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Ming and Qing Dynasties. Alex Anduze. Began with the overthrow of the Mongols-1368 First years were characterized by effective government and a strong economy Population and food stocks grew Confucianism reemerged International trade continued, despite cautious rulers.
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Ming and Qing Dynasties Alex Anduze
Began with the overthrow of the Mongols-1368 • First years were characterized by effective government and a strong economy • Population and food stocks grew • Confucianism reemerged • International trade continued, despite cautious rulers Ming Dynasty: Beginnings
All powerful emporer ruled the empire • Capitol: Beijing- Emperor ruled from the Forbidden City • Civil service bureaucracy was reestablished • Army- 1 million troops Political Characteristics
16th century Ming China had more commercial activity than any other nation in the world • Large percentage of people were merchants and traders • Port cities grew and were very clean, unlike today • Macao • Guangzhou • Hangzhou • Shanghai Economic Progress
Attitude of time was that the Middle Kingdom needed little from anyone else • Portuguese and Dutch were the only Europeans allowed to trade inside of China • Contact and exchange of culture between Japan and China were prominent • Jesuit missionaries, led by Matteo Ricci, tried to convert the Chinese to Catholicism but failed Cultural Contact With Outsiders
Series of weak and corrupt emperors • Over-extended to the north and west • Peasants rebelled against the weak government • Eventually, the Manchus from the north overthrew the Ming Dynasty in 1644 Decline of the Ming
Manchus gain control over Beijing-1644 • Conquer all of China near the end of the 17th century, establishing the Qing Empire • Qing were able rulers: China grew to its largest size under their rule and was the largest country in the world Qing Dynasty:Beginnings
Qing Dynasty had two great rulers • Kangxi: 1661-1722 • Qianlong: 1736-1795 • During the 130 years that these two men ruled, China grew to become a prosperous and powerful empire • Qing leaders separated Manchus and Chinese • Intermarriage was prohibited • Highest government officials were all Manchus Political Organization
Unlike the Ming who had a commercial economy, the Qing relied on agriculture more than trade • The work of a peasant farmer was seen as more honest and worthy of respect than that of a merchant • Men had almost absolute control over women • Foot binding started • Widows were encouraged to commit suicide if their husbands died Economic and Social Characteristics
Porcelain, calligraphy, painting: major forms of art • Confucianism stayed strong • Many of the people of China were educated • Most famous novels of the time were Book of the Golden Lotus and the Dream of the Red Chamber Cultural Influences
Weak rulers after Kangxi and Qianglong • Economic rivalries between Britain and China led to the Opium War • Eventually the dynastay crumbled due to these factors combined with civil unrest, flooding, and famine Collapse of the Qing