East Asia1450-1750

The Late Ming (“brilliant”) Dynasty

Overthrew the Mongols in 1368 Ming lasted for 300 years

Ming emperors were cautious of outside influence because of Mongol rule First emperor & founder = Hongwu

(1368-1398) Confucians regained influence

The economic motive for these huge ventures may have been important, and many of the ships had large private cabins for merchants.

But the chief aim was probably political, to enroll further states as tributaries and mark the reemergence of the Chinese Empire following nearly a century of barbarian rule.

Despite their formidable and unprecedented strength, Zheng He's voyages were not intended to extend Chinese sovereignty overseas.

Ming Sea Voyage

Motives — Ming / Zheng He

More importantly, they served to transmit Chinese culture to South and Southeast Asia and the east coast of Africa.

At the time, many of the countries of these regions were still relatively undeveloped, and therefore quite attracted to China's advanced civilization.

Motives — Ming / Zheng He

Zheng He's western voyages were not just an opportunity to carry out overseas trade.

Chinese Voyages Ended

Why?

Chinese Culturalism Deep resentment for the alien Mongols and all

things foreign Lack of interest for anything outside Chinese

tradition Narrow Ethnocentrism = “Culturalism” the

Middle Kingdom Similar to nationalism, but no nation-state arose

in the Chinese culture. Empire and culture began to be thought of

together – thus Chinese leadership uninterested in things foreign.

Change within tradition No ideology of progress like in the West Falls behind Western economic and technology

Political Characteristics Concept of all-powerful but not

divine emperor continued with Ming (Mandate of Heaven).

Government returned to the “Forbidden City” in Beijing

Revive the examination system Involved a lot of memorization

Read this a few times – and try to remember it…The superior man bends his attention to what is radical. That being established, all practical courses naturally grow up. Filial piety and fraternal submission!-- are they not the root of all benevolent actions?'

The Great Wall Sought to protect northern boarders by

building new fortifications Rebuilt the ruins of the Qin dynasty

version of the wall

Trade & Cultural Contact Attitude = needed little from anyone

else Exceptions:▪ Voyages of Zheng He▪ between Japan and China (high point)

Trade was limited to a few interactions with the Dutch and the Portuguese. Important for Europeans: Ming tolerance

of Christian missionaries

Jesuits Efforts to convert Chinese to

Roman Catholicism was revived Jesuits (formed during the Catholic

Reformation) led this effort Most famous: Matteo Ricci ▪ Knew Chinese and their culture well and

used this to prove similarities between Confucian and Christian views▪ Introduced Western technologies to

Chinese courts such as: ▪mechanical clocks

Decline of the MingCentral Asian nomadic groups

successfully raid across the Great Wall

Weak emperors + corruptionPeasant rebellions led to the fall of

the Ming Manchurians saw weakening of the

mandate of heaven – time to take power. Named their new empire the Qing (pure)

Dynasty

Qing Dynasty

Manchu gained control of Beijing in 1644By the end of the 1700’s, China:▪ largest size in history ▪ largest country in the world

Political OrganizationEncouraged a separation

between Manchu and Chinese High political positions

were held by ManchuForbid intermarriage

between Manchu and Chinese Forced Chinese men to

grow a queue

Continued…

Civil service examinations still determined scholar-gentry More competitive than ever

Emperor still using the mandate of heaven

Economic and Social Characteristics

Based on agriculture Enhanced further by American food crops (Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Peanuts)

Society remained highly patriarchical men controlled women’s lives Preferred male children Only boys took the exams

JAPAN

From 1100’s – 1500’s Japan was ruled by military governors called shoguns The Emperor only ceremonial

From Civil War to Unity

Late 1500’s saw Japan pass from a state of almost Civil War to a unified State Called the

Tokugawa Shogunate

Tokugawa Unites JapanBy 1600

Tokugawa Ieyasu unites Japan under the bakufu (tent government) In theory it was

only a temp. replacement for the Emperor

Lasts until 1867

Goals of the Tokugawa Their main goal

was to control the Daimyo Powerful territorial

landlords who ruled Japan from their huge hereditary estates▪ About 260 of them▪ They had their own

paper money, schools, and military forces

▪ The Shogun had to reduce their power to unite Japan

Institute a policy of “alternate attendance” in the capital (Edo) Daimyo and their family

had to spend every other year at the Edo court▪ Can keep an eye on them▪ Spend more money on a

nice place to live rather than personal army

▪ Create marriage alliances ALL WORKED TO

REDUCE DAIMYO POWER

Japan and Korea Japan invades

Korea in 1592 Japan takes over

most of the peninsula and into Manchuria▪ Opens the door

for the Manchus to overthrow the Ming

Massive devastation for Korea

In 1606 Japan withdraws

Turtle Boats

Japan and Europeans This part is for you

to do: Create a brief

OUTLINE▪ Big ideas but

organized in a logical manner using supporting details▪ This is pages 513-515

This is to be done IN CLASS and will be used to make a class set.