1. Chapter 27 Day 2 Aim: How does China develop socially during the Ming and Qing dynasty? Do Now: Pair/SHARE 1) How does Ricci describe China? 2) How would this effect them economically and/or politically?
This country is so thoroughly covered by an intersecting network of rivers and canals that it is possible to travel almost anywhere by water. Hence, an almost incredible number of boats of every variety pass hither and thither. Indeed there are so many of them that one of the writers of our day does not hesitate to affirm that there are as many people living on the water as there are dwellers on land. This may sound like an exaggeration and yet it all but expresses the truth, as it would seem, if one were to travel here only by water. In my opinion it might be said with greater truth and without fear of exaggeration, that there are as many boats in this kingdom as can be counted up in all the rest of the world. -Matteo Ricci, Jesuit Priest in Ming China

2. Social Aspects Patriarchal Family Gender Relations
Filial piety understood as duty of child to parent; individual to emperor
Eldest son favored
Clan-based authority groups augment government services
EFFECTS?
Gender Relations
Males receive preferential status
Economic factor: girls join husband’s family
Infanticide common
Widows strongly encouraged not to remarry WHY?
Chaste widows honored with ceremonial arches
Men control divorce
Grounds: from infidelity to talking too much

3. Foot binding Origins in Song dynasty (960-1279 CE)
Linen strips binds and deforms female child’s feet
Perceived aesthetic value
Statement of social status and/or expectations
Commoners might bind feet of especially pretty girls to enhance marriage prospects

4. Chinese Population Growth
Only 11% of China arable
Intense, garden-style agriculture necessary
American food crops introduced in 17th century
Maize, sweet potatoes, peanuts
Rebellion and war reduce population in 17th century
Offset by increase due to American crops
Chinese Population Growth

5. Foreign Trade Silk, porcelain, tea, lacquer ware
Chinese in turn import relatively little
Spices, animal skins, woolen textiles
Paid for exports with silver bullion from Americas
After Emperor Yongle’s early maritime expeditions ( ), Ming dynasty abandons large-scale maritime trade plans
Trade in Southeast Asia
Chinese merchants continue to be active in southeast Asia, esp. Manila
Extensive dealings with Dutch VOC

6. Why Does China Fall Behind?
During Tang and Song dynasties (7th-13th centuries), China a world leader in technology
Stagnates during Ming and Qing dynasties
European cannons purchased, based on early Chinese invention of gunpowder
Government suppressed technological advancement, fearing social instability would result
Mass labor over productivity – Why?

7. Classes in Chinese Society
Privileged Classes
Scholar-bureaucrats, gentry
Distinctive clothing with ranks
Immunity from some legal proceedings, taxes, labor service
Working classes
Peasants, artisans/workers, merchants
Confucian doctrine gives greatest status to peasants
Merchant activity not actively supported – EFFECT?
Lower classes
Military, beggars, slaves

8. Neo-Confucianism
Version of Confucian thought promoted by Zhu Xi ( CE)
Confucian morality with Buddhist logic
Education at various levels promoted
Hanlin Academy, Beijing
Provincial schools
Compilation of massive Yongle Encyclopedia
Development of popular novels as well

9. Christianity in China
Nestorian, Roman Catholic Christians had presence in China
Disappeared with plague and social chaos of 14th century
Jesuits return under Matteo Ricci ( ), attempt to convert Ming Emperor Wanli
Mastered Chinese before first visit in 1601
Brought western mechanical technology
Prisms, harpsichords, clocks

10. Confucianism and Christianity
Argued that Christianity was consistent with Confucianism
Differences due to Neo-Confucian distortions
Yet few converts in China
Approx. 200,000 mid 18th century, about 0.08 percent of population
Christian absolutism difficult for Chinese to accept
Franciscans and Dominicans convince Pope that Jesuits compromising Christianity with Chinese traditions (e.g. ancestor worship) WHY?
Emperor Kangxi bans Christian preaching in China

11. Assessment
1. An important reason for China’s rapid population increase in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was (A) the introduction of new crops from the Americas (B) the end of the bubonic plague in Asia (C) the widespread adoption of the European three-field system (D) unprecedented immigration from the Mughal and Ottoman empires
Create a multiple choice question based on previous material
Exchange question with neighbor
Share question/ answer with whole class