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

2. Today’s goal  you will be able to…
Compare and contrast the policies of China, Japan, and Europe during the Age of Exploration

4. The Ming Dynasty Hongwu
increased food production, improving irrigation, and raising cotton & sugar cane (created societal advantages)
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

5. The Ming Dynasty Vassal states paid regular tribute
China was dominant power in Asia during the Ming Dynasty
Vassal states paid regular tribute
China expected Europeans to also pay tribute

6. Yonglo’s Curiosity Hongwu’s son Yonglo continued progress
Yonglo was curious about the outside world
In 1405 (before Europeans) he launched the first of seven voyages of exploration
Yonglo wanted 2 major things:
to impress the world and wanted to expand China’s tribute system (WHY)

7. Voyages of Zheng He
Chinese (Muslim) admiral, Zheng He, led all of the 7 voyages
He distributed gifts to show Chinese superiority
Many (16+) countries sent tribute to the Ming Dynasty
Chinese officials thought voyages wasted valuable resources
After 7th voyage, China withdrew into isolation

9. 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

10. Ming’s Foreign Policies
Missionaries followed traders into China
Brought Christianity and knowledge of European science & technology
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 feet in 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 collapsedtook name of Qing Dynasty
Seized Beijing, and

13. China Under the Qing
At first, the Chinese people did not accept the new rulers, who were not Chinese
ISOLATION CONT’D
If foreign states wanted to trade with China, they would have to follow Chinese rules
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

14. Japan & Europeans Portuguese were first to arrive in Japan
Brought clocks, eyeglasses, tobacco, firearms, etc.
Daimyo were especially interested in firearms

15. Christian missionaries in Japan
Christian Conversions upset Tokugawa since missionaries scorned traditional Japanese beliefs, got involved in local politics
By 1612, the shogun banned Christianity & focused on ridding the country of all Christians
Christians ruthlessly persecuted

16. Closed country policy
For 200 years, Japan remained basically closed to Europeans or “closed country policy”
Japanese were forbidden to leave, so as not to bring back foreign ideas
Only traded w/Dutch, only at Nagasaki port
Japan became very self-sufficient

17. Today think isolation…
Why did the Chinese and Japanese Isolate?
What are effective & ineffective outcomes of that isolation?
Who do you think will gain most and least from this isolation. Think culturally, economically, socially, & politically!!!!