Download Derek Piedra-Güido P.2 1/19/10 Chang over Time Essay China

Derek Piedra-Güido
P.2
1/19/10
Chang over Time Essay China 1450-1700
In China during the period of 1450 to 1700, a key social continuity was the continuation
of the patriarchal family while there was economic change in the form of global trade and
political change with the arrival of the Manchus and establishment of the Qing dynasty.
During this period, the patriarchal family structure was reinforced by Confucian
principles. These principles subjected women to the authority of men. This can still be seen to
this day since Chinese parents preferred boys over girls. The Chinese preferred boys because
they had the opportunity to obtain govertnamental positions and bring honor to their families.
Another example of the subjugation of women was the practice of foot binding which was not
outlawed until the 20th century. Filial Piety was also important because it taught obedience of
subjects towards the emperor and not only obedience of children towards their parents. Children
also had the duty of looking after their parent’s happiness and well-being.
China’s entry into the global trade network brought great prosperity. The Chinese
produced silk, porcelain, lacquer wore, and tea which were products of high demand in the
Indian Ocean Basin, Central Asia, and European markets. The introduction of products from the
Americas also helped the Chinese economy. American crops such as maize and sweet potatoes
were planted in previously uncultivated lands thus creating brand new sources of income.
Another product of economic importance was silver which not only affected China but the entire
world as well since silver was a brand new precious metal. New technologies had to be imported
since the Ming and Qing dynasties focused on the well-being of society and the government
rather than in technological innovations.
There were also political changes during this period, which is mostly due to the creation
of the last Chinese dynasty, the Qing dynasty. The Qing dynasty was established by the
Manchus, which were people from Manchuria. They came to China after the collapse of the
Ming dynasty. During the early 1600’s the Manchus organized themselves and launched
invasions into China, a factor for the Manchu’s rise included Chinese support and a skilled
military. The Qing dynasty opened the doors to Europeans, which I believe, spelled the doom of
the dynasty since European intervention in Chinese affairs would weaken China to the point
where it would not recover until the 1980’s when Deng Xiaoping came to power as head of the
People’s Republic of China.
China has always had the tradition of the patriarchal family, which was always backed
by Confucianism. The openness that it showed towards foreigners during this period would help
the Chinese economy but also helped in bringing more than half a century of a more weaker
China.