Wu Zetian is the only female emperor in Chinese history. She created the Zhou dynasty and was the only emperor of that dynasty. She was originally a concubine. She lived from 625 - 705. She did not inherit her power, instead she strangled her own daughter and blamed it on Emperor Taizong’s wife. Taizong then divorced Zhangsun, and got remarried to Wu Zetian in 655. When Taizong died, she married Emperor Gaozong. Wu Zetian had 3 petitions to take full power. 1 of them had 60,000 signatures. Emperor Gaozong died in 683 and Wu Zetian was 66 when she took full power. Wu Zetian was a buddhist and proclaimed herself as Maitreya, the buddhist saviour. Wu Zetian reduced military, taxes and forced labour. Wu Zetian conquered Korea with the military leaders that she appointed.
Wu Zetian was a big influence on China but eventually died in 705 because of natural causes.
Wu Zetian was a big influence on China but eventually died in 705 because of natural causes.
Tang Tai Tsung Li Shimin (Eric)
Emperor Tai Tsung was the second emperor of Tang Dynasty, ruling from 626 to 649. He rose to power through ruthless political manoeuvring. He was considered as one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history because he had many accomplishments and prevented an early fall of Tang Dynasty. He firmly established the Tang dynasty in imperial China and conquered much of Asia during his reign. During his rule, it was the most glamorous time in Tang dynasty. He insisted on people getting well-educated. Therefore there were many developments on academical studies such as poetry, arts, science and calligraphy. He also had a very strong army. They finally defeated the Turkish tribes that had threatened northern China for 50 years. He sent military campaigns against Tibetan borderlands, also into the Tarim Basin to gain the Silk Road and against the Korean Kingdom of Koguryo. Over Emperor Tai Tsung's rule, Tang capital became the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world, with a population of more than one million people.By summer of 649, Emperor Tai Tsung was seriously ill. Some believed that his illness was caused by his taking pills given to him by alchemist.After entrusting Li Zhi to Zhangsun Wuji and Chu, Emperor Tai Tsung died at his summer palace Cuiwei Palace (翠微宮). Li Zhi then took the throne as Emperor Gaozong.