Comparison and Interactions Between China and Russia

1. Comparison and Interactions Between China and Russia By Esther Kim, Anthony Kuo, Ben Chan, and Haana Yu

2. Culture in China-Art • Art- Mostly crafted out of jade, pottery, and later bronze during the Shang Dynasty. • Porcelain was very popular at that time, and still is. • There were also many paintings drawn in China • Cloisonne, jewelery, tableware, room dividers, painted fans were made • By mid 1700s, special workshops produced wallpaper and other stuff according to specifications of European merchants

3. Culture in China—Art • Performing Arts- began during the Imperial Era of the Yuan Dynasty. • Opera • Theater • Dance

4. Culture in Russia-Art • Had handsome jewelry, wall hangings, and decorated leather items • Used many animal shapes in their art • The Chinese used nature and animal shapes in their art as well • Christian Art • The acceptance of Christianity in 988 AD shaped much of the art in Russia through religious art.

5. Culture in China- Architecture • Imperial Palaces • Very huge and rich • Great Wall of China • Built in the Ming Dynasty • Started being built around the time of Christ • The Great Wall concept was revived again during the Ming Dynasty, following the Ming army's defeat by the Oirats in the the Battle of Tumu in 1449.

6. Culture in Russia-Architecture • Many churches were beautifully constructed during this time period • Invented the iconostasis, a carved choir screen on which icons are hung.

7. Culture in China-Festivals • Dragon Boat Festival • Originating in Ancient China, it was celebrated to honor the death of Qu Yuan, a renowned poet and minister to the King of Chu in 278 BC. • As Chu was conquered by Qin, Qu Yuan committed suicide on the fifth day of the fifth month by drowning himself in the Milou river. • The local villagers, who admired him, fed the fish so that the fish wouldn’t eat the body of Qu Yuan—allowing them to paddle out and retrieve his body. • This marked the beginning of the Dragon Boat Festival and it was celebrated with the aim of spreading good wishes and happiness.

8. Culture in China-Festivals • Chinese New Year • Begins on the first day of the Lunar/Solar New Year. • According to Chinese folk tales, the festival started with a fight against Nian (a mythical beast). They believed that Nian would not attack them, if food was offered to it. Since then, Chinese put food in front of their doors on the starting day of the festival.

9. Culture in Russia-Festivals • Maslenitsa • The equivalent of a Russian Mardi Gras. • Celebrated the day before Lent. • Also called the “Pancake Week” because that’s what they eat. • Christian Holidays • Celebrated Christmas, Lent, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter or Paskha, Ascension, Pentecost and All Saints Day

10. Culture in China- Martial Arts • Kung Fu • A form of Martial Arts where they trained both the physical and spiritual body. • It was a unique combination of art, exercise, self-defense, and discipline. • Tai Chi • A form of Martial Arts started by the Taoists.

11. Culture in Russia • Russia had diverse population • China’s society was also diverse and this diversity grew during the Qing expansion (1644-1783)

12. Intellectual-China • Government Tests: • Started by Confucius 165 BC. Prevalent after his death as well. • In order to get a government position, prospective officials were required to take a test to get the job. • The advent of printing books also helped the process • Jesuit Library at Beijing • Jesuits shared books on technology and science with Chinese scholars

13. Intellectual-China • Common writing systems, language and Confucian models connected China • There were still different dialects • Writing was also an art form through calligraphy. • Confucianism modeled daily life • It was the equivalent of the Christianity in Russia. • Confucius’s life time • 551–478 BC • Still has a great impact in modern China years later.

14. Culture-Russia and China • Hierarchy-China • Rulers • Administrators • Soldiers • Peasants • Men were the “rulers” of the family • Hierarchy – Russia • Land owners were the most powerful • Artisans—people with trade professions • Serfs—people tied to land as slaves • Hereditary • Woman were subordinate to men

15. Intellectual (Politics)—China and Europe • The Europeans learned some political philosophy tactics from China. • Late 1770s poems were supposedly written by Emperor Qianlong and translated into French for Western Europeans to read • European intellectuals who were also questioning their own political systems found the Chinese’s practical, secular, and compassionate ruler intriguing.

16. Intellectual-Russia • Russia was connected by Religion and a common language—Russian. • Religion was a huge part in the intellectual and cultural aspects of Russia. • Most of the Russians were Christians • Russian Orthodox Cross:

17. Change Over Time Comparisons between China and Russia

18. Ming Empire (1500-1644) • Economic and cultural achievements sustained early Ming Empire in 1500s

19. Economy • Ming manufacturers transformed global economy with an international markets consisting of Ming porcelain, silk, and lacquered furniture. • Stimulated commercial development of East Asia, Indian Ocean and Europe. • Growing country lead to rapid growth in silk, cotton, and porcelain industries. • Influx of silver led to substitute payments in silver for land taxes, labor obligations, and other various dues. • After 16th century, gained knowledge from Europeans of new crops from Africa and America • No production in rice-growing southern regions nor wheat-growing regions in northern region.

20. Silk, Porcelain, Silver, Lacquered Furniture

21. Factors Leading To Decline • Agricultural distress and great famine fueled uprisings and declines in local populations • Rapid growth of trading economy led to urban growth and business speculation. • Suffered from price inflation caused by silver • Factories suffered from disorder and inefficiency • Rising environmental, economic, and administrative problems weakened the Ming Empire

22. Decline of Ming Empire • 1592-1598 Japanese invasion weakened the Ming and Chinese defenses in the northeast couldn’t stop advance of Manchu troops • Manchu gained control of south China and incorporated Taiwan into imperial China. • Conquered Mongol and Central Asia • Ming Empire collapsed in 1644

23. Qing Empire (1644-1783) • Conquered former Ming territories, lower Amur River basin, Inner Mongolia, eastern Turkestan, and Tibet. • Grew twice the size of Ming Empire • 17th and 18th century was a period of great economic, military, and cultural achievement in China

24. Encouraged foreign trade • Increase in overland routes of communication from Korea to Central Asia • Influenced Europeans with culture and knowledge • Founded “variolation”, a form of inoculation used to spread smallpox • China’s population grew three times its size in 1500 • Gradual adoption of New World crops, such as corn and sweet potatoes

25. Empire of the Great Qing

26. Russia • From 1550, Russia expanded rapidly from eastern Europe across northern Asia and North America • Became one of the major powers by 1750 • Expansion incorporated different cultures, languages, ethnicities, and religious beliefs • Power became centralized • Civil and foreign war in 16th/17th century caused disruption and economic decline • By 1723, all Russian slaves became serfs, and by 1729, made up over half the population in Russia.

27. Peter the Great (1689-1725) • Made major changes to reduce Russia’s isolation and increased empire’s size and power. • Strengthen Russian state and increase the power of the tsar

28. Catherine the Great (1762-1796) • Promoted industry and building a canal system to improve trade • Implemented administrative reforms and diplomacy • Expanded Peter’s policies of westernizing Russian elite

29. Political Similarities • Land based • China expanded westward and Russia expanded east, west, and south • Depended on superior numbers and tactics for success, rather than technology • Modern “gunpowder revolution” of 15th/16th century was centered in Ottoman Empire and western European states • By the 18th century, its armies relied on size rather than advanced weaponry

30. China used Confucian models, imperial customs, and common system of writing • Converts to Catholicism helped introduce European techniques of crop production and engineering • Orthodox missionaries encouraged conversion of Siberian peoples. • Roman Catholic Poles incorporated in late 1700s • Russian language was promoted • Absorption of new ideas and styles from western Europe

31. Cultural, Social, and Economic Similarities • Expansion of China and Russia both incorporate new lands and diverse cultures and people • Maintained policies which tolerated diversity and promoted cultural assimilation • Hierarchical and oppressive social structures • Slave plantation societies of the Americas • Rulers governed with absolute powers and were more limited in size of empires, bureaucracy and corruption.

32. Differences Over Time • In 18th century, Europe relied on size rather than advanced weaponry • Constructed fleets of warships in Baltic and Black Seas • Approached people with tolerance and superior ways and beliefs • Absorption of new ideas and styles from western Europe • China used small war junks armed with only half-dozen cannon • Did not develop navies with size and coastlines • Used Confucian models, imperial customs and a common system of writing to transcend differences • Governments conducted diplomatic and strategic missions • Restricted overseas trade

33. Ming China • European merchants bought large amounts of porcelain (became known as “china”) • New World crops introduced by European merchants

34. China and the Manchu • The Manchu quickly assimilated Chinese customs (i.e. Confucianism) after they came into power • Emperor Kangxi studied Chinese, Manchu, and Mongolian culture and promoted cultural tolerance

35. Europe and China • Europeans slowly gained trading rights with China, mainly by negotiation and observing Chinese ritual practices (kowtowing) • Jesuit, Franciscan, and Dominican missionaries spread Christianity throughout China • Jesuits obtained high positions due to their influence over the Chinese elite • Jesuits transferred European techniques in manufacturing, mapmaking, and medicine • Jesuits revised their teachings to accommodate for Confucian beliefs

36. Chinese Influence on Europe • New medicinal practices were brought to Europe from China • Chinese products, such as silk, tea, and porcelain, were in high demand in Europe • Europeans admired Chinese emperors, especially Kangxi

37. Russia • Exchange of culture took place across border with China • Asian languages spread through rural Russia • Peter the Great traveled through Europe and adapted Russian society and culture to that of Europe’s (trade and tolerance)

38. Citations • http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ancient-chinese-culture.html • http://www.russiansabroad.com/russian_history_148.html • http://aglobalworld.com/orthodox-calendar/russian-orthodox-observances.php • http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/1923/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China#History • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism#Governance