asian transtitions 1450-1750

3 main zones of Asian sea trade

Arab- glass, carpets, tapestries

India- cotton textiles

China- porcelain, paper, silk textiles

Why did Europe begin to dominate Indian Ocean trade

1. Better warfare tech. (Ships and weapons)

2. Element of surprise, and Asia was too divided to collectively band against Europe

3. Factories- Portuguese kept Asian goods in factories until they could bring it home, jack up prices

Why were malacca, Aden, and ormuz choke points

They were narrow areas of land people needed to go through to reach trading areas. Portuguese gained control of trade networks

Dutch vs. Portuguese trading empires use of military

Dutch had superior ships to Portuguese. Dutch captured many Portuguese ports and their malacca fortress. They gain control over Java and coffee growth.

Portuguese use coastal town raiding, choke points, and their ships and weapons were superior to Asian rivals.

They both used fortresses, malacca, and patrol warships

euro tribute systems in Asia

They let natives keep original culture, govt

They made natives pay tribute through agricultural products

Why euro missionaries less successful in Asia than in americas

Islam had already spread, especially in coastal trade areas

Hinduism, Europeans unknowing of this, thinking they were Christian’s

Francis Xavier

Jesuit Spanish missionary, appealed to Indian low caste “untouchables” and converted many. But this also alienates upper caste

Why were missionary efforts in Asia most successful in phillipenes

Phillipenes was more isolated, not exposed to Islam or Buddhism. Spain conquers parts. Friars become govt officials, governed in churches, converted filipino leaders. Many fuse their own beliefs with catholicism

Hongwu emperor

Man who founds ming dynasty in 1368, was originally a peasant, created rebel band to overthrow the mognols, as China was filled with famine and corruption. Drove out Mongolian culture/ influence

Ming accomplishments

1. Reestsablished scholar gentry, Confucian bureaucracy, civil service exams

2. Put in harsher punishments for bureaucrats like public humiliation

3. Public work projects, dyke building, irrigation