China Rejects Europeans

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Defeated Mongol rulers of China Paid tribute by Korea, and other Southeast

Asian countries Expected the Europeans pay tribute

Hongwu: first emperor of Ming dynasty Reformed agriculture in China

Increased rice production Improved irrigation Fish farming Commercial crops

Restored merit-based civil service exams Return to Confucian moral standards

Yonglo: Hongwu’s son and successor Moved capital to Beijing Launched 7 voyages of exploration

Zheng He: captain of 7 voyages Sailed to Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and

Eastern Africa Some say he sailed around Africa, and

perhaps even to the coast of California! Extends tribute system

Ming dynasty and foreign trade Allowed foreign trade in only 3 ports Commerce offended Confucian beliefs Taxes on commerce was high

Results: black market is established

Qing Dynasty

Came from Manchuria (Manchus) Took the name Qing in order to fit in Forced Chinese men to wear hair in pigtail Upheld traditional Confucian beliefs Secured their borders Restored prosperity

Kangshi: Qing emperor Lowered taxes Reduced government spending Supported arts and sciences in China Had access to knowledge from outside world

(including Europe)

Qing dynasty and trade Special ports Pay tribute “kowtow” Accepted Dutch as trade partners Silk, spices, porcelain, and tea was highly

sought by European powers 80% of shipments in 1800 from China was tea

Korea

Korea paid tribute to the Manchus before they became the Qing dynasty

Established their government according to Confucian principles

The result of long control by the Manchus, Korea developed strong nationalist feelings

Life in Ming and Qing China

Greater focus on agriculture meant great population growth

By 1800 China’s population exceeded 300 million – what is current U.S. population?

Nutrition and diet improved Women were considered inferior to men