MING DYNASTY

In 1368, Hong Wu established the Ming dynasty and the Mings ruled until The Early Ming Emperors brought peace and stability to China They imposed new laws and reorganized tax collection.  The new laws were harsh and did not exempt anyone from punishment.

MING DYNASTY Wu also built the Great Wall of China to help keep nomadic tribes outside China and Chinese culture within the empire. They reformed local government, as well. Confucianism was the official doctrine of the government.

THE GREAT WALL FROM SPACE

ECONOMY OF MING CHINA Under the Mings, the Chinese prospered greatly.  They were, in fact, more prosperous than European nations before they began exploring. The Government offered free land, tools, seed, and animals to farmers in war-ravaged areas of the country.  Because of China’s great landmass, farmers had a surplus of crops to sell in local markets. The government also maintained a system of canals and roads that connected the markets and farms. Trade expanded in China and port cities like Shanghai expanded to handle trade and an increased population.  China regained its strength and status as a farming nation under the Mings.

CHINESE EXPLORATION The Mings built a Navy that could sail to foreign ports.  Between 1405 and 1433 China sent out seven exploration groups led by Captain Zheng He.  They successfully reached Southeast Asia, India, the Persian Gulf, and even visited ports on the eastern coast of Africa. Later, the Ming Emperors did not continue this policy of exploration; instead concentrated their money on internal problems.

THE FORBIDDEN CITY A complex of houses and government buildings that was located in Beijing, which became China’s capital in The Ming Emperors shut themselves up in the palaces of the Forbidden City and lived their lives in seclusion.  Consequently, lower officials became corrupt and took over day to day running of the empire.  Eventually, the Mings were replaced by the Qing Dynasties.

QING DYNASTY (CHINA CONTINUED)

QING DYNASTY Began in  These emperors were Manchurian, not Chinese  During their dynasty, Taiwan became part of the Empire.  They proved to be able rulers and put ethical Manchurians in positions of leadership. They reduced taxes, built public works projects and attempted flood control on China’s rivers. Internal trade rose under the Qings and they developed contact with Europeans who wanted Chinese goods like silk and porcelain.

EFFECTS OF CONTACT WITH EUROPE Many Europeans arrived in China during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.  The Portuguese, for example, established a trading center in Macao. Christian Missionaries came to convert the large Chinese population  In general, their efforts were unsuccessful and they were forced out of China in the 1700’s.

QING DECLINE During the 1700s, the Qing Dynasty became so corrupt that they raised taxes and kept the money for themselves. Revolutions soon followed. By 1850, the revolutions reached a climax when one of the leaders became Christian and organized his followers into a political movement to replace the Qing. It was called the Taiping Rebellion because the leader, Hong Xiuquan, hoped to establish a new Dynasty. (“Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace”)  The rebellion lasted 14 years and left the Qing so weak they could not keep the Europeans from taking over control of the Emperor and the government.

CHINA AND BRITAIN In the late 1600s, the British established a trading post in Guangzhou, which became a major trading post. The British East India Company held a monopoly over trade. Britain regarded China’s tea as the best in the world. Only a few Chinese merchants were allowed to trade with the British and most foreigners were not allowed to have contact with regular people.

CHINA AND BRITAIN 2 New Ideas influencing relations: 1) free trade- argument that said governments should not interfere with international trade.  British merchants resented China’s regulations and asked China to open more ports. China refused and the British East India Company lost power. 2) The Opium Trade- Britain’s demand for tea was so great that it had trouble finding products to exchange for tea so it chose opium.  From the 1700’s and onward, Britain exported this product greatly and many Chinese became addicted.  Also, China’s supply of silver was being used to pay for the drug and more was going out than coming in.  China begged Britain not to sell anymore Opium (226).

THE OPIUM WAR ( ) Britain refused to stop selling opium so China tried to force them to stop. This led to war. China was no match for the British army and they were defeated easily. Britain gained control of much of China’s coast, forcing them to negotiate. The war ended when the Treaty of Nanjing was signed. In this treaty, China lost Hong Kong and opened five ports to the British. Also, British citizens living in China were under British laws instead of Chinese. Britain gained a monopoly over trade in China Other European nations demanded trading rights in China soon after. China signed many “unequal treaties” that allowed them to set up posts so they would not be invaded.

JAPAN

In 1467, there was a civil war in Japan between members of the Ashikaga family. It lasted about 100 years, weakened the central government, and allowed for a feudal system to be set up in Japan. Warlords called Daimyo dominated Japan through this system. The most powerful was Tokugawa Ieyasu. He established his capital at Tokyo and became shogun in As shogun, he controlled all of Japan and set up a dynasty.

TOKUGAWA GOVERNMENT Under the Tokugawa Shoguns, the local leaders controlled their own land and taxed their own people to support Samurai soldiers. The Tokugawas did not rule Japan directly, but influenced it by remaining the greatest military power on earth. The government was a mix between feudalism and a strong central government.  As a result of Tokugawa rule, Japan had stability for more than two centuries. Additionally, contact with foreigners was limited. They limited foreign contact because they feared the spread of Christianity.  Some rivals to the Tokugawa were influenced by Christianity, many times. These rivals used guns, often, which was an insult to the Tokugawa because samurai fighting ethic was based on skill. One shot could erase years of training. (Think: The Last Samurai)  Portuguese Jesuits had converted as many as 300,000 Japanese in the 1600s and the Tokugawa saw it as a threat to their authority because it taught loyalty to a higher authority other than the Emperor.

ISOLATION ENDS President Millard Fillmore of the U.S. sent Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan. He arrived with heavily armed, steam- powered warships in  His reason for coming: to negotiate a treaty that would guarantee safety of U.S. sailors and would open up trade. Perry presented the treaty and promised to return in one year. Millard Fillmore Matthew Perry

ISOLATION ENDS Upon his return, Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa that met U.S. demands. Similar treaties with other nations followed and Japan’s isolation ended.