East Asian Dynasties, Trade Systems, and Reforms: Ming to Meiji

Tributary System

A diplomatic and trade network established by Imperial China, especially during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Neighboring states such as Korea, Vietnam, and Japan participated by sending tribute missions to acknowledge China's superiority.

Significance of Tributary System

It reinforced China's position as the cultural and political center of East Asia and maintained regional order. It also allowed for controlled trade and cultural exchange while projecting Chinese power and prestige.

Characteristics of Tributary System

Based on Confucian hierarchy and ritualized submission. Foreign rulers sent envoys with gifts, receiving trade privileges and protection in return. Symbolized a Sinocentric world order.

Jinshi

The highest degree in the imperial examination system in imperial China, officially established during the Tang dynasty (618-907) and lasting until 1905.

Significance of Jinshi

It represented scholarly achievement and was the primary pathway to government service, shaping China's meritocratic bureaucracy.

Characteristics of Jinshi

Tested Confucian classics, poetry, and policy writing. Granted access to high-ranking bureaucratic posts. Created an elite scholar-official class (the literati).

Matteo Ricci

An Italian Jesuit missionary (1552-1610) who entered China during the Ming dynasty.

Significance of Matteo Ricci

He was the first Western scholar to successfully bridge European and Chinese cultures through science, religion, and philosophy.

Characteristics of Matteo Ricci

Mastered Chinese language and Confucian thought. Introduced Western mathematics, astronomy, and maps. Advocated cultural accommodation in missionary work.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

The founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan, ruling from 1603 to 1605 (and his descendants until 1868).

Significance of Tokugawa Ieyasu

He unified Japan after decades of civil war, establishing over 250 years of peace and stability during the Edo period.

Characteristics of Tokugawa Ieyasu

Centralized feudalism with strict social hierarchy. Restricted foreign trade and Christianity. Maintained control through the daimyo system.

Imjin War

The Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598) led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Significance of Imjin War

It devastated Korea, strengthened Ming-Korean alliance, and revealed Japan's growing military ambition.

Characteristics of Imjin War

Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin's naval victories using turtle ships. Massive loss of life and cultural heritage in Korea. Prelude to shifts in East Asian power balance.

King Sejong

Fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea (r. 1418-1450).

Significance of King Sejong

Renowned for his cultural and scientific achievements, especially the creation of Hangul (Korean alphabet).

Characteristics of King Sejong

Promoted Confucian governance and literacy. Advanced astronomy, agriculture, and music. Strengthened Korean cultural identity.

Bakuhan System

The political structure of Tokugawa Japan combining bakufu (central shogunal government) and han (domain governments) from 1603 to 1868.

Significance of Bakuhan System

It balanced centralized authority and regional autonomy, stabilizing Japan under Tokugawa rule.

Characteristics of Bakuhan System

Shogun held ultimate authority; daimyo ruled local domains. Rigid class system reinforced social order. Required loyalty through Sankin kotai system.

Sankin Kotai

A policy established by Tokugawa Ieyasu in the 1630s requiring daimyo to alternate residence between their domains and Edo.

Significance of Sankin Kotai

It prevented rebellion by draining daimyo wealth and ensuring loyalty to the shogun.

Characteristics of Sankin Kotai

Families of daimyo remained in Edo as hostages. Stimulated economic growth through travel and trade routes. Maintained political stability and social hierarchy.

Cohong

A guild of Chinese merchants licensed by the Qing government to control trade with Westerners at Canton (Guangzhou) during the 18th-early 19th centuries.

Significance of Cohong

It symbolized Qing efforts to regulate foreign trade under the Canton System before the Opium Wars.

Characteristics of Cohong

Limited Western trade to specific merchants and ports. Profitable but corrupt system. Abolished after the Treaty of Nanjing (1842).

Treaty of Nanjing

Signed in 1842 between Britain and Qing China, ending the First Opium War.

Significance of Treaty of Nanjing

Marked the beginning of China's 'Century of Humiliation' and opened China to foreign imperialism.

Characteristics of Treaty of Nanjing

Ceded Hong Kong to Britain. Opened five treaty ports for trade. Imposed indemnities and abolished Cohong monopoly.

Lin Zexu

Qing official (1785-1850) known for his moral integrity and leadership during the First Opium War.

Significance of Lin Zexu

He led the crackdown on opium trade, making him a national hero in China's fight against imperialism.

Characteristics of Lin Zexu

Destroyed opium stockpiles in Canton in 1839. Advocated moral reform and anti-drug policy. Symbol of Chinese resistance to Western exploitation.

Extraterritoriality

A legal principle established through unequal treaties (19th century) allowing foreigners to be tried under their own nation's laws while in China or Japan.

Significance of Extraterritoriality

Undermined sovereignty of East Asian nations and expanded Western influence.

Characteristics of Extraterritoriality

Applied in treaty ports. Reflected colonial imbalance of power. Abolished gradually as nations modernized.

Fukuzawa Yukichi

Japanese scholar and reformer (1835-1901) during the Meiji era.

Significance of Fukuzawa Yukichi

Advocated Western learning and modernization as essential to Japan's independence and progress.

Characteristics of Fukuzawa Yukichi

Founder of Keio University. Promoted ideas of 'civilization and enlightenment.' Wrote An Encouragement of Learning.

Meiji Restoration

The 1868 political revolution in Japan that restored imperial rule under Emperor Meiji.

Sonno Joi

Japanese slogan meaning 'Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians,' popular in the 1850s-1860s.

Self-Strengthening Movement

A reform movement in Qing China (1860s-1890s) aimed at modernizing military, economy, and education.

Zongli Yamen

The Qing foreign affairs office established in 1861 after the Second Opium War.

Hong Xiuquan

Leader of the Taiping Rebellion (1814-1864) who claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ.

King Kojong

Ruler of Korea (r. 1863-1907), later proclaimed Emperor of the Korean Empire.

Tonghak

A Korean religious and social movement founded by Choe Je-u in the 1860s.

Treaty of Kanghwa

Signed in 1876 between Japan and Korea.

Sonno Joi Significance

Reflected nationalist and anti-foreign sentiment during the late Tokugawa period and inspired movements leading to the Meiji Restoration.

Self-Strengthening Movement Significance

Attempted to preserve Confucian values while adopting Western technology, but ultimately failed to prevent decline.

Zongli Yamen Significance

Represented China's first modern diplomatic institution to manage relations with Western powers.

Hong Xiuquan Significance

Led one of the deadliest uprisings in history against the Qing dynasty, seeking to establish the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

King Kojong Significance

Sought to modernize Korea and preserve independence amid foreign pressure, but his rule saw increasing Japanese dominance.

Tonghak Significance

Promoted equality and resistance against corruption and foreign influence, sparking the Tonghak Rebellion (1894).

Treaty of Kanghwa Significance

Marked Korea's opening to foreign trade under Japanese pressure and foreshadowed Japan's later colonization of Korea.

Self-Strengthening Movement Characteristics

Slogan: 'Chinese learning for essence, Western learning for utility.' Built arsenals, shipyards, and schools.

Zongli Yamen Characteristics

Handled treaties, trade, and foreign envoys. Staffed by reform-minded officials.

Hong Xiuquan Characteristics

Promoted equality and religious reform. Combined Christian and Chinese beliefs. Rebellion killed over 20 million people.

King Kojong Characteristics

Established modern schools and army. Declared the Korean Empire in 1897. Abdicated under Japanese influence in 1907.

Tonghak Characteristics

Blended Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Advocated for social justice and national unity. Later evolved into the Chondogyo religion.

Treaty of Kanghwa Characteristics

Granted Japan extraterritorial rights. Recognized Korea as an 'independent' state (undermining Qing influence). Opened three Korean ports to Japanese trade.