1. Why did the Ming emperors abandon overseas expeditions?
2. Why did Qing rulers strive to keep the Chinese and Manchu people separate?
3. How did the Chinese economy change during the eras of Ming and Qing rule?
4. How might the Qing dynasty have brought peace to China?
Chapter 17: Asia in Transition
Section 1
junks: Large, sturdy Chinese ships
Hsuan-yeh: Manchu emperor of the Qing dynasty who increased the
size of China, ruled with traditional Chinese techniques, and opened
Chinese ports to foreign trade
queue: Single braid that characterized the Manchu hairstyle that all
Chinese men were required to wear during the Qing dynasty
philology: History of literature and language
White Lotus Rebellion: Peasant rebellion against the Qing dynasty
led by the Buddhist cult known as the White Lotus Society
1. The Ming emperors abandoned overseas expeditions because they
did not have enough money for both expeditions and defense of
their borders. Also, in the minds of the emperors, foreign trade did
not bring enough benefits and revenue to China.
2. The Qing rulers tried to keep the Chinese and Manchu people
separate because they wanted to keep the Manchu distinct both
culturally and physically from the more numerous and, they
believed, inferior Chinese.
3. The Chinese economy changed during the eras of Ming and Qing
rule to include more trade within China and more trade to other
countries. Certain regions specialized in the manufacture and
production of certain goods. Farmers grew newly introduced
American crops. There was also an increase in the size of cities in
China, which contributed to the increase of trade within China’s
borders.
4. The Qing dynasty might have been able to keep peace in China if it
could have stopped corruption and inefficiency among its
government officials. Another problem that led to unrest was the
enormous number of peasants who could not afford to keep their
farms or even support their families.
[Chapter 17] Asia in Transition
Over many centuries and many dynasties China expanded, spreading its distinct culture
throughout much of Asia. Then it was conquered by the Mongols, who established the
Yuan dynasty. Meanwhile, Japan developed a feudal society of its own, with a rich culture
and unique traditions and values. In this chapter, you will learn about China and Japan
from the 1300s to the 1800s. You will find out how Chinese and Japanese rulers
responded to the growing activity of Europeans in their region.
Asia in Transition
Section 1: The Ming and Qing Dynasties
In this section you will learn why the Chinese showed little interest in overseas trade
during the Ming dynasty. You will find out how the Qing dynasty came to rule China. You
will discover what changed occurred in the Chinese economy under Qing rule. Finally,
you will find out why the Qing dynasty declined.
Section 1 Summary
In the early Ming dynasty in the late 1300s and early 1400s, the Chinese were probably the
most skilled sailors in the world. They built large, sturdy ships that Europeans called
junks. They navigated with the compass, which they probably invented. Chinese ships
sailed to India and the Arabian Peninsula almost 100 years before Vasco da Gama sailed
from Portugal to India. However, later Ming emperors stopped financing naval
expeditions and outlawed overseas trade.
After defeating the Mongols, Ming emperors tried to eliminate all Mongol
influences. They wanted China to be self-sufficient and not dependent on foreign trade,
which they believed did not sufficiently benefit China. Ming emperors also strengthened the
Great Wall on the northern frontier to prevent further invasions. They encouraged
Chinese to settle in the north, and moved the capital to Beijing. Defending the frontier
required constant attention and money. The Ming had to choose whether to fund defense
or overseas trade. They chose defense.
In the 1600s the Manchu from Manchuria, northeast of China, conquered China
and established the Qing dynasty. The Qing ruled China until 1912. Qing emperors
adopted Chinese culture and ruled with traditional Chinese techniques. Emperor Hsuanyeh
(shoo·ahn·yeh) widened the empire, sponsored flood control and food storehouses,
and opened ports to foreign trade. Qing emperors, however, kept the Manchu separate
from the more numerous Chinese, whom they considered inferior. Manchu had to study
their language and culture. Qing emperors married only Manchu women. The Qing
required all Chinese men to wear their hair tied in a single braid called a queue, or tail, a
common Manchu hairstyle. The queue symbolized Chinese submission to Manchu rule.
The Ming kept traditional political institutions, ideas, and values. However,
China’s economy changed and grew during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Some regions
specialized in production or manufacture of certain goods. Traders transported goods
along canals, coastal waterways, and rivers. Tea and silk were sent by caravan to Central
Asia and Russia. Despite official government disapproval, trade increased. Merchants
supplied clothing, food, and other essentials to city-dwellers. People in the countryside
grew more food, including American peanuts, sweet potatoes, and tobacco. The growth of
cities and increased wealth encouraged the growth of popular culture such as novels and
plays in everyday language. Scholarship also flourished. Like Renaissance humanists,
scholars studied ancient writings. Qing rulers studied philology, the history of literature
and language. China’s society remained based on the family and Confucian beliefs.
Under Qing rule China’s population grew rapidly. Farmers grew more crops,
providing food for more people. The growing population, however, placed more pressure
on government. Government corruption and bribery grew widespread. China’s enormous
peasant class found it hard to keep their farms and support their families. Unrest spread,
worsened by floods and famine. In 1796 discontent erupted in a peasant rebellion. The
White Lotus Rebellion was led by a Buddhist cult known as the White Lotus Society. The
Qing dynasty restored order but was seriously weakened. Continued discontent led to
frequent rebellions. The Qing dynasty was in decline.