1. 16.2

2.  Mostly an agricultural society  85% = small farmers  China experienced an extreme population increase ◦ Improvements in food supply (faster growing rice) ◦ Less land available = unrest and revolt  Growth in trade and manufacturing ◦ Silk, porcelain, cotton goods  Gov’t controlled TR&MF and discouraged it

3.  Society organized around the family ◦ Based on Confucian ideals  Family expected to provide for members needs. ◦ Education of children, support unmarried daughters, care for elderly ◦ Needs of family above individual desires  3-4 generations often lived under same roof

4.  Considered inferior to men ◦ Only men could obtain formal education ◦ Career in gov’t or scholarship  Could not divorce husband  Husbands expected to provide for wife  Footbinding – feet bound together at an early age. Considered attractive by men. More marriageable. Adopted by all classes of women.

5.  Literature evolved in Chinese society  The Golden Lotus ◦ Corrupt life of wealthy landlord in the late Ming Period who manipulates those around him.  The Dream of the Red Chamber ◦ Most distinguished popular novel. Tragic love of two young people. Cao Xuegin

6.  Outpouring of artistic brilliance  Architecture ◦ Imperial City (Forbidden City). Complex of palaces & Temples.  Decorative Arts ◦ Porcelain Structures. Europeans admired & collected these items.

7.  Commercial Capitalism: Private business based off profit.  Clan: Extended family – dozens, even hundreds of related families.  Porcelain: blue & white. Most famous of all the arts.