Political Changes In The Sui Dynasty

After the fall of the Han Dynasty, the Chinese lived in a state of political unrest until the start of the Sui dynasty. The Sui dynasty lead to the post-Classical age of East China. During this time there were many continuities from the Classical Era to the post-Classical Era such as the continuation of the civil service examination and the tributary system. By the same token, there was also many changes including the opening of China’s borders and the rule of the Mongols. The civil service examination was a continuity that came from the Classical Han dynasty that continued into the post-Classical Sui, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasty. The civil service examination was a test that people in the Chinese empire took in order to work for the government. These exams lead to the creation of bureaucracy in China. When the Sui dynasty took over following the warring states period, the civil service examination was reinstituted. Notably, the Song dynasty was one that heavily enforced this examination and lead to the political success of the dynasty. The tributary system was a system that China used to control areas around them. They forced other countries (such as Korea, Vietnam, and Japan) to pay tribute to them and recognize China as superiors. The system was instituted in the Classical Han dynasty

In the Classical Age, China was isolated and had little to do with trade as rulers of the Classical Age dynasties believed trade wasn’t necessary. However, under the post-Classical dynasties the borders were opened. This political decision allowed the economy of East Asia to flourish. This also allowed the Chinese to learn from other empires and adapt their politics to the way other post-Classical societies ruled. An example of such took place in the Yuan dynasty. The governments of the Mongol’s Khanates and the later Islamic Caliphates had an impact on that of China’s