Ming and Qing Dynasties

Last 3 Dynasties (Beijing)

• Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368)– Mongolian– north of China proper

• Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)– Han Chinese

• Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)– Manchu– northeast of China proper

Confucian culture

• modern concept of political nation state

• Chinese defined by Confucian culture

• civil service exam (605-1905)– social mobility– reward diligence, discipline, and willpower,

but not talent or innovation

Social hierarchy and mobility

• scholar-officials, farmers, artisans, and merchants

• scholar-official-landlord– learning, political power, and economic wealth

• local elite (gentry) and lineage

• lack of work ethic– literati’s long gown– foot-binding for women

Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

China’s Tributary System

• Traditional system for managing foreign relations

• The ``Central Kingdom” worldview

• Ming dynasty had the most extensive tributary system– tributes from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast

Asia, and even West Asia and Africa

Zheng He’s fleet (1405 - 1433)

• Over 300 ships & 20,000 men

• trade and commerce

• Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and East Africa

Zheng He’s expeditions

Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912)

• Ming dynasty fell in 1644 amid peasant uprisings and Manchu invasion

• Manchu and Han Chinese

Ming and Qing Emperors

Mandate of Heaven

The 6 Bu

• Ministries

• 6-Bu system started in early Tang Dynasty (618 - 907)

The 6 Bu (ministries)

• Ministry of Personnel

• Ministry of Revenue

• Ministry of Rites

• Ministry of Military

• Ministry of Criminal Justice

• Ministry of Public Works

Emperor & Macartney (1793)