Qing and Ming Dynasties Flashcards

Later Ming Dynasty (c. 1500-1644)

• Global Contacts and Trade: Increased engagement in global trade.

• European Contact & Missionaries:

  • Jesuits attempted to convert people, but faced limited success due to attachment to Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

  • Ming emperors initially allowed Jesuits but later restricted their activities.

• Influx of Silver:

  • Europeans flooded China with silver in exchange for luxury goods like porcelain and silk.

  • This influx caused inflation and economic issues.

  • China became obsessed with silver, leading to its adoption as a universal currency.

• Single Whip Law:

  • Implemented under Emperor Wanli to mandate all tax payments in silver.

  • This law solidified silver's role as the primary currency.

• Overthrow: The Ming dynasty was overthrown in 1644.

Qing Dynasty (1644-1911/1912)

• Overthrow of Ming: The Qing dynasty replaced the Ming in 1644 and lasted until 1911 (or early 1912).

• Manchu Origins:

  • The Qing were Manchus from Manchuria and were often viewed as an illegitimate dynasty by the Han Chinese.

  • To gain legitimacy, they adopted traditional Chinese methods of rule.

• Traditional Methods of Rule:

  • Mandate of Heaven

  • Civil service exams

  • Confucianism/Neo-Confucianism

  • Strong centralization

  • Middle Kingdom concept

• Social Order:

  • Maintained the existing social order, with Manchus privileged.

  • Merchants remained at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

  • Practiced the tribute system.

• Expansion:

  • The Qing dynasty expanded to include most of present-day China and Mongolia.

  • They used gunpowder weapons for expansion.

• Tribute System:

  • They demanded the kowtow (bowing to the emperor).

  • Collected payments and resources from conquered regions.

• European Trade Restrictions:

  • The Qing dynasty worried about the balance of trade with Europe and attempted to restrict European trade through the Canton System.

  • Under Canton System, all trade was regulated and restricted to the port of Canton.

  • The Canton System was not complete self-isolation like Japan's policies.

• The Century of Humiliation: The 1800s marked a period of crises for China due to European influence.

  • Diplomatic Missions: European diplomatic missions sought to open more ports for trade, but were refused.

• Opium Trade:

  • Britain introduced opium to China to reverse the unfavorable balance of trade and get more goods.

  • Opium addiction became a major issue.

  • The Qing dynasty outlawed opium, but Britain continued to smuggle it in.

• Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1850s):

  • China lost both Opium Wars to Britain.

  • The Treaty of Nanjing (1842) granted Britain special privileges, including more open ports (treaty ports) and trade rights.

  • British citizens gained immunity from Chinese laws for minor offenses.

• Spheres of Influence:

  • Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Japan divided China into spheres of influence, establishing economic imperialism.

• Rebellions:

  • Taiping Rebellion (1860s): A bloody civil war (20-30 million deaths) led by Hong Xiuquan, who claimed to be the brother of Jesus, aimed to overthrow the Qing dynasty.

  • He was brutally executed, which weakened the Qing dynasty.

  • Boxer Rebellion (late 1890s): An attempt to resist the spheres of influence which the Qing dynasty eventually joined but was crushed by a coalition of European, American, and Japanese forces.

  • China was forced to pay billions of ounces of silver in reparations.

• Self-Strengthening Movement: A failed modernization effort by the Qing dynasty to industrialize and modernize.

• Comparison to Japan: Contrasted with Japan's successful Meiji Restoration.

• Overthrow: The Qing dynasty was overthrown in 1911, leading to.

• Civil War: Civil war between communists and nationalists.

• Mao Zedong: Mao Zedong took over, forming the People's Republic of China.

• The Great Leap Forward: The Great Leap Forward involved failed collectivization policies, resulting in a lot of deaths.

• Cultural Revolution: The Cultural Revolution didn't work either.

• Economic Reform: After a period of economic reform, politics are still very harsh.

• Nanjing/Nanking: Location of Treaty of Nanjing and the later Rape of Nanjing during World War II.