In Chinese history, all dynasties, even every monarch, have taken the unification of the whole of China as their ultimate goal.
However, the number of countries and monarchs that have truly achieved great unification is extremely limited.
The Song Dynasty, a magnificent dynasty in Chinese history, had a different status.
The Northern Song Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty continued the Song Dynasty, but its area of rule seems to have a very different scope from later China, even with the Qin, Han and Tang empires.
But history still recognizes that the Song Dynasty was a great unified dynasty, so what is so special about the Song Dynasty that it can reach the top of a small number of great unified dynasties.
In the world's concept, in order to achieve a unified dynasty, the dynasty must have a long period of existence, not a short-lived existence.
In addition to the long period of time, it is also necessary to achieve true reunification in all aspects of the country, and there must be outstanding achievements and contributions in politics, military, culture, and even in the areas of national integration.
At the same time, it is crucial that there must be a stable social environment in the country and that the international community must have a comprehensive identification with this dynasty.
First of all, looking back at the ruling area of the Song Dynasty, it is not difficult to find that its land area is difficult to reach the forefront of all Chinese dynasties, and can only be regarded as a middle-class level.
However, the ruling foundation of the Song Dynasty was still relatively solid, and even if the regime alternated between the Northern Song Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty, it could not shake the rule of the entire country.
When the Song Dynasty was first established, it stood out from the war-torn Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, not only establishing a new state, but also once again promoting the unification of China.
Even if the Southern Song Dynasty survived and the land area shrank, it still stood in an environment full of strong enemies, and never lost the country due to defeat.
In addition to maintaining territorial independence and improving the state, the Song Dynasty also played a positive role in promoting the development of China's feudal system.
After Zhao Kuangyin released his military power, he continued to strengthen the imperial power and further strengthened his control and control over all levels of the country.
In the international situation surrounded by powerful enemies, the Song Dynasty was also able to actively develop the imperial examination system, consolidate the foundation of the country's rule, and provide impetus and vitality for the country through a steady flow of talents.
Although the Northern Song Dynasty could not escape its demise, the continuation of the Southern Song Dynasty also retained the centralized power, and the only change was only the shrinkage of the territory, and the other aspects of the political system only moved forward, not retreated.
Of course, the Song Dynasty was most proud of its economic strength and economic system.
During this period, the Song Dynasty was not far behind even in the face of the Tang Empire, and even in the course of world economic development, the economy of the Song Dynasty was a bright star.
The all-round development of industry, agriculture and commerce supported the prosperity of the Song Dynasty and the situation of repeated defeats.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, the southern part of the country, and the countries of the Southern Song Dynasty, had world-leading economic systems and trade methods, and if the Southern Song Dynasty could continue, then the germ of capitalism would be born in China.
In addition to economic leadership, the culture of the Song Dynasty was even more unique in the world.
Only one Song Ci occupies an important position in Chinese culture, not to mention that the culture of the Song Dynasty is not only limited to Song Ci, but also has the ultimate embodiment in painting, astronomy, and agricultural economics.
In terms of soft power, the Song Dynasty is also the leading existence in East Asia, and its cultural influence can be extended to countries such as Goryeo and Japan, and even hostile countries are deeply affected by it.
As a result, another characteristic of the great unification dynasty was brought about, that is, cultural identity and ethnic integration.
Thanks to economic development, exchanges between nations and countries have become increasingly prosperous, and although the territory has not been unified, the exchange of ideas has never stopped.
Although the Song Dynasty did not occupy other territories of the unified country, its culture had already penetrated into the Central Plains and all corners of the nomadic peoples.
Thanks to the infiltration of culture, the cultural identity of various countries in the Song Dynasty reached an unprecedented unanimity.
Similarly, the integration of ethnic groups in the Song Dynasty also came to a new high with economic development and cultural identity.
The rulers also deliberately guided the integration of nationalities in order to achieve long-term rule of the country, which not only deserved to improve the cohesion of the country and the nation, but also laid a good foundation for the true unification of future generations.
On the whole, the necessary conditions for the great unification dynasty, the Song Dynasty only had shortcomings in territorial unification, and in other aspects, the Song Dynasty can be called a model of the great unification dynasty.
It is not an exaggeration to regard it as a great unified dynasty, which is in line with the status and role of the Song Dynasty in Chinese history.