1. China Limits European Contacts
Advances under the Ming and Qing Dynasties left China self-contained & uninterested in European contact.

2. The Rise of the Ming
Since 1279, the Mongols under Kublai Khan ruled China as the Yuan Dynasty
In 1368, a Chinese peasant, Hongwu, commanded a rebel army that drove the Mongols out of China
Hongwu became the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty

3. The Ming Dynasty
Hongwu began his rule by increasing food production, improving irrigation, and raising cotton & sugar cane
He brought stability to China through respected traditions and institutions
Restored the merit-based civil service examination system
Hongwu became a ruthless, untrusting tyrant who put to death many people he suspected of plotting against him

4. The Ming Dynasty
China was dominant power in Asia under the Ming Dynasty
Vassal states paid the Ming regular tribute
China expected Europeans to also pay tribute
Ming rulers were not going to allow outsiders from distant lands to threaten the peace and prosperity the Ming had brought to China after ending Mongol rule

5. Yonglo’s Curiosity
Hongwu’s son Yonglo continued continued his policies and moved the royal court to Beijing
Yonglo was curious about the outside world and in 1405 he launched the first of seven voyages of exploration
This was even before the Europeans began their expeditions
Yonglo wanted to impress the world and wanted to expand China’s tribute system

6. Voyages of Zheng He
Chinese Muslim admiral, Zheng He, led all of the 7 voyages
Zheng He distributed gifts to show Chinese superiority
More than 16 countries sent tribute to the Ming Dynasty
Chinese scholar-officials thought voyages wasted valuable resources that could be used for Chinese defense against attacks
After 7th voyage, China withdrew into isolation

8. Ming’s Foreign Policies
Trade policies reflected China’s isolation
Kept influence of outsiders to a minimum
Only gov’t able to conduct foreign trade through only three coastal ports
Did not keep merchants from smuggling

9. Ming Economy Demand for Chinese goods affected economy
Silk & ceramic industries grew
Commerce & manufacturing increased
Yet, China did not become highly industrialized
1) Idea of commerce offended Confucian beliefs
2) Chinese policies traditionally favored agriculture

10. Ming’s Foreign Policies
Missionaries followed traders into China
Brought Christianity and knowledge of European science & technology
Most Chinese opposed the European & Christian presence

11. The Forbidden City
When Yonglo moved the Chinese capital to Beijing, he ordered the building of a great palace complex to symbolize his power and might
Took 14 years to build, with red walls 35 feetin height
Known as the “Forbidden City” because commoners and foreigners were not allowed to enter

12. Rise of the Qing Dynasty
Ming Dynasty weakening
Ineffective rulers, corrupt officials, lack of $
High taxes, bad harvests, rebellion
Manchus (of Manchuria to the north) invaded as the Ming collapsed
Seized Beijing, and took name of Qing Dynasty

13. China Under the Qing
At first, the Chinese people did not accept the new rulers, who were not Chinese
However, the Qing emperors won their support
Took steps to improve conditions in China
Preserved Chinese traditions (such as Confucian beliefs)
Kangxi & Qian-long were the two most powerful Qing rulers

14. Chinese Isolation Continues
If foreign states wanted to trade with China, they would have to follow Chinese rulers
Trade only at certain ports
Pay tribute through the “kowtow” ritual
Dutch willing to accept rules, became trading partner
English did not accept, China did not back down

15. Life in Qing China
The production of rice & long period of peace gave people better lives
Nutrition improved, population doubled
Women suffered in this period
Sons valued over daughters
Many infant girls killed, daughters had few rights