China is known for the Four Great Inventions
-Compass
-Papermaking
-Printing
-Gunpowder
-Compass
-Papermaking
-Printing
-Gunpowder
Tang Dynasty Background
The Tang Dynasty replaced the Sui Dynasty in 618 and ruled China for nearly 300 years. The rulers of Tang united China and built up a strong centralized government. The Tang capital was located at Chang'an where over a million people had lived at the time.
The Tang Dynasty was an age of cultural accomplishment and prosperity. Many historians consider the Tang Dynasty to be the golden era for the Chinese civilization. Buddhism during this time period had also spread across most of China and in Chinese schools.
In 755, a rebellion led by a General named An Lushan began a gradual decline of the Tang Dynasty.
Rebellions in the late 800's further weakened the power of the Tang Dynasty. This Dynasty was finally ended in 907. It wasn't until 960 that the Song Dynasty took control of the country.
The Tang Dynasty was an age of cultural accomplishment and prosperity. Many historians consider the Tang Dynasty to be the golden era for the Chinese civilization. Buddhism during this time period had also spread across most of China and in Chinese schools.
In 755, a rebellion led by a General named An Lushan began a gradual decline of the Tang Dynasty.
Rebellions in the late 800's further weakened the power of the Tang Dynasty. This Dynasty was finally ended in 907. It wasn't until 960 that the Song Dynasty took control of the country.
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Basics About Gunpowder
Gunpowder is an explosive material made up of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate that burns rapidly to form high-pressure gas. Expansion of this gas inside the barrel of a gun can accelerate a bullet to very high speed. The first forms of gunpowder were black powder.
This invention spread westward towards Europeans and Arabs around 1200. It wasn't until the 1800's that smokeless gunpowder was invented.
This invention spread westward towards Europeans and Arabs around 1200. It wasn't until the 1800's that smokeless gunpowder was invented.
China Before Gunpowder
Before Gunpowder was invented and transitioned onto the battlefield, one of the Chinese armies most popular weapon was the crossbow. Crossbows that were used during this time period were made of wood and during battle were fired with two man teams.
Before Gunpowder was invented and transitioned onto the battlefield, one of the Chinese armies most popular weapon was the crossbow. Crossbows that were used during this time period were made of wood and during battle were fired with two man teams.
It wasn't until the year 905 where the first actual gun was invented. This gun was called a fire-lance. The first fire-lance models were pretty much just a roman candle tied to a spear. These were mostly used for defending city walls and could act as a flame thrower for about five minutes.
These were not the most accurate of weapons but at the time put the Chinese at a technological advantage to their enemies. It wasn't until the year 1264 that rockets were invented and introduced into warfare.
These were not the most accurate of weapons but at the time put the Chinese at a technological advantage to their enemies. It wasn't until the year 1264 that rockets were invented and introduced into warfare.
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What gunpowder as turned into today
Because of gunpowder the world has advanced its weaponry tremendously. Weapons now compared to the time of the Tang Dynasty have developed and improved in accuracy and firepower by a wide margin.
Some of todays weapons that still use gunpowder are: the M16, AK-47, and just about every other rifle, handgun, and shotgun that you can think of.
Because of gunpowder the world has advanced its weaponry tremendously. Weapons now compared to the time of the Tang Dynasty have developed and improved in accuracy and firepower by a wide margin.
Some of todays weapons that still use gunpowder are: the M16, AK-47, and just about every other rifle, handgun, and shotgun that you can think of.