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Ming China (1368-1644) Despite our brilliance. Now you see us, now you don’t. End of Yüan Dynasty Allowed infrastructure to deteriorate Mongol alienation of Chinese Plague Resistance Southern Song Peasant unrest consolidates opposition to Mongol rule We, as a simple peasant of Huai-yu, conceived the patriotic idea to save the people [from the Mongol Yüan], and it pleased the Creator to grant that Our civil and military officers effected their passage across eastward to the left side of the River. Chu Yuan-chang (1372 CE., 1st Ming Emperor) Ming (‘Brilliant’) Dynasty Like Han Dynasty, Ming emerges from peasant rebellions Re-established Confucianism and centralised bureaucracy Ltd. foreign infl. No intermarriage central government control no ministers weaken aristocracy relied on Mandarin (scholar officials) & eunuchs sim. function to missi dominici & audiencia infl. of eunuch suppression End of Treasure ships, decline of certain activities (mining) Land reform support of peasants sim. To Tang & Song Emperor Hongwu Ming Politics Infrastructure repair canals & irrigation Deteriorated during Mongol rule repair & expand Great Wall Protect from invading Mongols & other nomads encourage settlement of outlying regions Similar to Han divided pop Defense Military garrisons along the North Military presence to protect agst Nomads martial arts into military training Isolation from foreign influence Illustration of Mandarin Economics New phase of commercial expansion Limited foreign access to Chinese markets Not interested in most products offered by Europeans focus on SE Asia & Japan Domestic trade Promoted manufacture of export goods Silk & cotton Porcelain Lacquer products Result in silver & gold (esp. from Spain) Ming porcelain vase Economics Development of regional banking transfer of currency w/in & btw China, Russia & Japan Shift from Barter Currency Problem. silver reserves ∴ hoard silver Paper $$$ not accepted Counterfeiting copper coins Taxes consolidated & collected in currency Single Whip Reform Taxes collected once/year Paid in silver only Peasants forced to sell produce to pay taxes Made possible by Manila Galleons and silver from Spain America Religion Influence of religion in China virtually unchanged Buddhism & Taosim still dominant religions John of Monte Corvino establishes church in Beijing ltd success at converting Chinese to Christianity Chinese not eager to convert Saw Christianity as exclusionary Preferred universality of Buddhism & Taoism Society Promote revival of Chinese culture Yüan period seen as harmful to Chinese culture Reject ‘non-Chinese’ elements Feared negative influence Role of women declines to levels of Song period Big Toe Heel Toes progress of Mongol era reversed Seen as inferior Peasant women often had more rights than MC & UC Footbinding expands among UC, despite objections of some emperors Concubines accepted as norm Esp. among MC & UC Foot binding Intellectual influence of Confucianism Emperors encouraged expansion of Confucian education Emperors generally skeptical of scholars Specialised schools for civil service exams Strengthen Meritocracy of Tang & Song Influence & wealth, position=test performance education as means to examine society, produce literature & art Benefitted peasants & growing MC Mandarin Jiang Shunfu w/ Attendants Crane on Chest signifies 1st rank Bureaucrat Yongle Encyclopedia commissioned by Emperor Yongle 23,000 scrolls +11000 volumes synthesis of Chinese History, Philosophy, Literature, Science Widespread publication of literature esp. Pulp fiction Focused on heroic tales, sexual exploits, satire, & comedy Growth of Chinese poetry Zheng He & the Treasure Ships Yongle Emperor sends 7 expeditions across Indian Ocean to E. Africa Commanded by Muslim eunuch Zheng He Treasure ships over 400’ long & 150’ wide Traded goods & forced tribute from regions along Indian Ocean Indian, Malacca, E. Africa Voyages mostly diplomatic, but also exacted tribute t/o region Zheng He -6’6” Muslim eunuch who led the Seven Voyages Treasure Ships & Chinese Isolation Mongol invasions in north straining resources Need $$$ to fight Mandarins object to continued voyages Object to foreign influences Convince Emperor of need to terminate expeditions 1434 Xuande Emperor brings treasure ships back All vessels destroyed Plans and maps destroyed Ships only allowed to continue trade with Korea, Japan & Vietnam Emperor closes China to foreignors except port of Guangzhou 1521 emperor orders destruction of all records related to the Seven Voyages Chinese ‘Treasure Ship’ dwarfs Columbus’ Santa Maria Art Ming Period considered the greatest period of Chinese art Reflected stability, peace & harmony embodied in Confucianism & Buddhism Also the relative stability of the period Pieces of Ming art were among the first to find their way to Europe (16th century) Excellence in painting Best known for the unique and numerous works in porcelain Qing Dynasty (1644-1913) Northern nomads de-stabilise Ming Ming asks help of N. Manchu to defeat nomads Manchu help defeat nomads and take over Establish Qing Dynasty Continue Ming policies Weaken aristocracy Strengthen Chinese culture Esp. Confucianism Enforce isolationism from foreign influence Last Chinese dynasty