynasty

[@nomanor7987]

I’ve always wondered why China always had problems with eunuchs unlike say, the Ottoman Empire that also employed eunuchs.

[@davidt02]

It's a double edged sword with Eunuchs. The emporers need male advisors and housekeepers, but they can't have them banging his harem, so they found a way to hire people who won't do that. The problem is these people are going to be power-hungry because they are thinking with only one brain.

[@alessandrodelogu7931]

@@davidt02 I wonder in fact why no emperor ever realized this and abolished the eunuch system. Japanese shoguns had big harems too, but they didn't have eunuchs, so there was really no need for them.

[@digitaljanus]

The Mandate of Heaven was a legitimate opening for challengers to the Imperial throne, and the huge harems of the Chinese emperors meant there were multiple potential heirs who could be used as a rallying point for various factions with designs on power. Whereas the Ottoman Empire was ruled by the House of Osman from its inception to its dissolution, and the fratricidal succession practices for most of the Empire's existence ensured there were no other spare heirs lying around to challenge the Sultan. Or maybe it was the kind of positions eunuchs were allowed to hold.

[@krimzonstriker7534]

I can hear the clapping of mongol horses on the horizon...

[@CoffeeSuccubus]

Sad how the Tang went from the cosmopolitan empire to repeating the same mistakes from the past...

[@vincently1995]

The Fall of Tang Dynasty and The Rise of Song Dynasty

[@bradypus55]

I guess it looks like the next video is gonna be really complicated if this was just the introduction

[@fraderiktan1505]

i find it coincidental how both han dynasty and tang dynasty were known as the golden age and both fall because of eunuch and the method was similar using emperor as a puppet and replacing it with younger one just remind me of dongzhuo tactic look like history did repeat itself once again

[@bosbanon3452]

Warlodism also happened in the fal of Qing Dynasty

[@ww3032]

Hey where are you from? Your accent sounds singaporean/Malaysian.

[@jesurenbnb]

Do the mongol yuan dynasty

[@anthonywalker6268]

I'm noticing a pattern with Eunuchs.

[@NicolasTheKingphoenix10]

Tang Taizong:-What did they do to my boy?

[@nomanor7987]

The question should be why Tang China didn’t go the way of Japan and revert to the Warring States. Why didn’t the Jiedeshi not become the Daimyo of China?

[@kennywong4239]

Huh? The Tang dynasty did go the way of warring states. The Jiedushi evolved into the 5 dynasties and 10 kingdoms. However, almost all were conquered by the Song dynasty, except Annam which broke off permanently.

[@nomanor7987]

@@kennywong4239 but it didn’t last, the Song were not the Tokugawa.

[@davidt02]

@@nomanor7987 The Tokugawa didn't have the Khitans, Jin, and Mongols invading them in succession over 3 centuries.

[@kennywong4239]

@@nomanor7987 I don't think 80 years (880-960) is a fairly short time. (880 when Huang Chao rebellion became the game changer that broke the control of the central government) That's almost 4 generations of war!

[@yohannessulistyo4025]

The same reason why Britain can last that long without much turmoil compared to their Continental counterparts: protected by the sea. Japan is an island nation with not much of successful invasion attempts.

[@anasevi9456]

It seems with every fracturing of the middle kingdom, Yan pops up again and again. Prince Dan was right; they never did surrender.

[@pradyumn2692]

Tang emperor should've learnt from Han dynasty as to what happens when Eunuchs gain power

[@lyhthegreat]

most chinese dynasties except the song dynasty fell directly to internal revolts it seems

[@Huobaojiqi]

Yes we are our own biggest enemy...

[@thvl2018]

tldr: in an attempt to prevent Zhou Dynasty situation (local lords and generals have too much power), Xuanzong counterbalanced it with Han Dynasty 2.0 (castrated men was given a bigger stick to swing)

[@2345Z]

Have you seen the Smudcast covering your video of Asian honor?

[@CoolHistoryBros]

Oh? I should check it out.

[@2345Z]

@@CoolHistoryBros So, have you seen it and what do you think?

[@CoolHistoryBros]

@@2345Z Just a bit of it. It's quite funny. Apparently, they seem to be a bunch of anime fans who think that they know a lot about Japan without ever having read any actual Japanese literature.

[@2345Z]

@@CoolHistoryBros What examples of Japanese literature you would recommend?

[@CoolHistoryBros]

@@2345Z Start with something very beginner friendly like Haruki Murakami's novels. Then go to early westernised Japanese literature such as Natsume Soseki's I am a cat and works around that time period. Then go into Edo folk stories such as Jiraiya's legend and so on. Then go to historical biographies such as the biography of Oda Nobunaga by Ota Gyuichi. Slowly go backwards in time.

[@animation1234111]

A salt smuggler rebel? Did anybody comment on that similarity between Wang Xianzhi and the Nian Rebellion leader Zhang Lexing?

[@6principlesforcartography61]

That is because when salt trade was controlled by state, smuggling salt is illegal and becomes a form of organized crime. Smugglers usually had personal power in the underworld like today's gangsters, which made it possible for them to organize a rebellion.

[@yohaneschristianp]

Actually you can watch 不良人 to learn about end of Tang Dynasty. Mostly fictions but names are quite right.

[@fiendish9474]

Oh come on, the period can't be that confusing *sees two kingdoms of Wu* Nevermind

[@conho4898]

People say Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, but they don't include Vietnam, which was also a Jiedushi of the time and was considered a kingdom of China. The only difference is that it was the only one that was able to break off from China.

[@lyhthegreat]

because i guess doing so might anger the vietnamese? they wanted nothing to do with china now afaik...anyway i think it was only northern vietnam.

[@conho4898]

@@lyhthegreat northern vietnam was the complete Vietnam back then.

[@lyhthegreat]

@@conho4898 oh, southern vietnam was champa?

[@conho4898]

@@lyhthegreat yes it was Champa, not Vietnam yet.

[@cudanmang_theog]

@@conho4898 yes your racist and ultranationalist rationale is hilarious. You think a monolothic Vietnam always existed two thousand years ago?

[@CARL_093]

Balhea start fall sillAs fall and rise of goryeo nxt please

[@conradojavier7547]

what's with Ball-less Men having more Balls than the Emperor in Ancient China?

[@ZhangK71]

Simplified (but still largely accurate) explanation: 1. Emperors started getting spoiled and lax from all their privilege and material comforts 2. They leave power to the eunuchs 3. The eunuchs cultivated their influence over the military, including, most concerningly, the "praetorian guard" of the emperor 4. Military power ultimately means power in general 5. The eunuchs have more power than the emperor, and can order around the supposed ruler over all heaven and earth 6. It would seem, they "have more balls" than the emperor

[@MCorpReview]

Anlushan is one ☝️ of my favorite 🤩 characters. A lowly expat who made good 👍 n tried to takeover from d inside. Will u b doing a vid on d ten kingdoms?

[@garlicdemon1]

It's funny to imagine that the entire fall of the Tang, was due to An Lushan getting tired of being made fun of by the Empress, for being fat.

[@ikengaspirit3063]

I blame HER for this.

[@papazataklaattiranimam]

Happy Turkic noises 😅

[@changlong6549]

you are a Da-sha-bi

[@bryanjames7528]

Misread the title as Tsang Shung lol

[@christopherellis2663]

How did the Tang go?

[@elshebactm6769]

🤠👍🏿

[@tonbopro]

Finally，the most befuddled and neglected period in collective Chinese and Oriental History，precisely because it was so messy，that led to the present mix of foreign affairs， thx Bros

[@alirezaasgharzadeh4923]

VG

[@songjunw8981]

i can't believe he didn't cry during Titanic!👧🏼 do men even have feelings? 👧🏻 Tang dynasty ended and enter the five dynasties and ten kingdoms period 👨🏻😢😢😢

[@supremercommonder]

Did the battle of talas have any role since Arabs did send troops to help against the rebellion

[@yorkhunt1251]

We might be witnessing another crash and burn.

[@isaacstone7899]

New China is today’s new dynasty?

[@djtan3313]

Fark d eunuchs.

[@lyhthegreat]

first

[@USERZ123XD]

So almost same reason as Han dynasty.

[@kelele]

These damn eunuch.. always the cause of downfall of a dynasty

[@emmapinn5216]

Algorithm support comment

[@xz1891]

五代十国

[@jeffreyschweitzer8289]

Everything is so perfect except that Southern accent…it’s An Lushan not An Lusan 😂

[@tangren3370]

Haha true I was thinking the same😂 The content is top-notch but CJ's Southern accent in pronouncing names sometimes confuses me, because some words would in this way change meaning in Putonghua (for example 'Zhu' becomes 'Zu' which is a different word)... Fortunately he does provide pinyin transcriptions though👍😊

[@jeffreyschweitzer8289]

@@tangren3370 滋道了 I mean 知道了

[@tangren3370]

@@jeffreyschweitzer8289 Perfect example🤣🤣 㝍 得 好 啊! 👍👍

[@booaks2980]

Sui or song dynasty is probably the least popular and least interesting period of ancient China

[@TL-fe9si]

Song is actually pretty interesting. Sui, not so much, it's also very short in comparison.

[@lovedavis7376]

china has so much rich fascinating history its a shame our countries governments cant get along. just know not all Americans are bad

[@user-yh4pc2id8b]

🤝🤝

[@johnl9361]

An Lushan was a Turk who got the equivalent of an affirmative action diversity job. The collapse of the Tang Dynasty was due to their cosmopolitan hubris. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@widodoakrom3938]

Battle of talas in 751 AD against the Islamic caliphate os the real reason why tang dynasty fell apart

[@MrYourDry]

Cause they were trash 🙄