What caused the Tang dynasty to decline and collapse in 907?

The decline and eventual collapse of the Tang dynasty in 907 were driven by a combination of internal political instability, devastating rebellions, and the erosion of central authority.

Key Factors in the Decline

• The An Lushan Rebellion (755–763): This massive uprising severely weakened the dynasty, causing widespread destruction and forcing the government to rely on regional military commanders and foreign mercenaries, which drained the treasury and decentralized power.1
• Eunuch Influence and Factionalism: Throughout the 9th century, intense power struggles between court officials and eunuchs—who controlled the powerful palace armies—paralyzed the central government. Eunuchs frequently manipulated imperial successions, undermining the authority of the emperors.2
• The Huang Chao Rebellion (874–884): This decade-long revolt devastated the country and destroyed the Tang government's remaining control. Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed, the dynasty was left as a powerless puppet state dominated by regional warlords.32
• Loss of Central Control: Following 763, the government ceased enforcing state-supervised land allocation, allowing local elites and military governors to establish independent power bases, which ultimately led to the fragmentation of the empire into independent kingdoms.42

The dynasty formally ended when the warlord Zhu Wen, a former general under Huang Chao, usurped the throne.53