Transcript Ming and Qing Dynasties

Ming and Qing
Dynasties
Alex Anduze
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Began with the overthrow of the Mongols-1368
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First years were characterized by effective government and a
strong economy
◦ Population and food stocks grew
◦ Confucianism reemerged
◦ International trade continued, despite cautious rulers
Ming Dynasty: Beginnings
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All powerful emporer ruled the empire
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Capitol: Beijing- Emperor ruled from the Forbidden City
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Civil service bureaucracy was reestablished
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Army- 1 million troops
Political Characteristics
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16th century Ming China had more commercial activity than
any other nation in the world
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Large percentage of people were merchants and traders
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Port cities grew and were very clean, unlike today
◦ Macao
◦ Guangzhou
◦ Hangzhou
◦ Shanghai
Economic Progress
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Attitude of time was that the Middle Kingdom needed little
from anyone else
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Portuguese and Dutch were the only Europeans allowed to
trade inside of China
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Contact and exchange of culture between Japan and China
were prominent
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Jesuit missionaries, led by Matteo Ricci, tried to convert the
Chinese to Catholicism but failed
Cultural Contact With Outsiders
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Series of weak and corrupt emperors
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Over-extended to the north and west
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Peasants rebelled against the weak government
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Eventually, the Manchus from the north overthrew the Ming
Dynasty in 1644
Decline of the Ming
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Manchus gain control over Beijing-1644
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Conquer all of China near the end of the 17th century,
establishing the Qing Empire
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Qing were able rulers: China grew to its largest size under
their rule and was the largest country in the world
Qing Dynasty:Beginnings
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Qing Dynasty had two great rulers
◦ Kangxi: 1661-1722
◦ Qianlong: 1736-1795
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During the 130 years that these two men ruled, China grew to
become a prosperous and powerful empire
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Qing leaders separated Manchus and Chinese
◦ Intermarriage was prohibited
◦ Highest government officials were all Manchus
Political Organization
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Unlike the Ming who had a commercial economy, the Qing
relied on agriculture more than trade
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The work of a peasant farmer was seen as more honest and
worthy of respect than that of a merchant
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Men had almost absolute control over women
◦ Foot binding started
◦ Widows were encouraged to commit suicide if their
husbands died
Economic and Social
Characteristics
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Porcelain, calligraphy, painting: major forms of art
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Confucianism stayed strong
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Many of the people of China were educated
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Most famous novels of the time were Book of the Golden
Lotus and the Dream of the Red Chamber
Cultural Influences
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Weak rulers after Kangxi and Qianglong
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Economic rivalries between Britain and China led to the
Opium War
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Eventually the dynastay crumbled due to these factors
combined with civil unrest, flooding, and famine
Collapse of the Qing