Pyramid Shaped Societies in China and China’s Long Modernization

1. Pyramid Shaped Societies in China and China’s Long Modernization Reading: Smith (on China), 485-486, 682-686, 690-697, 697-716, D 16.5: “Letter to King George: China and Great Britain”

2. Qin Shih Huang – First Chinese Emperor

4. The Song Dynasty- (960-1279) • Italian Marco Polo visited in 1275, overwhelmed by China’s wealth and splendor- far higher living standard than that of the West. And since we have got thither I will enter

5. Complex internal market systems- proto-capitalism silk production paper currency

6. 1500 C.E.- China’s Place in the World • China is the most economically advanced, wealthiest and politically united region in the world. • New World Economy- based on the Asian market pull of tea, silk, porcelain, spices. China primarily exports- little need for European goods.

7. Comparable in size and complexity to all of Europe • China is composed of many populations and religions—42 or more ethnic groups in China today • Practiced Buddhism (various forms), ancestor worship, Christianity (from ancient world), Islam • Most in China also believed in Confucian or Daoist philosophy • Widespread ideology of unity- “all under heaven.” May partially explain ability to rule such a vast empire: • Family (not so much individual) central

8. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Hongwu and the “Red Turbans” overthrow the Mongols Ming Porcelain

9. Yongle Emperor • Moved capital north to Beijing • Constructed Forbidden City • Developed Chinese Encyclopedia • Buried in large Ming tomb

10. Explorations of Zheng He, 1400, marks the end of Song/Yuan traditions of ocean exploration • Largest ships in the world sent by the Yongle Emperor. • Explorations did not seek to establish colonies or trade.

11. Shift in Global Dynamics around 1500 • Europe began exploring and conquering the New World • China became increasingly absorbed with internal affairs

12. China turns its energies towards internal development- expansion and consolidation • Protect borders from constant invasions: Restore and Expand Great Wall – 1550 miles long, 33-49 feet tall • 1411- Grand Canal built from the coast to Beijing tied the country together and eliminated the need for coastal trade

14. Why Did Europe Surpass China Technologically and Militarily? • CHINA: • --Population outgrew resources and capital • --Rice agriculture offered little incentive for modernization – very productive but subject to catastrophic flooding • Peasant Wars and Subsistence Crises • EUROPE: • --capital and slave labor of New World. • --Science and Industrialization

15. Chinese Growing Problems • Ming economic reforms: • End of money and credit system and tax reforms reduce capital • Quest for silver • Internal affairs lead to isolationist policy • Education and examination system -Biggest education system in the world focused on Confucian philosophy and literature rather than sciences -Competitive civil service system led to rise of large gentry class which weakened central control

16. Wanli • -Lived Extravagantly in "Forbidden City" •      Drank, Smoked Opium, Played with concubines • -Used Eunuchs to Deal with Govt. •  -Threatened by Pirates 1520s-1560s •  -Threatened by Manchus •                  War • Taxes •                  1630s--Famines -Many Peasant Revolts - Later Emperors no better: • Beijing captured by Bandits and Manchus • Qing Dynasty formed c 1645

17. Warfare system differed from that of Europe • Threat from North led to concern about horses and fighting on horseback • Gunpowder technology as a strategy of war seems less developed than west