China during the Ming and Qing Empires

1. China during the Ming and Qing Empires Notes: Chapter 17.1 – 17.2

2. Ming Foreign Policy • Early Ming dynasty – very advanced sailors • 1405 – Reached India • 1415 – Reached Southern Coast of Arabian Peninsula • Later Ming Emperors had little interest in sea-power or foreign trade

3. Ming Foreign Policy (cont.) • Defeated the Mongols in 1368 • Restored Confucianism • Wanted China to be self-sufficient • Focused on protecting the Northern Frontier • Chose frontier defense over trade and sea travel

4. Founding the Qing Dynasty • 1644, the Manchu captured Beijing • Qing Emperors adopted Chinese culture • Also tried to keep the Manchu people separate and distinct from the Chinese • Ruled until 1912

5. Decline of the Qing Dynasty • Faced problems of over-population • Corruption and government inefficiency became commonplace • 1796 – White Lotus Rebellion

6. The Portuguese • 1514 – Portuguese ships reached the southeastern coast of China • Many Jesuit missionaries arrived • Jesuits’ power aroused jealousy and concern among some Chinese leaders • Emperors denounced Christianity as anti-Confucian

7. The British • The British East India Company monopolized new trade in Chinese teas • Many British felt the need for Free Trade with China • 1793 and 1816, British officials asked the Chinese government to open more ports • 1833, British abolished the British East India Company’s monopoly

8. The Opium Trade • British switched from trading Cotton to trading Opium with China • The Chinese Government became very alarmed • 1839-1842, Opium War • 1842 – Treaty of Nanjing • British enforced a policy of extraterritoriality • Chinese continued to sign “unequal” treaties

9. Rebellions • Hong Xiuquan began to lead a revolt • 1850-1864, Taiping Rebellion • Late 1870s, Qing finally put down these rebellions. • Seriously weakened both Qing dynasty and the nation as a whole