Ch. 16 -The East Asian World 1400-1800 16.1: China at Its Height
The Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Overthrow of Mongol rule Founded by Ming Hong Wu Many positive changes
1406 – construction of Beijing Admiral Zheng He “Imperial City” – power and prestige Admiral Zheng He Sailed to and opened trade with SE Asia, India, Arabian Peninsula, East Africa Promoted Chinese culture; brings new items to China
Contacts with the West 1514 - Portuguese arrive on coast of China Chinese are ethnocentric and xenophobic Cultural diffusion between Europe and China
Decline of Ming Internal power struggles Corruption, high taxes Epidemic Suffering = unrest; leads to peasant revolt Peasants take the capital of Beijing; Ming fall
Qing Dynasty Set up by Manchus – 1644-1911 Manchu from present-day Manchuria Forced Chinese to adopt Manchu look Over time, were accepted and restored peace and prosperity Brought Chinese into imperial administration (lower positions)
Corruption, high taxes, population growth lead to unrest Emperor Kangxi 1661 -1722; 61 year reign Revered as greatest emperor Christianity flourished Emperor Qianlong 1736-1795 Expanded China to its greatest physical size Corruption, high taxes, population growth lead to unrest White Lotus Rebellion - 1796-1804, weakens government
Europeans in China Qing decline, Europeans seek more trade Qing controlled trade with Europeans: All Europeans traders confined to a small island just outside Guangzhou Traders could reside there only from October through March Europeans could deal only with a limited number of Chinese firms licensed by the government. British desired more access to additional Chinese cities. British had an unfavorable balance of trade with China because the Chinese government did not allow access to British manufactured good. Britain imported tea, silk and porcelain by sending ever-increasing silver to China. In 1973, Lord George Macartney visited Beijing to seek more liberal trade policies. Emperor Qianlong rejects the British’s attempt.
16.2: Chinese Society and Culture
Economy and Daily Life Agricultural society – 85% farmers Increase in population 1390 - 80 million 1700 - 300 million Land shortages Increase in manufacturing trade Lack of commercial capitalism 2 reasons Trade and manufacturing controlled by gov’t Taxed manufacturing more than farming
Family oriented Confucian ideals Elderly very respected Women were subordinate to men Footbinding – status symbol
Chinese Art and Literature More books purchased Realistic social novels written Architecture and art Imperial City Complex of palaces and temples Blue and white porcelain