Honors Modern World History - Chapter 9

Study guide for modern world history students. Includes chapter 9.

Zheng He

Ming court official + explorer: led 7 exploration voyages between 1405 and 1433. These ships were advanced; longer than Colombus’ Santa Maria. He traveled through Southeast Asia, by the Indian Western Coast, and saw the East African city-states. (Chinese Official)

Kangxi

Qing emperor: ruled 1661-1722. Accomplishments included calming the unrest of the state, supporting education, and tolerating Christians. Later emperors were not as tolerant —> reason for fall. (Chinese Emperor)

Qianlong

Kangxi’s grandson, Qing emperor from 1736-1795. He faced internal issues as well as increasing pressure from European traders. (Chinese Emperor)

Oda Nobunaga

A Daimyo—head of Japanese family—He seized the imperial capital of Kyoto, and took control of the shogun (army basically). Unified the center of modern-day Japan in 1582. He was killed by one of his generals. He started the process of unifying Japan (Japanese Shogun)

Hideyoshi

The successor to Nobunaga. Went from a farmer’s son to a military commander. He made the new capital at Osaka. Persuaded most of the daimyo of Japanese families on the islands top accept his rule in 1590. Later led failed invasions to Korea in 1592 and 1597. He died in 1598. (Japanese Shogun)

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Powerful daimyo from Edo (modern-day Tokyo); took control of Japan. Took title of shogun in 1603. He finished the work—unity process— started from the previous two shoguns. His family’s rule brought a period of peace until 1868, called the “Great Peace”. (Japanese Shogun)

Queue

The hairstyle that Chinese people were forced to adopt after Manchu arrival. They shaved their foreheads, and the rest of their hair was braided back into a ponytail. Refusal meant rebellion, and that meant death. (Qing Dynasty)

Banners

Separate military units; composed of Manchu men. “Bannermen” were the main warriors of the empire. (Qing Dynasty)

Hostage System

A system where Daimyo had to keep two residents, one in Edo where the Shogun lived, and one in their homeland. His family always stayed in Edo, as the Daimyo would often have to leave for his duties—collecting taxes and reporting back to the Shogun—and his family being in Edo ensured that he behaved. Rebellion could cause his family to be killed. His family living in the imperial land though also meant that they were safe. (Japanese)

Eta

Japanese outcasts who were below the social hierarchy. Strict laws controlled where they lived, how they dressed, and the hairstyles they had.

Sent out explorers first, and as far away as Africa.

Ming Dynasty.

Established a nation-wide school system.

Ming Dynasty.

Renovated the Grand Canal.

Ming Dynasty.

Strengthened the Great Wall.

Ming Dynasty.

1368-1644.

Ming Dynasty.

Staffed government using the civil service exam system.

Ming Dynasty.

Dealt with foreign traders.

Both Dynasties.

Faced peasant rebellion.

Both Dynasties.

Government corruption weakened them.

Both Dynasties.

Forced people to adopt their dress + hairstyle.

Qing Dynasty.

Jesuit missionary efforts reached their high point.

Qing Dynasty.

Believed in a ‘closed country’ policy.

Qing Dynasty.

Established by outsiders.

Qing Dynasty.

Filled top ranks of government with Manchu people.

Qing Dynasty.

1644-1911

Qing Dynasty.

How did renovating the Grand Canal benefit the Ming Dynasty and China overall?

It allowed them to ship grain and other goods from Southern to Northern China.

What was important about the arrival of the Portuguese in China in 1514?

It was the first direct contact between China and Europe since Marco Polo in the 1270s. The Portuguese arrived off the coast, and didn’t yet raise alarm in the Ming government.

How did the Chinese and Europeans benefit from their early exchanges?

—European eyeglasses helped Chinese scholars to read.

—Christian missionaries were impressed by Confucianism ideals, the ability to print + access to books, and their architecture.

What caused the Ming Dynasty to lose the Mandate of Heaven?

1) High taxes, leading to a peasant revolt.

2) Failing crops, due to bad weather.

3) Major epidemic/pandemic.

4) Weak, uneducated, and corrupt leaders.

What happened to the last Ming emperor?

He committed suicide, hanging himself from a tree in the palace garden as he didn’t want to deal with the failing country.

What problems did the Manchu face, trying to establish the Qing Dynasty?

The Manchus were outsiders, originally farming and hunting people. They were different ethnically and culturally. It’s hard to control a country when you only make up 1% of the population.

What effective method helped the Qing Dynasty to unite it’s people; successfully establishing it?

1) The Manchus put Chinese people into imperial administration; low and local positions. Never high roles, as those were reserved solely for Manchus.

2) Forced their hair (queue) and dress.

3) Adopted bits of Confucianism (as it was related to their people), but Manchus were always on top.

What caused the White Lotus Rebellion? What resulted for the Qing dynasty?

Corrupt officials and high taxes led to unhappy peasants. It lasted for 10 years, but the peasant revolt was eventually shut down. However, it put the government into a lot of debt; the fighting weakened the Qing Dynasty.

What restrictions did the Qing place on European traders? (3)

1) All European traders confined to live and work at one post on a small island.

2) They could only stay there for 6 months, October to March. This was because of the monsoon winds; they wanted the Europeans to be able to arrive and leave easily.

3) The Europeans could only trade with government-licensed businesses, which was very limited.

Why were the British unhappy about the restrictions? How did Qianlong respond?

The British wanted to ‘shop around’; access more markets. They got Lord George Macartney to travel to China, from India, and he asked for better circumstances. Emperor Qianlong declined the request, and mocked the Europeans. “We have no need for your goods.”

What Europeans were the first to arrive in Japan? What products did the Japanese enjoy?

Portuguese traders on islands in 1542. The Japanese liked tobacco, clocks, eyeglasses, and other European goods. The daimyo especially liked their firearms.

What caused the relationship between the Japanese and European Christians to sour?

Jesuits converted a majority of Japanese people. It was when they destroyed local shrines did Hideyoshi have a problem, and issued an edict, prohibiting Christian activities on land. The edict was loosely enforced at first however, and Jesuits continued.

How did the ascension of Tokugawa Ieyasu affect European access to Japan? (3)

When Tokugawa Ieyasu rose up, he was stricter on the edict.

1) Expelled ALL missionaries

2) Persecuted Japanese Christians.

3) European merchants were the next to leave.

What group of Europeans were exempt to the policy? Describe their access to Japan.

A small Dutch (Netherlands) community still had access to docks in Nagasaki, and could stay there for 2-3 months at a time, once every year. The Dutch boats had no cannons, and their people weren’t focused on conversion, but rather, their goal was trade.

What effect did the hostage system have on the daimyo of Japan?

It ensured loyalty to the Shogun. The daimyo always had to come back to his home in Edo if he wanted to see his family.

How was trade and industry impacted by the unification of Japan?

Some farmers profited by exploiting the growing demand for cash crops. Most peasants however, suffered, and had to turn to hired help. There were almost 7,000 revolts due to high taxes.

How were social classes impacted by the unification of Japan?

4 main classes, besides the Emperor and Imperial families at the top.

1) Warriors

• Shogun

• Daimyo

• Samurai

• Ronin

2) Peasants

• Farmers

3) Artisans

• Craftspeople

• Sword-makers

• Carpenters

4) Merchants

Describe women’s rights in Japan.

Not many, and they were often restricted. Males were heads of the house, with all the power. Failure to meet expectations was met with divorce, most of the time. They were valued though for being child-bearers, and home-makers.

What similarities are there between Tokugawa literature, theater, and art, which was also present in European— during this time period?

Literature — Writing and books were created to please the audience.

Theatre — Kabuki; only men were allowed to act.

Art — Enriched by other cultures.

Why was Korea called the “Hermit Kingdom”?

Because the country kept to itself; had ‘isolationist’ policies. Had limited contact with other nations.

What outside threats did Korea face? What resulted?

Japanese forces from Hideyoshi invaded Korea, but the invaders were defeated. It was a bad aftermath though, towns & farms were burned, and skilled workers were kidnapped or killed.