MING AND QING EMPIRES MING: 1368 – 1644 QING:
Rise of the Ming Ming Dynasty most powerful in China People paid tribute (money & gifts) to acknowledge their submission, & expected Europeans to do it
Hongwu 1 st emperor of Ming – Restored agricultural lands; increased rice production – Erased Mongol past – Promoted China’s power/prosperity – Held Confucian moral standards – Later paranoid; became tyrant and conducted purges
Voyages of Zheng He Chinese Muslim admiral Started sailing 1405 before Europeans (7 voyages) Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and Eastern Africa Helped expand China’s tribute system After 7 th voyage, China withdrew into self-sufficient isolation
Ming Relations with Foreign Countries Only government allowed to trade through 3 ports Demand for Chinese goods skyrocketed (silk, ceramics, etc) But China did not become industrialized because: – Commerce offended Confucian beliefs – Economic policies favored agriculture taxes on agric. low & manufacturing high
Forbidden City Palace in Beijing All commoners forbidden to enter without special permission Business affairs conducted & emperor, family, & his court lived there (9,000 rooms)
Great Wall of China FYI: The Great Wall of China was deteriorating in many areas, so the Ming rebuilt most of it, extending to 8,000 km, or roughly 4, 970 miles (27,190,000 feet)
A New Dynasty: The Qing Ming Dynasty weak corrupt rulers & bad harvests Other side of Great Wall is Manchuria, with people known as Manchus Manchus invaded Ming & took over for next 260 years
China Under the Qing At 1 st Chinese resisted but Manchus slowly earned respect – kept local traditions, except hair in queue – Allowed Jesuit missionaries to inform them of latest developments in science, math, & medicine in Europe
Manchus Continue Isolation Chinese think they’re cultural center of world for 2,000 years If foreigners want to trade, they have to follow their rules (specific ports & pay tribute) Europeans want silk, porcelain, and especially tea
Daily Life in Ming & Qing Greater rice production led to higher population Only sons valued; many female infants killed Most women forced to stay at home to raise children & manage finances Foot binding