Kaifeng

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Peter Bol and Ed Glaeser explore the historical transformation of Chinese cities, focusing on the shift from Chang'an to Kaifeng. The Tang Empire's fall led to a southern fragmentation and northern dynastic instability. The Song dynasty's choice of Kaifeng as its capital marked a pivotal moment, with the city's commercial prominence influencing urban hierarchies. The Grand Canal played a crucial role in linking economic prosperity with political power. The conversation highlights the unique evolution of Kaifeng from a commercial hub to a political center, reflecting a broader trend where commerce became politically independent, leading to the Song dynasty's innovative taxation strategies that favored commercial wealth over agriculture.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Tang Empire's fall led to the fragmentation of Chang'an and the emergence of multiple states in the south, with the north experiencing a succession of short-lived dynasties.
• 🏙️ The Song dynasty reunified China and chose Kaifeng, a commercial city, as its capital, marking a shift in the traditional political and administrative center to a more commercial one.
• 🌊 The Grand Canal, established under the Sui Dynasty, played a crucial role in connecting the prosperous southeast with the northern capital, facilitating trade and economic growth.
• 📈 The shift of China's population and commercial wealth to the south was a significant factor in the development of a hierarchy of cities, including Suzhou, Yangzhou, and Hangzhou.
• 🛣️ The Grand Canal, along with the Yangtze River, was essential for the economic and demographic changes that occurred during the Song dynasty.
• 🏙️ Unlike Western cities that often transition from political to commercial hubs, Kaifeng rose first as a commercial center and then became a political capital, remaining a commercial city.
• 🏡 The Song dynasty could not restore the Tang system of wards with walls, indicating a departure from a unified hierarchy of status, power, wealth, culture, and religion.
• 🌐 The elites and political leaders of the Song dynasty were more dispersed, with cultural figures and officials retiring and moving to various cities rather than the capital.
• 📊 In 1077, evidence shows a divergence between the economic and administrative hierarchies, with market towns sometimes generating more commercial tax than higher administrative seats.
• 💼 Commerce became independent of politics during the Song dynasty, with the government learning to tax the economy effectively, leading to increased revenue from commerce over agricultural tax.

Q & A

What significant change occurred in China during the transition from the Tang to the Song dynasty?

The significant change was the shift of the capital from Chang'an to Kaifeng, a commercial city on a canal close to the Yellow River, which marked a move east of the passes and a focus on commerce in addition to administration.

Why did the Song dynasty choose Kaifeng as its capital instead of Chang'an?

The Song dynasty chose Kaifeng because of its strategic location on a canal near the Yellow River and its status as a commercial center, which was more conducive to the dynasty's economic and administrative needs.

What role did the Grand Canal play in the development of Chinese cities?

The Grand Canal played a crucial role by linking the prosperous and fertile southeast with the northern capital, facilitating trade and contributing to the economic growth of cities along its route.

How did the shift of the population and commercial wealth to the south affect the development of Chinese cities?

The shift led to the rise of cities in the south, such as Suzhou, Yangzhou, and Hangzhou, which became major cities alongside the northern capital, creating a hierarchy of cities with diverse economic and administrative functions.

What was unique about Kaifeng's development as a political city?

Unlike many Western cities where political cities become commercial hubs, Kaifeng rose first as a commercial hub and then became a political city while retaining its commercial character.

How did the Song dynasty's approach to city planning differ from the Tang dynasty's?

The Song dynasty did not restore the Tang system of wards with walls around them, indicating a shift away from a unified hierarchy of status, power, wealth, culture, and religion.

What changes occurred in the distribution of cultural and political elites during the Song dynasty?

During the Song dynasty, cultural and political elites no longer congregated solely in the capital. Instead, they spread out to other cities, and leading figures often retired to various locations rather than the capital.

What evidence from 1077 indicates a divergence between economic and administrative hierarchies in the Song dynasty?

The map from 1077 shows that market towns could have more commercial tax revenue than county seats, and county seats could have more than prefectural seats, indicating a separation of economic and administrative hierarchies.

How did the Song dynasty's approach to taxation reflect the changing relationship between commerce and politics?

The Song dynasty learned to tax the economy effectively, resulting in more wealth and revenue coming from commerce rather than agricultural tax, showing commerce had become independent of politics.

What was the significance of the Grand Canal's restoration after the Sui Dynasty's conquest?

The restoration of the Grand Canal was significant as it ensured the continued connectivity and economic prosperity between the southeast and the northern capital, supporting the growth of cities along its route.

How did the Song dynasty's capital Kaifeng differ from Chang'an in terms of city layout and function?

Kaifeng, unlike Chang'an which had a grid layout, was a commercial city chosen for its strategic location and economic potential, rather than primarily for administrative purposes.