Transcript 3.2 notes

Chapter 3.2
China’s Exploration
Ming Dynasty
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Hongwu becomes first Ming emperor – drives
Mongols out of China
Begins agricultural reforms – increases food
production
Returns to traditional values in China
Confucian values
 Merit-based government exams
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Ming Dynasty
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Yonglo – Hongwu’s son
Continues dad’s policies
Moves capital city to Beijing
Wants to expand China’s tribute system
Tribute = payment from a weak country to a
strong country to acknowledge its submission
Zheng He
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Zheng He = China’s greatest explorer
Leads 7 voyages of Chinese exploration and discovery
Purpose of travels = impress the world with China’s
power
Zheng He’s fleet = 40 – 300 ships, 27,000 people
Distributed treasures to show Chinese superiority
China received much tribute in return
Chinese officials claim trips are worthless
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Why spend money telling the world what they already know?
Chinese Isolation
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China limits contact with outside world
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Foreign trade to occur in 3 ports only
Building of Chinese businesses opposite of
Chinese philosophy
Foreign trade did not keep all $$ in China
 Believed farming was more honorable
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Qing Dynasty
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Qing Dynasty takes over after the Ming
Qing leaders not Chinese; they’re from
Manchuria
Many citizens disliked the leaders because of
this
Qing leaders earn citizens’ respect
Upheld Confucian beliefs
 Make terrirory safe
 Bring China back to prosperity
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Qing Dynasty
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Isolation continues
China very arrogant
Expect rest of world to “kowtow” to them
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Ritual to show submission
Most countries too proud to kowtow to China
Only Dutch participate in ritual – gain many
economic benefits