Seeking spices and converts, European nations lead successful voyages of exploration to the East. China limits foreign contact after a brief period of acceptance.

 Advances under the Ming and Qing dynasties left China self-contained and uninterested in European contact  The first Ming emperor, Hongwu encouraged a return to Confucian moral standards  Ming rulers would not allow outsiders to threaten the peace and prosperity they had brought to China following the end of Mongol rule

 China Isolates Itself  Only the government to conduct trade  Chinese merchants smuggled cargoes of silk, pottery, and other valuable goods  Confucian beliefs and agriculturally favorable taxes keep China from becoming highly industrialized.

 The Chinese Ming Dynasty lasted from 1368 – 1644  The Great Wall was strengthened – the Imperial City in Beijing was built  China extended its rule into Mongolia, Central Asia and briefly Vietnam  Effective government, nationwide schools  New crops introduced, factories and workshops thrived  The Ming Dynasty established an era of greatness in China

 The Voyages of Zheng He  1405  Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and eastern Africa  to impress the world with the power and splendor of Ming China and to expand China’s tribute system  Chinese scholars-officials see the voyages as wasteful  Seventh and last voyage ended in 1433

 The first voyage had nearly 28,000 men on 62 ships. (think about Columbus who was sailing west about this time with 3 little ships and a small crew)  The largest ship was over 440 ft long (Columbus’s largest ship was 75 feet)  When Emperor Yong Le died, the voyages stopped and the entire fleet burned. Chinese were no longer allowed to sail outside the Chinese waters.

 Three potential reasons: 1. Conservative Confucianism 2. Lack of money in treasury 3. Focus on inland borders

 after 200 years of rule ineffective rulers, corrupt officials, bad harvests, economic issues, and rebellion cause the fall of the Ming Dynasty  the Manchu people from the northeast end of the Great Wall invaded  they took the name Qing for their dynasty that lasted for more than 260 years

 bring Taiwan, Chinese Central Asia, Mongolia, and Tibet into China  forced Chinese men to wear their hair in a pigtail as a sign of submission to their rule  uphold Confucian beliefs and social structures  made the frontiers safe and restored China’s prosperity

 Kanxi,  reduced government expenses  offers intellectuals government positions  keeps a relationship with Jesuits who keep him up to date with developments in Europe  Kanxi’s grandson Qian-long rules China to its greatest size and prosperity  continue policy of isolation and “Chinese rules“ for trade

 King George III asks for a better trade arrangement  representative Lord George McCartney refuses to kowtow the emperor  Qian-long denies Britain’s request  Why was the kowtow ritual important to the Chinese emperor?