Studied by 51 people
Renaissance
Period of cultural rebirth in Europe from the 14th to 17th centuries. Marked by a renewed interest in art, science, literature, and humanism. Led to significant advancements in various fields and the rediscovery of classical Greek and Roman knowledge.
Reasons Italian city states were so powerful
Mini-industrial powerhouses
Cities of Venice and Genda got rich from trade (specifically with the Ottoman)
Why were textiles so valuable?
Their colors remained vibrant thanks to alum
How did rulers generate revenue in order to forward state power and expansion?
Tribute collection
Tax farming
Tax-collection systems
Mughal zamindar tax collection
Ottoman tax farming
Mexica tribute lists
Ming practice of collecting taxes in hard currency
Mongols in China (1271-1368)
Conquered by Mongols in 1230s and originally ruled by Ogodei
Established the Yuan Dynasty
Kublai Khan created an oppressive tax-farming system instead of the traditional fixed-rate method of taxation
Also brought benefits: secure trade routes, exchange of experts between east and west, transmission of skills, ideas, information
Made Beijing their capital
Eastern terminus of caravan routes
Began the Forbidden City
Established social hierarchy where Mongols were at the top, followed by Central Asians, Middle Easterners, Northern Chinese, and finally Southern Chinese
The Cosmopolitan Yuan Dynasty
Some Confucian scholars were involved in the government, but they were largely displaced by Mongols who appointed merchants and outsiders with government positions
For example, a Muslim governor from Central Asia (Sayyid Ajall Shams al-Din) was placed in charge of a Chinese province
Persian, Arab, and Uighur administrators staffed the offices of taxation and finance
Muslim scholars worked at calendar-making and astronomy
Economy in the Yuan
Merchants (previously despised by Confucian elites and scholars) were a privileged group under Mongol rule
Civil service exam lost importance
Elite families turned to new professions and opportunities since government positions were no longer available to them
Led to business and merchant class boom
Agricultural base was damaged by war, over taxation, and passage of armies
Tried to use paper money but there was little faith in the system
Fall of the Yuan Dynasty
1340s, fights among Mongol princes broke out
In 1368 a charismatic Chinese leader (Zhu Yuanzhang) also known as the Hongwu Emperor destroyed the Yuan Empire and brought China under the control of the new Ming Dynasty
Many Mongols, as well as Muslims, Jews, and Christians, remained in China
Many other Mongols returned to Mongolia and welcomed back refugees from the Yuan collapse
Ming did not dominate all the Mongols, but participated with the remaining tribes using the tribute system
Some become a continued threat along the Ming borders
Ming Dynasty China (1368-1644)
Chinese culture & civilization had been disrupted by a century of Mongol rule
Population had been reduced by the plague
Early decades of Ming Dynasty = efforts to eliminate all signs of foreign rule (i.e. Mongol names and dress) while promoting Confucian learning based on models from the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties
Emperor Yongle (reigned 1402-1422) sought to compile all previous writing on history, geography, ethics, government, and more
China was looking to its past for inspiration and guidance
Ming China (1368-1500)
Initially moved capital to Nanjing (“southern capital”) on the Yangzi River
Used Confucianism to legitimize his rule
Initially, ended all relations with Central Asia and the Middle East
Imposed strict limits on imports and foreign visitors
Silver replaced paper money (not a good choice)
Emperor Yongle (1403-1424) moved capital back to Beijing
Added to the Forbidden Palace, making it what it is today
Political Power in Ming Dynasty China
Reestablished the civil service examination system that had been neglected under Mongol rule
Created highly centralized government
Power concentrated in the hands of the emperor while a cadre of eunuchs (castrated men) personally loyal to the emperor exercised great authority
Restored millions of acres of land to cultivation of crops
Built canals, reservoirs, and irrigation works & planting a billion trees to reforest China
Under Yongle, the economy rebounded & international and domestic trade flourished = population growth
During 15th century, China had recovered and was the best-governed and most prosperous of the world’s major civilizations
Ming Dynasty Porcelain
One of the best-known products of Ming technological advance was porcelain
Created “Ming ware” a blue-on-white style developed in the 1400s from Indian, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern motifs
Also known for: furniture, lacquered screens, and silk
Ming China and Maritime Expeditions
Since 11th century, Chinese sailors and traders had been a major presence in the South China Sea and in Southeast Asian port cities
Emperor Yongle launched an enormous fleet in 1405 which participated in seven expeditions in 28 years
Captained by the Muslim eunuch Zheng He (Jung Huh)
300 ships, crew of 27,000
Visited ports in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, India, Arabia, and East Africa
Wanted to enroll distant peoples into the Chinese tribute system where they presented tribute, performed the required rituals of submission, and received gifts in return as well as titles and trading opportunities
Zheng He’s expeditions were officially described as “bringing order to the world”
Also: established Chinese power & prestige in the Indian Ocean while exerting Chinese control over foreign trade in the region
Part of China’s legacy of utilizing the tribute system as part of their foreign policy
Chinese DID NOT:
Seek to conquer new territories
Establish Chinese settlements
Desire to spread their culture
Dhow v. Junk v. Caravel
Dhow→moderate-sized ship used in the western Indian Ocean usually with a lateen (triangular) sail and sewn with timber hull
Junk→Chinese (Tang, Song, & Ming) transport/trade ship designed for long-distance commercial trade; flat-bottomed
Caravel→small Portuguese sailing ship – easily maneuverable, could use square or lateen sails, strong enough to weather ocean storms & carry lots of goods
An abrupt end to maritime expedition
After 1433 Chinese authorities stopped such expeditions and allowed the expensive fleet to deteriorate in the ports
Partly because of the death of Emperor Yongle who had been the patron of the enterprise
Many high-ranking officials had seen the voyages as a waste of resources because they thought of China as being self-sufficient, requiring little help or assistance from the outside world.
Saw expeditions as the hobby of eunuchs, who government officials despised
Saw real threats as coming from the north where nomadic barbarians still troubled the borders
The decline of the Ming
Problems defending borders
Nomadic groups successful forays across Great Wall
Weak emperors
Corruption (particularly among the long-resented eunuchs)
Court factions bickering for the emperor's favor
Peasant rebellions
Manchurians (foreign nomads from beyond the Great Wall) won the Mandate of Heaven
Renamed empire the Qing (pure) Dynasty
Not Han Chinese
Manchus (considered “barbarians” from the north)
Founded and maintained a new era for China
The Qing Dynasty
Manchu gained control of Beijing and began campaign to conquer rest of Ming territory
By late 18th century China reached largest size in history; largest country in the world
Transition from Ming to Qing not as difficult as transitions between dynasties in earlier periods
Manchu had been close to Chinese civilization and had adapted many Chinese customs and attitudes
Some gave their support to Manchu in taking over government
The Qing Dynasty: political organization
Qing encouraged separation between Manchu and Chinese (Han)
Highest posts filled by Manchu
Confucian scholar-gentry kept most positions in bureaucracy
Manchu rulers wanted to preserve ethnic identity
Forbade intermarriage (between Han Chinese and Manchus)
Chinese men forced to shave front of heads and grow queue as a sign of submission to dynasty
Civil service exams became more competitive with tests given on district, provincial, and metropolitan levels
State tightly controlled at center; Son of Heaven view clearly in place
Emperor led secluded but privileged life in Forbidden City
“Theatre state” apparent
Sumptuous palace and customs
Emperor’s clothing
Kowtow (bowing/deference shown during tribute)
Manchu dynasty strengthened by two strong emperors
Kangxi and Qianlong
Together rule spanned 130 years
Cemented prosperous, powerful, culturally rich empire
Both sophisticated Confucian scholars
Managed Chinese economy efficiently
Kangxi a talented military leader
Qianlong brought such prosperity that he cancelled tax collections four times
Late 18th c. China a well-organized empire; its influence firmly established in most parts of east Asia
The Qing Dynasty: economic and social characteristics
Prosperity based upon
Agriculture; high yields from new methods
Rice, wheat, millet
New foods from Americas
Maize, sweet potatoes, peanuts raised on soil not appropriate for previous crops
New foods sustained rapid increase in population
Population outpaced food supply but not evident before 1750
Population growth supported by trade and influx of American silver
Chinese workers produced silk, porcelain, and tea
New silver supplies generally helped Chinese economy
Patriarchal society
Control over women probably increased late Ming to Qing
Confucian ideals strong
Preference for male children clear (only males could take civil service exam which could boost family status)
Women encouraged to commit suicide after husbands died
Foot binding popular
Women could not divorce husbands
Men could put wives aside for disobedience or adultery
High status of scholar bureaucrats
Distinctive clothing
Income from government service
Lived in urban areas
Owned land that brought additional income
Below gentry were peasants, artisans, and merchants
Merchants with the lowest status since peasants more worthy; considered honest work
Merchants did not create any tangible products
Lower classes often called ‘mean people’ which included slaves, indentured servants, and beggars
The Qing Dynasty: cultural influences
Beyond Neo-confucianism a rich cultural life emerged in philosophy, literature, and history
Emperors supported printing and distribution of materials
Yongle sponsored Yongle’s Encyclopedia
Kangxi’s Collection of Books
Popular novels circulated two often best know to novels are the Book of the Golden Lotus and the Dream of the Red Chamber
Porcelain became major art form during Ming and Qing
Vases, decorative bowls, painted scrolls and screens in demand
Prices rose and production increased
Prosperous Chinese also filled homes with goods; many items did not go to international trade
By 1700’s many Chinese could read and children went to to schools and academies
Calligraphy, painting, and poetry more prized than math and science
Members of the scholar-gentry led refined, comfortable lives
Kangxi Dictionary
The Kangxi Dictionary was the standard Chinese dictionary during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Kangxi Emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty ordered its compilation in 1710. It used the earlier Zihui system of 214 radicals, today known as 214 Kangxi radicals, and was published in 1716. The dictionary is named after the Emperor's era name.
The dictionary contains more than 47,000 characters, though some 40% of them are graphic variants. In addition, there are rare or archaic characters, some of which are attested only once. Fewer than a quarter of the characters it contains are now in common use.
1450 - issues with trade
From the Crusades onward, Western elites had become used to increasing consumption of Asian luxury products, including spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, silks, sugar, perfumes, and jewels.
In exchange for luxury items, Europeans mainly had cruder goods to offer: wool, tin, copper, honey, and salt
The resulting unfavorable balance of trade had to be made up in gold, but western Europe had only a limited supply
By 1400, the constant drain to Asia was creating a gold famine that threatened the whole European economy with collapse
Until the Spanish discover silver in the New World (U4)
Bureaucratic elites or military professionals
Ottoman devshirme
Salaried samurai
Religious ideas
Mexica practice of human sacrifice
European notions of divine right
Songhai promotion of Islam
Art and monumental architecture
Qing imperial portraits
Incan sun temple of Cuzco
Mughal mausolea and mosques
European palaces, such as Versailles
Sea-Based Empires
Develop a navy, invest in exploration, and establish colonies in newly discovered or conquered lands.
Land-Based Empires
Develop armies, expand territory, invest in domestic expansion without developing strong navies and colonies and in come cases, practice isolationist policies.
Land-based v. Sea-based
Sea-based empires as one major theme but also traditional land-based empires that continued to dominate the Middle East and Asia (and a new land-based empire: Russia)
The era after 1450 is commonly called the Age of Gunpowder Empires due to the use of guns to subjugate enemies and build control
Land-based empires continued to rely on armies, roads, and inland urban areas
Both sea-based and land-based powers made use of guns, cannons, and musket
Ottoman, Safavid, and the Mughal Empires
Islamic
Represent the height of Muslim political and military power in world history
Countered the growing European global influence
All three on decline by 1750; sea-based powers were still on the rise
Were not competing for overseas territories like the Europeans
The Ottoman Empire
Began as small Turkic warrior group that slowly migrated into Anatolia
Named for Osman
Lasted from the 14th to early 20th century
Ottomans successfully conquered territory in eastern Europe, stopped at the gates of Vienna
Very diverse, culturally and politically sophisticated empire
One of the most powerful empires of its time along with the Inca and Qing China
Anatolia
Modern day Turkey
The rise of the Ottoman
Ottomans Captured Constantinople in 1453
Ended the Christian Byzantine Empire
Hagia Sophia became a mosque
Reached its height under Suleiman the Magnificent
Conquered Belgrade
Controlled the water traffic between the Black and Mediterranean Seas
Venice as a tributary state
Ottoman army continued to expand and defend frontiers
Ottoman sultans had large bureaucracies centered in Istanbul
Ottomans plagued by problems of succession
Common for sons to go to war with each other
The empire was diverse (cosmopolitan)
The rulers (sultans) combined roles of Turkic warrior prince, Muslim caliph, and conquering emperor
Referred to as the “sword of Islam”
Woman in the Ottoman Empire
Initially Turkic women had more rights (because they were pastoral) but gradually adopted Islam and were then veiled and secluded
Official census did not count women
However, women in the royal court maintained power and influence in politics
Women had property rights
Could protect legal rights in matters of marriage, divorce, and inheritance
Roxelana (seen to the right) was the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent
Was a controversial member of the “Sultanate of Women”
A time when the wives and mothers of the sultan exercised power of the Sultan and made decisions for the empire
Known as the most powerful and influential women in Ottoman history
Military elites: janissaries
New elite military group, Janissaries, checked their power
System known as devshirme required Christian boys to become slaves of sultan
Given guns and heavy artillery (too heavy for cavalry)
Came to control the weapons that ensured the Ottomans continuing military success
Gave them political and economic power
Old aristocrats found themselves out of military power just as economic weaknesses greatly reduced incomes from their lands
Janissaries had a say in the sultan’s decisions by the mid-16th century
Ottoman empire: economic challenges
Istanbul
Wealthy
Cosmopolitan, Controlled trade routes, Primary seaport, Bazaars
Economic decline set in by the mid 17th century
Empire probably reached the limits of expansion
Empire too large to be maintained
Corruption among local governments
High taxes for peasants
Peasants revolts
Succession issues –sons of sultans held as hostages to prevent coups
Led to sheltered, pleasure loving less competent rulers
Demands by Janissaries not only for political power but also for high salaries
Sultan began to reduce the number of landholding cavalrymen, causing unrest among displaced cavalrymen
Inflation caused by increasing amount of New World silver – negative global effect
Ottoman sultan collected taxes according to legally fixed rates
as value of silver declined, tax revenues stayed the same
Ottomans were at a disadvantage when trading in the world market
Religious law limited the government ability to reform tax laws
When bureaucrats came up with special surtaxes, met with resistance
Ottoman empire: cultural and social characteristics
Majority Sunni Muslims
As a result of expansion; large numbers of Christians and Jews
Also, remember they conquered the Byzantines who had been Greek Orthodox Christians
Istanbul was cosmopolitan
Crossroads of trade & sultans supported public works
Invited religious scholars, artists, poets, and architects
Hagia Sophia restored as a mosque, aqueducts built, city walls repaired
Suleymaniye Mosque with impressive domes
Social structure
Large numbers of merchants and artisans
Artisans organized into guilds
The Ottoman Empires falls behind
Conservative religious leaders in the empire insulated the empire from new cultural and technological developments in Europe
Saw European societies as backwards and own civilization as superior
Similar to China’s attitude about the West
Prevented the Ottomans from adopting western technology and ideas
Printing press brought by Jews after being expelled from Spain; not allowed to print anything in Turkish or Arabic
As a result, the empire virtually untouched by the print revolution
Safavid Empire
Grew from Turkish nomadic group (similar to Ottomans)
Shi’ite Muslims
True heirs of Islam were the descendants of Ali
Ismail led army who united large area south of the Caspian Sea
As Safavids expanded they came into conflict with Ottomans
Hostilities intensified by Shi’ite Sunni split
Met at Chaldiran in NW Persia
Religious conflict at the heart
Illustrated the importance of the new gunpowder technology
Ismail sent cavalry armed with sword and knives to fight Janissaries with their cannons and muskets
Safavids slaughtered, Ottomans won decisive victory but didn’t follow up due to approaching winter
Safavids recovered, built up artillery, and continued to fight Ottomans for two centuries
Battle at Chaldiran a marker event
Set the limits for Shi’ite expansion with consequences still apparent today
Iran is in the midst of predominantly Sunni countries conflicts continue
Shah Abbas I – Safavids at peak
Captures boys in Russia and educated to be soldiers; converted to Islam (similar to Janissaries)
Slave infantrymen trained to use firearms
Gave increasing power at the expense of the traditional qizilbash
Abbas brought in European advisors to assist in wars with Ottomans
Improved cannons and musket
Army swelled in size and efficiency, but no Safavid navy built to compete with the sea-based trade that was transforming the world
Safavid Empire: politics and religion
Safavid rulers based authority on military prowess and religious authority
Traced authority to Sufi religious order
Expansion seen as extension of Islam to new lands
Saw the Europeans as infidels
Also believe that defeating the Sunni was an act of faith
Persian traditions shaped by Safavid political system
Sumptuous palaces
Highly ritualized court
Local mosque officials, mullahs, supervised and supported by state
Gave government the upper hand
Safavid Empire: social
Turkish chiefs challenged early shahs
Chiefs gradually transformed into warrior elite (similar to cavalry elite in Ottoman Empire)
Supervised farms, asserted political power, captured powerful positions in the imperial bureaucracy
Shahs appointed Persians to fill other bureaucratic positions
Gave authority to slave infantrymen
Safavid Empire: economic and social organization
Economic→
Shahs supported trade
Isfahan (capital) major center of international trade
Network of road and workshops to manufacture textiles and rugs
Inland – not as many traders as Istanbul (why?)
Guilds
Silk production
Carpets – signature business
Also negatively impacted by inflation caused by flood of silver
Social→
Not cosmopolitan
Armenians kept in suburbs across river; most people in city were Shi'ite
Majority of people lived in rural areas, farming
Nomadic groups
Safavid Empire: cultural
Mixture of Turkish and Persian
Iranian scholars more likely to use Persian
In other Islamic lands more likely to read and write in Arabic
Cultural traditions like poetry, history, drama, and fiction kept Persian identify strong
Gradually separate identities seen by the time the Mongols invaded
When Ismail created Iran as a Shi’ite state reinforced differences
Architecture
Mosques in Islamic world relied on domes
Safavid domes decorated in brightly colored floral patterns that resemble Persian carpets
Istanbul known for massive simplicity
Safavid Empire: cultural characteristics
Blended Sufi mysticism with militant political objectives
Safavids traced ancestry to Safi al-Din, leader of Sufi religious order in NW Persia; empire founded on Sufi beliefs
Ismail deployed armies to spread Shi’ism w/an emphasis on mystic union w/God
Later Safavid shahs banned Sufi orders from the empire but Sufism continued to thrive
Like the Ottomans, Safavids gradually lost vigor
Collapsed in the 1720s
Victim of
Islamic infighting
Ever-growing dominance of sea-based powers
Mughal Empire
1450 – much of Indian subcontinent tenuously controlled by the Delhi Sultanate
Muslim leaders presided over a population that remained primarily Hindu – religious frictions (continues today)
1523 Babur founded Mughal Empire
Descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan
Dominated until the early 1700s (continued to rule in name until 1858 when the British were establishing greater colonial control over the subcontinent)
Babur’s invasion motivated by
Loss of ancestral homeland through inter-tribal warfare
Dreams of living up to reputation of ancestors
Military strategies responsible for success in capturing Delhi
Family’s control challenged after his death but son Humayan recaptured northern India and expanded the empire
The empire reached its height in power and influence under Babur’s grandson Akbar
Mughal political organization
Autocratic (like Ottoman and Safavid)
Power based on military might and religious authority
No navy (like Safavids), relied on army
Fought the infidels (the Hindu) spreading Islam
Some more tolerant (Akbar)
Succession issues (like Ottomans and Safavids); Mughal princes fought each other to become heir
Akbar incorporated rajas (regional Hindu leaders) into military and bureaucratic positions to alleviate tensions
Policy of cooperation and encouraged intermarriage
Abolished jizya
Ended ban on the building of new Hindu temples
Ordered Muslims to respect cows
Built strong bureaucracy modeled on a military hierarchy for collecting taxes
Each region surveyed and tax rates based on the region's potential for wealth
Most local officials (usually Hindu) kept positions if swore allegiance to Mughals and paid taxes
Reforms encouraged cooperation; great grandson Aurangzeb reinstituted many restrictions on the Hindus
Mughal Empire: economic
Land revenue granted to military and government officials in exchange for service (also in the Ottoman and Safavid)
Grew wealthy
As Mughal empire expanded, controlled commercial networks based on cotton, indigo, and silk
By 17th c overland trade with Europe going strong
Indian merchant ships were privately owned; many Indian goods carried into the Indian Ocean trade circuit were on Dutch and English vessels
Europeans brought trade goods from throughout Asia to trade for Indian cotton cloth and clothing due to growing demand in Europe
Mughal Empire: social
Patriarchal (same as Ottoman and Safavid)
Wives of rulers played key roles in all three empires
Suleiman the Magnificent’s wife convinced him to execute his eldest son so her son could succeed to the throne (Ottoman)
One Safavid ruler’s wife so enraged the qizilbash that they murdered her
Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Mughal Shah Jahan also amassed power. Taj Mahal built for her but plans for a black marble monument ended when Shah was imprisoned by his sons in a struggle for succession
Woman in the Mughal Empire
Status of women overall low in Indian society
Child marriage common (brides as young as nine)
Sati spread even though outlawed
Seclusion (purdah) strictly enforced for upper class women
Women veiled
Mughal culture
Religious conflicts permeated society
Akbar tried to reconcile the two with new Divine Faith
Combined M
uslim, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Christian, and Sikh beliefs
Wanted to unite under one realm and cement loyalty to the emperor
Didn’t catch on
Before Babur invaded, Nanuk (1469 – 1539) stressed meditation as a means of seeking enlightenment; drew upon both religions
Became guru of Sikhism
People formed a community free of caste distinctions
Mughal Shah Aurangzeb changed the nature of Sikhism when ordered the ninth guru beheaded because he refused to convert to Islam (1675)
Jahangir and Shah Jahan followed Akbar but less interest in military conquests and politics
Patrons of the arts
Promoted paintings of miniatures depicting life at court, battles, animals, and plants
Built public buildings
Blend of Persian and Hindu influence with lavish ornamentation
Ornamented tiles with semiprecious stones in lavish patterns (Ex: Taj Mahal)
Fatehpur Sikri – Akbar built an entirely new capital city
Abandoned after his death
Beauty famous throughout Islamic world
Library contained largest collection of books in the world
Scholars of all religions came
Akbar illiterate but loved to be read to
Akbar’s reputation as an important leader is based partly on his ability to revive a sense of political and cultural unity in the subcontinent (since Gupta)
Jahangir and Shah Jahan neglected political, economic, and military issues; loved pleasure
Aurangzeb tried to restore the empire but also to rid India of Hinduism; stirred up resentment
Conquered more land but the expenses of war left treasury empty
Local leaders plotted against him
Rolling back Akbar’s reforms undermined his government
After he died the empire was larger than ever but unstable
Europeans took advantage
Dutch, British, and French joint-stock companies eagerly sought to expand profitable trade in India
How did Sikhism develop?
Developed in South Asia in a context of interactions between Hinduism and Islam
Songhay/Songhai Empire
Began in West Africa in the 15th century
Mali began to collapse in the 1460s
Civil wars and competing trade routes caused decline
Songhay took over from the Mali Empire
Gained access to gold mines
Capital at Gao
Ruler was an absolutist authority over a centralized state
Lots of political violence as kings were overthrown by relatives
Important location on the trans-Saharan trade routes
Took over key trade cities: Timbuktu and Jenne
Major Islamic center of learning and commerce
Islam was only popular in the cities with rural areas keeping their traditional animist beliefs
Songhay conflicts with Morocco
The Songhay Empire was invaded by fellow Islamic state of Morocco in the 16th century
Morocco was in need of resources and money after fighting (and winning) wars against the Portuguese
Morocco was on the verge of bankruptcy and was looking for money
Morocco decided to invade the Songhay Empire because they believed gold mines were located there
Broke laws by attacking a fellow Muslim state
Songhay army outnumbered the Moroccans, but the Moroccans had superior gunpowder weapons and won the battle
Goa, Timbuktu, and Djenne were sacked by the Moroccans seeking treasure
Weakened the Songhay Empire which never recovered and eventually collapsed
Japanese political organizations
Japan organized politically and economically into feudalistic hierarchies
Emperor ruled in name only
Shogun (top military authority) wielded most real power
Powerful territorial lords, daimyos, had great deal of local control
Political power fragmented as a result
Each daimyo pledged allegiance to the shogun as overlord
Late 1500’s civil war
Toyotomi Hideyoshi broke power of warring daimyos and unified Japan under his authority
Dreamed of ruling Korea, China and India
Died before fulfilled ambitions but his actions sparked the unification for the first time in history, as step that was a crucial in the country’s rise to world power three centuries later
Samurai
Bushido - “way of the warrior”
unwritten law code for samurai
Began in 9th century CE
stressed frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and honor until death
born from Neo-Confucianism and Confucian texts during the Tokugawa-era
also influenced by Shinto and zen Buddhism
Seven virtues: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, loyalty
Social organization in feudal Japan
Social hierarchy influenced by Confucianism
Obedience and responsibilities of people of unequal ranks
Ruling elites included
Shogun, Daimyos, Samurai
Middle class
Peasants and artisans
Merchants at bottom
As peace settled and trade flourished, merchants became more prosperous and were among wealthiest
Samurai left with nothing to do in times of peace
Strict social hierarchy prevented samurai from other professions; many fell into debt
The Tokugawa Shogunate
Daimyos met under leadership of Tokugawa Ieyasu to establish centralized government in 1603
Lasted from 1603-1868
Also called Tokugawa bakufu; tent government
Implied that it was a temporary replacement for the power of the emperor (it wasn’t)
Tokugawa controlled Japan until 1868
Daimyos still retained power and authority
The Shogun’s authority was based on military might
Daimyos had to spend every other year at Tokugawa court (a way to keep their power in check)
Weakened daimyos in two ways
Expensive because they had to maintain two households
Daimyos absence from lands impaired ability to establish power base at home
Economic changes in Tokugawa Japan
Political unification encouraged economic growth
Growth rooted in agriculture
Water control
Irrigation
Use of fertilizer
Similar to China
Yields of rice and other foods meant rapid population growth
Curbed population growth by using birth control, late marriage, abortion, infanticide
Japan had limited space available
Limited geography , mountainous land, poor soil
Culture in Tokugawa Japan
Culture shaped by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shintoism
Elite influenced by Neoconfucianism
Buddhism and Shintoism more influential among common people
Shintoism promoted as important source of Japanese identity
Literacy rates high (less characters than Chinese)
Wood-block printing and moveable type made mass production of reading materials possible
Poetry, novels, social satires, and kabuki plays most common forms of urban literature
Kabuki
Drama with singing, dancing, and elaborate staging
Setting for plays often the ‘floating worlds’
Teahouses
Public baths
Brothels
Allowed people to escape rigid public decorum
Bunraku; puppet theatre also popular
Japan and the Europeans
Portuguese traders and missionaries (mainly Jesuits) arrived in Japan in the 16th century (1700s)
Followed by Dutch, Spanish, and English merchants
Japan was decentralized at the time, in constant internal conflict, and the Japanese welcomed European gunpowder weapons and knowledge
Led to growth of Christianity in Japan (300,000 converts)
But things changed when Japan became unified under the Tokugawa Shogunate
Shoguns and government officials began to view Europeans as a threat
Threatened Japanese culture and the power of the shoguns
Expelled Christian missionaries
Violently suppressed Christians and practicing Christianity
Executed missionaries and Japanese who would not give up practicing their faith
Banned Western books
Shoguns forbade Japanese from traveling abroad
Banned European merchants and travelers
Only the Dutch could trade and at only ONE port
For 200 years (1650-1850) Japan practiced isolationism
Continued to trade with China, Korea, and SE Asia
The Medici
Powerful Italian family
Economic power: Controlled large bank
Political power: Various family members served as Popes, Dukes, and Queens
Patrons of artists (Da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo) and scientists (Galileo)
Use of perspective
Renaissance artists discovered perspective,
a mathematical tool that allowed them to represent a 3D object in a 2D painting.
Leonardo Da Vinci
A true “Renaissance Man”
Inventor, painter, artist, mathematician, etc., etc.
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