Bentley Traditions and Encounters Chapter 27 Ming Qing China Outline

Tradition and Change in East Asia•Clocks became popular among elite of China when they were 1st introduced in 1601•Matteo Ricci a missionary caught emperor Wanli’s eye w/ clock & then persuaded him to convert to Christianity•Emperor however didn’t convert & missions attracted small numbers of converts•Europeans were active on coastlines in E. Asia since they controlled own affairs until 19th century•Japan also underwent change during 17-18th century•Tokugawa shoguns unified Japanese islands for 1st timeThe Quest for Political Stability•During 13-14th centuries China was ruled by Mongol’s Yuan dynasty (1279-1368)•Mongol overlord ignored Chinese political & cultural traditions & displaced bureaucrats•When Ming dynasty took over they wanted to restore cultural tradition in China•The following Qing dynasty were nomadic but also worked zealously to promote Chinese ways•Both promoted Chinese ways & #1 concern was maintaining the large agrarian societyThe Ming Dynasty•When Yuan dynasty collapsed Ming restored order (1368-1644)•Hongwu was founder of the Ming “brilliant” dynasty & drove out Mongols; built tightly centralized state•Made use of mandarins who traveled throughout land & oversaw implementation of gov.

The Ming Empire without its "vassal states" under ...

The Official Imperial Portrait of Ming Dynasty's E...

The Yongle Emperor observing court eunuchs playing...

•Also used many eunuchs (who had packages removed)•Emperor Yongle (1403-1424) launched a series of naval expeditions•Moved capital from Nanjing to Beijing to keep a closer eye on the Mongols & Korea•Ming built new fortifications like Great Wall (early walls fell to ruin from B.C.E.)•Emperors sought to restore Chinese traditions•Individuals abandoned Mongol names & dress•Gov. supported & financed study of culture & Confucianism for academies•Recovered civil service exam•Started to decline from inept (incompetent) emperors•Ming navy & coastal defenses were ineffective & pirates caused many problems•later emperors lived lavishly in forbidden city & relied on eunuchs to conduct business•Emperor Wanli (1572-1620) refused to meet w/ gov. officials•Eunuchs only used power to increase own wealth•Many generals deserted Ming b/c of corruption & inefficiency•Horrible famine struck & ppl ate tree bark...