Collapse of Xian Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty 900 - 907

The Tang dynasty was one of the most prestigious and powerful of all the Chinese imperial dynasty, but despite this they were unable to withstand the destiny that all regimes are doomed to experience, the collapse of power. It has been said that no matter what the accomplishments of a particular leadership, they are doomed to see their own demise. The Tang dynasty saw their demise as well. This period is known as Tang Dynasty 900 - 907.

The Beginning of the End

Although the time frame of 900-907 is often considered to be the death years of the Tang dynasty the actual collapse started more than a century before and the course was laid fifty years prior. The first major cracks in the foundation of the dynasty's control. This was due to the tragic events surrounding the An Shi Rebellion. This rebellion and the controversy of the actions that were taken by the dynasty to put it down began a decline in the moral and political support of the Tang's that would eventually lead to their loss of power.

An Attempt at Recovery

The control that the dynasty was able to wield over the central government and subsequently the empire was weakened due to the damage that events like the An Shi Rebellion and natural disasters did to the reputation amongst the people. The opinion of the people started a steady decline that even with reforms and civic action programs the dynasty could not stop. For a brief few years it appeared that the tide was going to turn in favor of the dynasty but then a new series of rebellions came up as well as the formation of the bandit armies. This was all too much for the dynasty and their power base was steadily weakened.

Apathy Leads to Failure

Another of the biggest concerns that the dynasty had to deal with during the declining years was a steady succession of apathetic leaders. The Leadership of the government seemed uninterested and unmotivated to do anything other than their most basic of jobs. This lead to a increase in the corruption level amongst the bureaucracy and a failing of the people to be able to count on their government with any certainty or trust.

Things Just Get Worse

The natural disasters and the amassing of power amongst the jiedushi who sought a autonomous control was another major factor in the death of the dynasty. These items led the Tang to be in a position that they were forced to make major concessions amongst their critics in order to attempt to regain a stable reputation amongst the people. Another rebellion also was on the rise. The Huang Chao Rebellion which ran from 874 to 884 was elemental in the loss of the dynasties ability to control the empire. The rebels took out the cities of Chang'an and Luoyang, which crippled the military community and left the dynasty with a precarious position.

This is the Certainty of the End . . .

Soon the rebels were replaced by a news and much more treacherous enemy. Bandit armies were soon ravishing the countryside and looting cities. Some of these armies were large enough in size that the weakened military was unable to combat theme effectively. This lead to a further degradation of the opinion of the people as to the ability of the Tangs to rule the empire effectively and set the way for a welcoming of change in leadership. That new leadership would come from within the military itself.

This is the End.

In 907 the hundreds of years the Tang Dynasty ruled and all the advancement that they had fostered for the people of chine were brought to and end when Zhu Wen, a military governor of several important provinces, led the military in a revolt against Emperor Ai of Tang. Upon seizing the imperial court and declaring himself emperor, and establishing the dynasty of Later Liang as the ruling body of the empire. He sealed the fate of the Tang one year after his coup took place. Almost to the day that the emperor had been deposed he was treated to a fine meal at a summer palace as the guest of the new emperor. It would prove to be his last meal, as the men dined quietly together the poisoned food given to the Tang emperor ended the family line and life of the last emperor of the Tang

As you can see the fall of the Tang Dynasty was set on its course many years before the actual collapse of the kingdom happened. Many things contributed to the fate of the Tang Dynasty 900 - 907, as is the case in most regime endings. The Tang dynasty may have ended over 1100 years ago but many of the advancements and influences that they left behind still have an impact on our global society and culture to this day.