Influence of the Sui-Goguryeo Wars on the Collapse of the Sui Dynasty The Sui Dynasty is never mentioned in history due to its longevity. Lasting only thirty-seven years (581-618 AD), the Sui Dynasty is best known to scholars as the dynasty that imploded upon itself during the haphazard rule of the infamous Yangdi Emperor. During his reign, Emperor Yang engaged in large-scale projects such as the restoration of the Great Wall, the completion of the Grand Canal, and the construction of a new capital in Luoyang. These projects have caused strain on the economy and created tensions within Sui society. However, Yangdi will be remembered best as the man who engaged in the disastrous wars against Goguryeo as Sui citizens revealed their desire for the state to pay more attention to domestic affairs and less to foreign conquest. The preparations and costs of the war against Goguryeo, coupled with the already strained economy, led to public backlash against heavy Sui taxation and forced labor conscription that ultimately culminated in the fall of the Sui dynasty. By the end of the 6th century AD, the Sui Dynasty was a formidable geopolitical power in the East Asian sphere of influence. In 589, Wendi, the founder and first emperor of Sui, succeeded in uniting China after three hundred years of political instability, marking the end of a period in which various kingdoms struggled for power in a period known as the Six Dynasties. The unification of China under the Sui marked the first time that mainland China had been unified under a single crown since the end of the Han dynasty in the early 3rd century AD. After consolidating its power nationwide, the Sui turned their attention to foreign affairs. During this period the Sui had a formidable c......middle of paper......angdi. Although the Sui Dynasty lasted only thirty-seven years, the achievements of the short dynasty are remarkable. He united China after nearly four centuries of disunity and chaos and brought order and power to the country. Its longevity was marked by the actions of its second leader, Yangdi. He was driven by the fantasy of restoring the former glory of the Han dynasty and believed that he was the leader of a great central empire that had the innate right to win against his enemies. His fanatical mentality led to aggressive economic and military policies, as evidenced by his public works and his repeated attacks on Goguryeo. He was a tyrant who did not care about the needs of his people, and his negligence and constant mobilization of the people crippled the country's ability to sustain itself and his actions ultimately hastened the end of the Sui Dynasty..