Download Ming and Qing Dynasties

Ming and Qing Dynasties
c. 1368-1644
c. 1644-1911
Ming “Brilliant” Dynasty
Began when Mongols were removed from
power in China, after years of fighting
T’ai Tsu – first emperor
This dynasty wanted to remove all Mongol
influences and restore traditions
Ming Dynasty
One of the early objectives of the Ming
dynasty was to strengthen the Great Wall of
China
They encouraged soldiers to move close to the
Wall (in Northern China) to protect future
attacks from the North
The capital city of China was also moved to
persuade people to move North. The capital
was moved from Nanjing to Beijing
The purple line is the Great Wall of China
See the former capital, Nanjing and the new capital, Beijing
Ming dynasty
Skilled sailors with solid ships
Exploration of foreign lands was originally
supported as a means of learning about the world
Later all exploration was stopped, enough
information was acquired about the outside world
Like previous dynasties, the Ming dynasty
attempted to keep foreign influences out of the
country as much as possible
How does this differ from European ideas?
Ming dynasty
Trade
The Ming dynasty did not originally want
China to trade with foreign nations
The emperors thought China should be selfsufficient
Ming dynasty
Agriculture
Advances in agriculture allowed self-sufficiency,
for a while
New type of rice – harvest time reduced (was 100
days, now 60 days)
What difference does this make?
FYI Rice is grown in a field covered with water
New irrigation pump was invented- operates with
the foot
Rice paddies (fields) were stocked with fish
• Two types of food were produced at the same time!
• Fish ate malaria-bearing mosquitoes!
Agriculture, continued
Cotton and indigo were both produced- these
were key elements for the creation of a textile
industry
Trees were planted!
• To restore the overcut forests
• To build ships for carrying goods
Ming dynasty
Confucianism
Traditional philosophy of government
Confucius taught virtues that were thought to
improve society and to achieve a happy life
• Five relationships must be obeyed: between ruler and
subject, father and son, husband and wife, older
brother and younger brother, friend and friend
• Be sincere, polite, and unselfish
• Obey and respect laws and traditions
• Work hard and respect learning
Confucius
Ming dynasty
Confucian philosophy also divided society
into classes based what they produced for
society
Scholars
At the top
because these
educated
individuals could
help ensure the
government made
wise choices
Farmers
The farmers
produced food for
the country, food
is essential for
survival
Artisans
Artisans produced
useful objects
although not
essential for
survival
Merchants
The merchants
did not produce
anything, thus at
the bottom, they
were the
businessmen
Ming Dynasty
During this time period, Chinese government
wanted to be self-sufficient and keep out outside
influences.
Think for minute and write down if you think
Confucianism encouraged self-sufficiency AND
why or why not.
Share what you wrote with your neighbor
Share with the class
Ming dynasty
Fall of Ming leads to Rise of Qing
Although the Ming emperors strengthened the
Great Wall of China in the North, it proved
ineffective in the long run
In 1644, various tribes of people north of China (in
an area called Manchuria) became one organized
group- the Manchu
The Manchu captured Beijing and declared the
birth of a new dynasty, the Qing
The Manchurian people were united in the Northeast portion of
the shaded area
Qing “Clear or Pure” dynasty
The Manchu were not Chinese
BUT they did allow many Chinese traditions to remain
Manchu thought they were superior to Chinese
Therefore, Chinese were required to wear their hear in a
queue
• The queue was popular among Manchu people
• The queue when worn by Chinese symbolized the submission
to Manchu rule
Can you think of another time in history when a
group invaded a country and proclaimed
themselves superior
The man in this picture is
wearing his hair in a queue
Qing dynasty
The economy and population grew tremendously
during the Qing dynasty
Despite desires to keep China a self-sufficient country,
trading ports had to be opened
Some regions used the cotton and indigo which was
grown during the Ming dynasty and started to export
cloth
Tea and silk were also exported
New crops were introduced from Europe and the
Americas: peanuts, tobacco, and sweet potatoes
Qing dynasty
Scholars flourished during the Qing dynasty
New novels and plays were being written and
read
People were studying literature and language
Philosophies and ethics of Confucius was
studied
On a separate piece of paper, to hand in,
1) Describe the goal of the Ming dynasty
2) Describe how the Qing dynasty began