Asia In Transition

I. European Trading in Asia Asia had a sophisticated sea trading network in place by 1400s Divided into 3 commercial zones Arab zone – glass and textiles Indian zone – spices, cotton textiles China – paper, porcelain, silks Not controlled by one central power, military largely absent from commercial activities Arrival of Portugal and other European powers bring changes Very little to trade, used force to obtain goods, establish trading posts Captured coastal towns, established fortresses and factories Ormuz – located in southern Persian Gulf, first major step (1507) into Asian sea trade network

I. Continued… European trading empires Missionaries By end of 16th century, Portuguese power began to wane Dutch and English gained control with better technology/weapons While force was used to gain entry in to the Asian sea trading network, long-term prosperity was based on more peaceful trade Systems of tribute imposed in some areas (Java, northern Philippines) Local peoples essentially left alone as long as they paid Centered on agricultural production, overseen by local elites Missionaries Spanish and Portuguese Jesuit missionaries won few converts in Asia Islam and Hinduism were well established religions in the area prior to arrival of Europeans Hindu elites refused to give up status, religious traditions With the few that did convert, local traditions persisted/mixed with Catholicism

II. China During the Age of Exploration Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Became the dominant Asian power at the time Founded by Hongwu, originally a peasant, in 1368 Sought to restore power of China, erase Mongol past Encouraged return to Confucian ideas/strong bureaucracy Cleaned up corruption Eventually became a tyrant, killing thousands of government officials suspected of plotting against him Yunglo, son of Hongwu, continued many policies of his father Began (1405) short-lived Chinese age of exploration by Zheng He Explored as far as Africa, established a system of tribute in more than 16 countries Voyages were ended in 1433, China became isolated

II. Continued… Life in China Trade and commerce highly regulated Confucian economic policies favored agriculture, not international trade Instituted policy of isolation - largely cut off from outside world because of fear of foreign influence European contact limited to ports of Macao and Canton Life in China Confucian scholar-gentry dominated society New crops/agricultural techniques led to improved nutrition, population explosion Achievements in the arts flourished (Ming Bling) Females were not highly valued, many infants killed (female infanticide) Decline of Ming Dynasty caused by corrupt officials, high taxes, and bad harvests that led to civil unrest

III. Japan Becomes Isolated 1400s – civil war disrupted Japanese leadership Centralized power disappeared, feudalism became stronger Warlords (daimyo) held real power, emperor had little say Three leaders restore unity Oda Nobunaga gained control of capital Kyoto in 1568 Sought to eliminate enemies, rule all of Japan Unified large portion of central Japan Toyotomi Hideyoshi continued Nobunaga’s mission Gained control of most of Japan by 1590 through alliances and military strength Launched attacks on Korea, first steps to building larger empire Tokugawa Ieyasu oversaw the unification of Japan by 1600 Discontinued overseas expansion efforts Tokugawa shogunate held power until 1867

III. Continued… European contact began mid-16th century Isolation Brought new technologies, ideas Guns gave advantage to unifying leaders Missionaries attempted to convert Some early success, especially with leaders interested in the West By late 16th century, Christian missionaries and converts were being actively persecuted Thought to be a threat to the social order Isolation By mid-17th century, Japanese ships forbidden to sail overseas Europeans limited to small island of Deshima Japanese elite remained aware of developments in West, while pushing for revival of indigenous culture

Key Vocabulary – Ch. 22 Caravel Asian Sea Trading Network Ormuz Batavia Hongwu Macao Canton Nobunaga Tokugawa Ieyasu Deshima