Download Late China Ming and Qing - Lyons

THE EAST ASIAN
WORLD
1400-1800
Brief Review of China’s History
• Zhou Dynasty – utilized the “Mandate of Heaven”
to overthrow Shang Dynasty set up a feudal
system, made first books, calendar, silk
• Emperor Qin – Created First Empire, began
Great Wall, built royal tomb, unified Chinese
calligraphy, standardized system of weights and
measurements, coined money.
• Han Dynasty – eased the harsh policies of Qin
and reduced taxes – would last 400 yrs. Best
known – Wudi who made civil service system
based on Confucius. Made 1st paper,
acupuncture, anesthesia.
• Tang Dynasty – close
connections to Japan who
borrowed many Chinese
ideas. First paper money,
world trade.
• Song Dynasty – porcelain,
pagoda – weak govt. so
defeated by Mongols.
• Mongols – China defeated
by Kublai Khan created
Yuan Dynasty (1297)
Ming Dynasty
• 1300s – Chinese overthrew Mongols and had self rule –
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began to re-establish itself as “Middle Kingdom” or center
of the earth.
Returned civil service system
Zheng-He sent out to explore – but halted exploration
after his death – too costly and wanted to limit contact
with other worlds to preserve ancient traditions
Thriving industries of porcelain, tools, paper and
gunpowder.
Portuguese and other European merchants wanted to
trade with China but China felt European goods inferior so
limited trade.
Influenced Korea with Buddhism, Confucian ideas, writing
system, art styles, porcelain, and block printing.
Zheng He’s fleet (1405 - 1433)
• Over 300 ships & 20,000 men
• Trade and commerce on the Indian Ocean
• Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia,
and East Africa
Zheng He’s expeditions
Economic Changes
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China never developed commercial
capitalism: private business based on profit
WHY???
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Differences between Europe and China
Middle-class merchants and manufacturers in China
were not as independent as in Europe
Trade and manufacturing remained under firm
control of government
Many Chinese looked down on trade and
manufacturing as inferior to farming
Heavy taxes on manufacturing and trade and low
taxes on farming
Ming (continued)
• had an
extensive
amount of
tribute states
(southeast
Asia)
Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911)
• Last of the Chinese
dynasties
• Manchu rule (foreigners,
but continued Confucian
system)
• Absolute Ruler –
Emperor Kangxi
Manchu control over Chinese
• Rulers aimed to create strict lines
between Manchu and Chinese
• Chinese forced to wear
Manchu dress and have queue
(braid) – executed for treason
without.
The Sacred Edict (1670 CE)
Used Confucianism as standard of behavior – Edict posted in
every village
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Esteem most highly filial piety and brotherly submission, in order to
give due importance to the social relations.
Behave with generosity toward your kindred, in order to illustrate
harmony and benignity.
Cultivate peace and concord in your neighborhoods, in order to
prevent quarrels and litigations
Show that you prize moderation and economy, in order to prevent the
lavish waste of your means.
Labor diligently at your proper callings, in order to stabilize the will of
the people.
Instruct sons and younger brothers, in order to prevent them from
doing what is wrong.
Put a stop to false accusations, in order to preserve the honest and
good.
Fully remit your taxes, in order to avoid being pressed for payment.
Scientific Knowledge
• Kangxi – loved science – had
several European scientists visit
and share knowledge
• Hand-held calculator: the first in
France in 1642 by French scientist
Blaise Pascal. The imperial palace
kept ten of these ancient calculators All
of these calculators could do simple
addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division.
• 2. Gold-plated compass: This was
originally invented by Galileo Galilei
and could do many different
calculations. Kangxi's compass was a
further improvised version which had
more functions than before.
Forbidden City (Beijing)
Built during the
Ming dynasty it was
home to the Ming
and Qing emperors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPfYrm
cfvYE
European Christians started missionary work (300,000
converts by end of Kangxi reign)
Period of Isolation
• Fear of weakening of Confucian values
• Felt foreign goods were inferior and refused to trade
• Only one city open for trade - Canton
• Lord George McCartney from England tried to open up
more ports - rejected
• Anti Foreign revolts
Chinese Society and Culture
• The Chinese Family
• Chinese society was organized around the family
• Family provides for its members’ needs
• Sacrifice individual desires for benefit of family
• Ideal family was the extended family
• Beyond extended family was the clan: consisted of
dozens or even hundreds of families
• Linked by a clan council of elders and a variety of social and
religious activities
Chinese Society and Culture
• Role of Women
• Considered inferior to men
• Subordinate to husband even though
she may play a strong role within the
family
• Could not divorce husband
• Could not inherit property
• Practice of footbinding
• Bound feet = symbol of
status
Chinese Society and Culture
• Cultural Developments
• The Chinese Novel
• The Golden Lotus
• Depicts corrupt life of a wealthy landlord in the late
Ming period who cruelly manipulated those around
him for sex, power, and money
• The Dream of the Red Chamber
• China’s most distinguished popular novel
• Tells of tragic love between two young people
caught in the financial and moral disintegration of a
powerful Chinese clan
Chinese Society and Culture
• Cultural Developments
• Ming and Qing Art
• Architecture
• Imperial City (Beijing) - also known as the
Forbidden City
• Decorative Arts
• Blue-and-white porcelain