A Study On The Political History Of Tang Dynasty In The Reign Of Emperor Xuanzong(846～859)

This thesis makes a study of the political history of Tang dynasty in the reign of the Emperor Xuanzong 宣宗, from A.D.846 to AD.859.In the late era of Huichang会昌 ( the reign title of Emperor Wuzong 武宗 ) period, Xuzong counterfeited an imperial edict and usurped the throne from his nephew Emperor Wuzong with the aid of eunuch group. In order to get the legal status of his throne, Xuanzong declared that he was the rightful heir of his father Emperor Xianzong 宪宗, meanwhile, slandered his brother Emperor Muzong 穆宗, the former emperor, as the leader of rebel clique who had murdered Emperor Xianzong thirty years ago. On this pretext, Xuanzong made a massive political purge in the Palace.The palace coup exerted a tremendous influence on the political situtation of Dazhong (the only reign title of Xuanzong)period. Consequently, the political structure could be looked as the continuation of palace politics. In the early years of his domination, Xuanzong reinstated the Niu Faction to comb out the political group of Wuzong. Most reform policies in Huichang period, such as prohibiting Buddhism, reducing redundant officials, eliminating the showy imperial examinations and so on, were abolished. After the political purge, the conflict between Xuanzong and eunuchs, as well as prime ministers gradually rose, From the 8th year to the 10th year of Dazhong period, Xuanzong took some measures to crack down these bossy eunuchs, but hadn't tangible result for these incompetent officials of the Niu Faction. After the 11th year of Dazhong period, the political situation was turbulent gradually, for continuous military rebellions in southeast China. Xuanzong had become more and more estranged from prime ministers. Because the eunuch group controlled large financial resources, Xuanzong had to rely on eunuchs again. Xuanzong couldn't control prime ministers all along, needless to say the eunuch group who dominated military power.In the era of Dazhong period, Xuanzong government killed the goose that lays the golden eggs in economy and led to the worse finance situation. On the military governor issue, Xuanzong pursued an indulgent policy, which had caused the central authority weakened seriously. To relax the unfriendly attitude of ministers, Xuanzong gave special consideration to the bureaucratic families, and the declining bureaucratic family from Shandong district had revived to a certain extent. The political situation of Dazhong can be described as conservative, decadent, hypocritical and retrogressive on the whole. Although conscientious and diligent in political affairs, Xuanzong was a mediocre, self-willed, and vain emperor actually. In a word, Xuanzong should hold the responsibility of no shift for the downfall of the Tang dynasty.