Ming and Qing Dynasties' Policies: A Comparison with Europe and Japan During the Age of Exploration

1. China Limits European Contacts Advances under the Ming and Qing Dynasties left China self-contained & uninterested in European contact. Bold & underlined is GOLD

2. Today’s goal  you will be able to… • Compare and contrast the policies of China, Japan, and Europe during the Age of Exploration

4. The Ming Dynasty • Hongwu (emperor) • increased food production, improving irrigation, and raising cotton & sugar cane (created societal advantages) • Restored the merit-based civil service examination system • Hongwubecame a ruthless, untrusting tyrant who put to death many people he suspected of plotting against him

5. The Ming Dynasty • China was dominant power in Asia during the Ming Dynasty • Vassal states paid regular tribute • China expected Europeans to also pay tribute

6. Yonglo’s Curiosity • Hongwu’s son “Yonglo” continued progress • Yonglo was curious about the outside world • In 1405 (before Europeans) he launched the first of seven voyages of exploration • Yonglo wanted 2 major things: • to impress the world and wanted to expand China’s tribute system (WHY)

7. Voyages of Zheng He • Chinese (Muslim) admiral, Zheng He, led all of the 7 voyages • He distributed gifts to show Chinese superiority • Many (16+) countries sent tribute to the Ming Dynasty • Chinese officials thought voyages wasted valuable resources • After 7th voyage, China withdrew into isolation

8. Zheng He’s Ship • LETS TALK: SUPERIOR VS. • INFERIOR

10. Ming Dynasty’s Foreign Policies • Trade policies reflected China’s isolation • Kept influence of outsiders to a minimum • Only gov’t able to conduct foreign trade through only three coastal ports • Did not keep merchants from smuggling

11. Ming’s Foreign Policies • Missionaries followed traders into China • Brought Christianity and knowledge of European science & technology • Chinese opposed the European & Christian presence

12. The Forbidden City • Yonglo moved capital to Beijing & built palace complex • Took 14 years to build, with red walls 35 feet in height • Known as the “Forbidden City” because commoners and foreigners were not allowed to enter

13. Rise of the Qing Dynasty • Ming Dynasty weakening • Ineffective rulers, corrupt officials, lack of $ • High taxes, bad harvests, rebellion • Manchus (of Manchuria to the north) invaded as the Ming collapsed & took name of Qing Dynasty • Seized Beijing Manchuria

14. China Under the Qing • At first, the Chinese people did not accept the new rulers, who were not Chinese • ISOLATION CONT’D • If foreign states wanted to trade with China, they would have to follow Chinese rules • Trade only at certain ports • Pay tribute through the “kowtow” ritual • Dutch willing to accept rules, became trading partner • English did not accept, China did not back down

15. Japan & Europeans • Portuguese were first to arrive in Japan • Brought clocks, eyeglasses, tobacco, firearms, etc. • Daimyo were especially interested in firearms

16. Christian missionaries in Japan • Christian Conversions upset Tokugawa since missionaries scorned traditional Japanese beliefs, got involved in local politics • By 1612, the Japanese shogun banned Christianity & focused on ridding the country of all Christians • Christians ruthlessly persecuted by Japanese

17. Closed country policy • For 200 years, Japan remained basically closed to Europeans or “closed country policy” • Japanese were forbidden to leave, so as not to bring back foreign ideas • Only traded w/Dutch, only at Nagasaki port • Japan became very self-sufficient

18. Today think isolation… • 1-Why did the Chinese and Japanese Isolate? • 2-What are effective & ineffective outcomes of their isolationist policies? • 3-Who gained most & least from this isolation. ANSWER concerning cultural, economic, social, & political atmosphere of the time!!!!