Transcript The Ming and Qing Empires

China during
the Ming and
Qing Empires
Notes: Chapter 17.1 – 17.2
Ming Foreign Policy
Early Ming dynasty –
very advanced
sailors
1405 – Reached
India
1415 – Reached
Southern Coast of
Arabian Peninsula
Later Ming Emperors
had little interest in
sea-power or foreign
trade
Ming Foreign Policy (cont.)
Defeated the
Mongols in 1368
Restored
Confucianism
Wanted China to
be self-sufficient
Focused on
protecting the
Northern Frontier
Chose frontier
defense over trade
and sea travel
Founding the Qing Dynasty
1644, the Manchu
captured Beijing
Qing Emperors
adopted Chinese
culture
Also tried to keep the
Manchu people
separate and distinct
from the Chinese
Ruled until 1912
Decline of the Qing Dynasty
Faced problems of over-population
Corruption and government
inefficiency became commonplace
1796 – White Lotus Rebellion
The Portuguese
1514 – Portuguese ships reached the
southeastern coast of China
Many Jesuit missionaries arrived
Jesuits’ power aroused jealousy and
concern among some Chinese
leaders
Emperors denounced Christianity as
anti-Confucian
The British
The British East India Company
monopolized new trade in Chinese teas
Many British felt the need for Free Trade
with China
1793 and 1816, British officials asked the
Chinese government to open more ports
1833, British abolished the British East
India Company’s monopoly
The Opium Trade
British switched from trading Cotton to trading
Opium with China
The Chinese Government became very alarmed
1839-1842, Opium War
1842 – Treaty of Nanjing
British enforced a policy of extraterritoriality
Chinese continued to sign “unequal” treaties
Rebellions
Hong Xiuquan began to lead a revolt
1850-1864, Taiping Rebellion
Late 1870s, Qing finally put down
these rebellions.
Seriously weakened both Qing
dynasty and the nation as a whole