ming & qing dynasties

Ming & Qing Dynasties

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644• The end of the Yuan saw a rapid inflation,

corruption of the Tibetan clergy who controlled the Chinese clergy and interfered in political affairs, and rebellions of the exploited Chinese population against Mongol and other foreign officials.

• One of the rebellions attracted the poor monk Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398) who later became the head of a rebel army and successfully fought against the Mongols as well as other contenders for power. He founded the Ming dynasty and became known as Emperor Hongwu.

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644

Founded by a peasant, Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398)aka Emperor Hongwu

Hongwu• Led revolt against the

Yuan Dynasty• Paranoid by end of rule• Creates laws to improve

peasant lives• Didn’t encourage trade• Strict Confucian• Increases status of

military/ strengthens the military

• Centralizes government- eliminates high officials and replaces with mandarins and eunuchs

Yonglo (The Yongle Emperor): Hongwu’s son

• Moves the capital to Beijing

• Launches exploration• 7 voyages under Zheng

He, Muslim Admiral• 1st in 1405• Voyages end due to

influence of officials worried about barbarians to the north and cost

• 1433 China withdrawals into isolation

Late Ming

• Jesuits- Matteo Ricci - 1500’s

• Tries to convert Emperor Wanli

• Pope and Emperor hinder efforts

Rise of Qing• Qing- pure• Qing were Manchus,

not Han Chinese• 17th century

expansion

Rise of Qing• 1644- control

Beijing• 1644-90- South

China and Taiwan• 1690-1750-

Central Asia- largest country in the world

Qing Political Organization• Separation of Manchu and

Han• All high government

positions to the Manchus• No intermarriage is

allowed• Han had to adopt the

Manchu haircut as a sign of submission. “Queue” front and top shaved and grown long in back

• Han scholar gentry still in bureaucracy

• Civil Service Exams become more competitive

Qing Political Organization• Very

Centralized Government

• Emperor becomes known as “Son of Heaven”

• Secluded life• “Theater

State”- ritual, pomp, emphasizes glory of ruler

Two Important Qing Emperors• Kangxi (1661-1722)-

talented general, expands empire, manages economy well

• Qianlong (1736-1795)- ECONOMY!!! Cancels tax collection four times during his rule

• China is well organized with an influence in most of Asia after these two emperors

Economy Under the Qing• Based on agriculture• Intensive, high yield methods• Rice, Millet, Wheat• Enhanced by American crops

by way of the Philippines- Maize, Sweet Potatoes, Peanuts

• Made use of previously unusable land

• Leads to population growth• Supports a large labor force

and trade• Trade Chinese luxury goods for

American Silver• Silk, Porcelain, Tea• Focus on human labor for

production• Ignores technology in

preference for human labor

Social Aspects of the Qing Dynasty• Increase in

patriarchy during Qing

• Preference for male children- exam system

• Widows encouraged to commit suicide

• Foot binding becomes more popular

• Women can not divorce, but men can for adultery or disobedience

FootBinding

Foot Binding