Transcript Unit 4 - Harrison High School

Early Modern Asia



Advances under the Ming and Qing dynasties
left China uninterested in European contact.
The Tokugawa regime unified Japan and
began 250 years of isolation, autocracy, and
economic growth
Both cultures remain isolated for centuries






Powerful dynasty (1350-1650)
Hongwu - drove Mongols out
Agriculture improved, restored Confucian
traditions (respect), voyages of exploration
through Asia; many nations paid tribute
Son Yonglo continues growth
Trade restricted by govt. but smuggling
abounded
Chinese goods in demand so commerce &
trade flourished



European Christian missionaries brought
Christianity and knowledge of science and
technology to China
Otherwise, China was essentially isolated
Ming declined and was eventually taken over
by Qing Dynasty
Hongwu






Zheng He
Muslim admiral who led
7 voyages
Huge ships, fleets,
traveled vast distances
Distributed gifts (gold,
silver, silk) to show
China’s superiority
Many sent tributes
After voyages, however,
China withdrew into
isolation
Some thought voyages
wasted resources
Zheng He’s ship compared to Columbus’s
Ship, Santa Maria






Formed by Manchus who invaded Ming dynasty
Expanded China’s borders
Kangxi (“Kang She”) restored order, prosperity,
upheld Confucian beliefs, secured borders,
reduced govt. expenses, lowered taxes, scholar
and patron of the arts, open to ideas about
medicine, science, math
Continues Chinese isolation & had trade
restrictions/rules
Dutch complied – kowtow (bow and touch head
to ground 9 times)
Brought porcelain, silk and a new product, tea






Agriculture improved, irrigation/fertilizer
New products in addition to rice: corn, sweet
potatoes
Food increased, health improved, population
grew, families grew
Sons favored over daughters; females not
valued; female infants killed
But women had many responsibilities
Progress in art, pottery (porcelain – high
quality ceramic), music, drama










Japan had been under a feudal system (led by
Shoguns)
Civil wars – powerful samurai warriors seized feudal
estates
Daimyo – chieftains became lords
System was similar to European feudalism (hierarchy)
Oda Nobunaga – powerful daimyo, ruled by force,
sought to eliminate enemies
Unable to unify Japan, committed seppuku (ritual
suicide)
Later Tokugawa Ieyasu unites Japan
Moved capital from Kyoto to Edo (later Tokyo)
Restored centralized government to Japan
Tokugawa Shogunate holds power until 1867
Oda Nobunaga






250 years of stability, prosperity, isolation
Peasants still suffered due to heavy taxes
Very structured society (Shogun, Daimyo,
Samurai, peasants, etc.)
Becomes more urban over time – literature,
drama, art
Haiku poetry (5-7-5 syllable, 3 line)
Kabuki theater








Portugal and others had traded with Japan
Clocks, eyeglasses, tobacco, firearms
Guns forever changed warfare and the samurai
(swords)
Christian missionaries
Japanese tired of efforts to convert, too much
interference by Europeans
Christians began to be persecuted/killed
Closed country policy – commercial contacts with
Europe ended (except Dutch)
200 years – Japan remains closed (approx 1600 –
1800)