1. Encounters in East Asia
2.4
Encounters in East Asia

2. Zheng He Distributed treasures to show Chinese superiority
Zheng He = China’s greatest explorer
Leads 7 voyages of Chinese exploration and discovery
Purpose of travels = impress the world with China’s power
Distributed treasures to show Chinese superiority
China received much tribute in return
Chinese officials claim trips are worthless
Why spend money telling the world what they already know?

3. Ming Dynasty
Hongwu becomes first Ming emperor – drives Mongols out of China
Begins agricultural reforms – increases food production
Yonglo (Hogwu’s son) wants to expand China’s tribute system
Tribute = payment from a weak country to a strong country to acknowledge its submission

4. Qing Dynasty Qing Dynasty takes over after the Ming
Qing leaders not Chinese; they’re from Manchuria
Many citizens disliked the leaders because of this
Qing leaders earn citizens’ respect
Isolation continues
China very arrogant
Expect rest of world to “kowtow” to them
Ritual to show submission
Most countries too proud to kowtow to China
Only Dutch participate in ritual – gain many economic benefits

5. Japan
Civil war in Japan removes a central power and distributes it to shoguns or military leaders
Daimyo rule under the guide of the shogun
Daimyo = local warlords offer protection for loyalty of citizens
Oda Nobunaga a strong daimyo who tries to unify Japan
Commits seppuku when betrayed by one of his generals

6. Japan Tokugawa Ieyasu a strong daimyo
To keep power Tokugawa requires local leaders & families to spend each other year in the capital
When returning home, families required to remain in Edo
What is the impact of this?
Tokugawa uses families as hostages to control leaders
Ieyasu a strong daimyo & unifies Japan

7. Japan Japan initially welcomes foreigners
Portugal becomes major trade partner
European weapons become popular with daimyo
Christian missionaries come to Japan
Initially welcomed by Japanese because associated with weapons (both are foreign)
Many Japanese convert to Christianity

8. Japan Conversion to Christianity upsets Tokugawa
Bans Christianity in Japan
European values clashed with Japanese values
Japan closes its borders to foreign traders
Only one port open to foreign trade
Only Dutch and Chinese allowed to trade with Japan