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 –

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)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 expeditionsZheng He’s expeditions

Economic Changes

• China never developed commercial capitalism: private business based on profit

• WHY???• Differences between Europe and China

1. Middle-class merchants and manufacturers in China were not as independent as in Europe

2. Trade and manufacturing remained under firm control of government

3. Many Chinese looked down on trade and manufacturing as inferior to farming

4. 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)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• 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)Forbidden City (Beijing)

Built during the Ming dynasty it was home to the Ming and Qing emperors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPfYrmcfvYE

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