East Asia: Ming-Qing China and Tokugawa Japan (up to 1750)

These flashcards cover key concepts related to Ming-Qing China and Tokugawa Japan, focusing on their political structures, cultural developments, and historical contexts.

What were the years of the Ming dynasty?

1368 - 1644

Who founded the Ming dynasty?

The leader of peasant rebels.

What dynasty followed the Ming dynasty?

Qing dynasty.

What was the time period of the Qing dynasty?

1644 - 1912.

Which group conquered China during the Qing dynasty?

The Manchus.

What two major dangers did Chinese rulers face according to the notes?

Peasant rebellions and nomadic threats from the frontier.

How did the Qing dynasty rule China in comparison to the Ming dynasty?

In a similar way, while also closing China’s nomadic frontier.

What method was used to recruit officials in the Ming and Qing dynasties?

The Civil Service Examinations.

What was the population of China by the end of the Ming dynasty?

About 150 million.

How many people were in China by 1800?

Approximately 300 million.

What was the ratio of officials to population in the Ming and Qing dynasties?

1 official per 100,000 people.

What were local elites in China often involved in?

Wealthy landownership and trade.

What status did passing the lowest level of the Civil Service Examinations grant?

Tax exemption and recognition as a locally important man.

What cultural outlook did both officials and local elites share?

A similar Confucian outlook.

How did Europe differ from China in terms of social hierarchy?

European states were dominated by hereditary nobility, while China had no hereditary positions aside from the emperor.

What were Janissaries in Ottoman society?

Soldiers disconnected from local society.

What were common art forms in Ming-Qing China?

Book illustrations and scroll paintings.

What numerical trend was observed in China's population during the stated period?

Population doubled every century-and-a-half.

What was a consequence of increasing competition in the Civil Service Examinations?

Local elites faced more intense competition due to limited graduate numbers.

What trap did the meritocracy system of recruitment face?

Wealthy individuals monopolized positions of power due to better preparation for exams.

What did samurai receive in lieu of land ownership under Tokugawa rule?

A stipend as salaried employees of their daimyo.

How did Tokugawa shoguns limit the power of daimyos?

By forbidding them to construct fortifications and requiring alternate attendance in Edo.

What was the taxation situation for peasants under Tokugawa rule?

Peasants were taxed heavily, more than three times as high as in Qing China.

What was Japan's political state around 1500?

Japan was politically fragmented among numerous daimyos.

Who were the influential warlords of the 16th century in Japan?

Oda Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

What position did Tokugawa Ieyasu attain as a result of his conquests?

Shogun, or overall military commander.

When did the Tokugawa shogunate last?

1600 - 1868.

How did the Tokugawa create Japan's first centralized state?

By enforcing two centuries of domestic peace.

What remained of the emperor's role during Tokugawa shogunate?

A symbolic and priestly figure.

What characterized the samurai's social position during the Tokugawa era?

They transitioned from warriors to petty administrators.

What two contrasting paths did Ming-Qing China and Tokugawa Japan take in terms of governance?

China relied on local elites and light taxation; Japan developed a strong centralized state and heavy taxation.

What were the consequences of these differing paths by the 19th century?

Japan industrialized rapidly; Qing China faced domestic rebellions and foreign threats.

What crops impacted population growth in China?

New World crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn.

What influenced the development of Joseon Korea?

It was influenced by China, while also possessing distinct characteristics.

What did the Civil Service Examinations serve as in China?

A connecting issue between central government and local society.

What role did local elites play in maintaining balance in Chinese governance?

They cooperated with the emperor's officials and played essential roles in administration.

What were the cultural contributions of Tokugawa cities?

Emergence of a commercial culture illustrated in inexpensive prints.

By the early 1600s, what happened to the balance between center and local governance in China?

It fell apart, contributing to rebellions.

Why did the samurai organization lose its purpose during Tokugawa Japan?

Due to enforced peace reducing the need for warfare.

What was the role of the emperor in Japanese society during the Tokugawa period?

He remained as a symbolic figure.