Transcript Isolation - Issaquah Connect

Seeking spices and converts, European
nations lead successful voyages of
exploration to the East. China limits foreign
contact after a brief period of acceptance.

Advances under the Ming and Qing dynasties left China
self-contained and uninterested in European contact

The first Ming emperor, Hongwu encouraged a return to
Confucian moral standards

Ming rulers would not allow outsiders to threaten the
peace and prosperity they had brought to China following
the end of Mongol rule
 China
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Isolates Itself
Only the government to conduct trade
Chinese merchants smuggled cargoes of silk,
pottery, and other valuable goods
Confucian beliefs and agriculturally favorable
taxes keep China from becoming highly
industrialized.
 The
Chinese Ming Dynasty lasted from
1368 – 1644
 The Great Wall was strengthened – the
Imperial City in Beijing was built
 China extended its rule into Mongolia,
Central Asia and briefly Vietnam
 Effective government, nationwide schools
 New crops introduced, factories and
workshops thrived
 The Ming Dynasty established an era of
greatness in China
 The
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Voyages of Zheng He
1405
Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and eastern Africa
to impress the world with the power and splendor
of Ming China and to expand China’s tribute system
Chinese scholars-officials see the voyages as
wasteful
Seventh and last voyage ended in 1433
 The
first voyage had nearly 28,000 men
on 62 ships. (think about Columbus who
was sailing west about this time with 3
little ships and a small crew)
 The largest ship was over 440 ft long
(Columbus’s largest ship was 75 feet)
 When Emperor Yong Le died, the voyages
stopped and the entire fleet burned.
Chinese were no longer allowed to sail
outside the Chinese waters.
 Three
1.
2.
3.
potential reasons:
Conservative Confucianism
Lack of money in treasury
Focus on inland borders
after 200 years of rule ineffective rulers, corrupt
officials, bad harvests, economic issues, and
rebellion cause the fall of the Ming Dynasty
 the Manchu people from the northeast end of
the Great Wall invaded
 they took the name Qing for their dynasty that
lasted for more than 260 years

 bring
Taiwan, Chinese Central Asia, Mongolia,
and Tibet into China
 forced Chinese men to wear their hair in a
pigtail as a sign of submission to their rule
 uphold Confucian beliefs and social
structures
 made the frontiers safe and restored China’s
prosperity
 Kanxi,
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1661-1721
reduced government expenses
offers intellectuals government positions
keeps a relationship with Jesuits who keep him up to
date with developments in Europe
Kanxi’s grandson Qian-long rules China to its greatest
size and prosperity
continue policy of isolation and “Chinese rules“ for trade
 King
George III asks for a better trade
arrangement
 representative Lord George McCartney
refuses to kowtow the emperor
 Qian-long denies Britain’s request
 Why was the kowtow ritual important to the
Chinese emperor?