1. Quick Class Discussion: What elements of Chinese culture remained constant over the course of Chinese history (from 3000 B.C. to 1900 A.D.)?

2. Eras in Chinese history are named after the dynasties that were in power; Each of these dynasties added unique contributions in Chinese history Review of Chinese Dynasties

4. China’s last native imperial dynasty!

5. The Forbidden City: China’s New Capital

6. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) During the Ming Dynasty Chinese rule was restored, emperors encouraged foreign trade & exploration (Zheng He) for the first & only time in history To protect Ming emperors from future invasions, the Forbidden City was built in Beijing that no one other than royalty or approved bureaucrats could enter

7. Revived the Civil Service Exam

8. Ming Cultural Revolution   Printing & Literacy   Cheap, popular books:   woodblock printing.   cheap paper.   Examination system.   Leads to explosion in literacy.    Leads to further popularization of the commercial market.   Culture & Art   Increased literacy leads to increased interest in cultural expressions, ideas, and things:   Literature.   Painting.   Ceramics.   Opera.

9. Ming Silver Market   Spanish Silver Convoys   Triangle route:   Philippines to China to Japan.   Silver floods Chinese Market:   Causes devaluation of currency & recession   Adds to reasons for Chinese immigration overseas.   Reduces price of Chinese goods in Europe   Increases interest in Chinese culture & ideas in Europe.   Helps fund conquest of New World    Encourages Europeans in conquest & trade.

10. Ming Dynasty, 1368- 1644 C.E.  Golden Age of Chinese Art  Moderation  Softness  Gracefulness  Three different schools of painting developed.  Hundreds of thousands of workers constructed the Forbidden City.

11. Ming Emperor Tai Zu (r. 1368-1398)

12. The Tribute System

13. Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)   Ming “Treasure Fleet”   Each ship 400’ long & 160’ wide 1371-1435

14. Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)   China’s “Columbus?” 

15. Admiral Zheng He’s Voyages   First Voyage: 1405-1407 [62 ships; 27,800 men].   Second Voyage: 1407-1409 [Ho didn’t go on this trip].   Third Voyage: 1409-1411 [48 ships; 30,000 men].   Fourth Voyage: 1413-1415 [63 ships; 28,500 men].   Fifth Voyage: 1417-1419   Sixth Voyage: 1421-1422   Emperor Zhu Gaozhi cancelled future trips and ordered ship builders and sailors to stop work.   Seventh Voyage: 1431-1433   Emperor Zhu Zhanji resumed the voyages in 1430 to restore peaceful relations with Malacca & Siam   100 ships and 27,500 men; Cheng Ho died on the return trip.

16.   1498 --> Da Gama reached Calcutta, China’s favorite port.

17. Ming Porcelain / Ceramics, 17c–18c

18. Ming Vases, 18c

19. Ming Carved Lacquer Dish 15c

20. Ming Scroll Painting “Travellers in Autumn Mountains”

21. Ming Painting – “Taoist Scholar”

22. Ming Painting – “Birds and Flowers”, 16c

23. Ming Painting and Calligraphy, early 16c

24. Imperial China’s Impact on History  Removed religion from morality.  Beginnings of political philosophy through which a ruler must prove he/she is legitimate.  Mandate of Heaven  Secular law.  Valued history  The Dynastic Cycle

25.  Text Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) In 1644, northern invaders from Manchuria conquered China & created the second foreign dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing Dynasty During this era of Manchu rule, China grew to its largest size by claiming Taiwan, central Asia, Mongolia, & Tibet

26.  Text Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Like the era of Mongol rule, Chinese rejected & led rebellions against their Manchu rulers But, Emperor Kangxi earned Chinese respect by keeping Confucian beliefs, lowering taxes, & restoring peace and prosperity to China Kangxi was the first emperor to tour China & visit peasant villages Kangxi & later Manchu rulers returned China to isolationism by restoring strict adherence to the “Middle Kingdom”

27.  Text Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) But, Qing China faced 2 important challenges that would threaten China’s future strength The introduction of new American crops like corn & sweet potatoes led to a dramatic increase in the Chinese population The sharp rise in the number of Chinese peasants would lead to competition for land & peasant uprisings

28.  Text Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) But, Qing China faced 2 important challenges that would threaten China’s future strength European missionaries & merchants arrived in Asia eager to gain access into China Europeans arrived with superior military technology, demanded that China trade with them, & refused to accept Chinese customs

29. Resources

30. Closure Activity: Advice to Kangxi  Imagine that you are an advisor to the Manchu emperor Kangxi & give suggestions as to how to deal with China’s problems  Working with a partner, identify China’s 2 major problems during the Qing Dynasty; Write these on one side of an index card  On the same side of the card, brainstorm at least 3 potential solutions to each problem  Rank order these potential solutions  On the other side of the card, offer your best solution for each problem