Sui dynasty

Sui dynasty, dynasty (ruling family) that governed China from A.D. 581–618. Its first ruler, Yang Jian, united North and South China, which had been involved in a lengthy civil war. After his death in 604, his son Sui Yangdi worked to strengthen the unified territory's government and economy. One of his most outstanding projects was the building of the Grand Canal, a waterway system over which products could be shipped between northern and southern China. Yangdi suffered military defeats, however, when he tried to overtake Korea and Manchuria, and when he fought Eastern Turks. He was overthrown and assassinated. The Sui dynasty ended with his death in 618. The T'ang dynasty, which began that same year, adopted many of the policies and systems established by the Sui dynasty.

See also: China.