In 960 A.D. a military commander Zhao Kuangyin took control of the empire and established the Song Dynasty. For the next 300 years the Song emperors ruled China from their “new” capital of Kaifeng.
The Song Dynasty emperors collected taxes and then used these taxes to build projects that helped to grow the economy of the empire. A new middle class grew in China as well as rich city residents.
New technologies were developed, including gun powder. This gunpowder was first used in fireworks and later in weapons including the first missiles, that were made from bamboo poles stuffed with gun powder.
In 1234 A.D. nomadic invaders from the North known as the Mongols invaded China. By 1279 A.D., they were able to overthrow the Song Dynasty.
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The Song Dynasty emperors collected taxes and then used these taxes to build projects that helped to grow the economy of the empire. A new middle class grew in China as well as rich city residents.
New technologies were developed, including gun powder. This gunpowder was first used in fireworks and later in weapons including the first missiles, that were made from bamboo poles stuffed with gun powder.
In 1234 A.D. nomadic invaders from the North known as the Mongols invaded China. By 1279 A.D., they were able to overthrow the Song Dynasty.
source