CHAPTER 17: Asia in Transition

The Ming and Qing Dynasties

A. The Early Ming

1. Mongol regime overthrown, following wave of inflation and bureaucratic chaos

2. Hung-wu aided by Empress Ma restored imperial authority, built efficient regime

a. lijia and juntun

b. Neige Daxueshi (Grand Secretaries) and the Censorate

3. Yung-lo, son, continued to strengthen China

a. Naval expeditions under Cheng Ho or Zheng He to Indian Ocean, East Africa, SE Asia

B. Ming Society and Culture in the Sixteenth Century

1. Official status of women declined under Ming

a. Women stayed inside house, widow not to re-marry, continued to live with husband’s family

2. Wang Yang-ming countered Neo-Confucianism

C. Ming Decline

1. Steadily weakened after mid-15th century

a. Emperor, courtiers ignored changes, tried to restrict foreign contact

b. Decadence, eunuchs controlled state apparatus, played off clans

c. Scholar-bureaucrats lost influence

2. Population growth overwhelmed resources, doubled from 75 million to 150 million (1400-1600)

3. Urban unrest, inflation, corruption grew; technical progress lagged

D) Qing Dynasty

1. founded by Manchus, but adopted Chinese government and culture

2. scholars studied philology, history of literature and language

3. White Lotus Rebellion signaled decline for Qing, several revolts followed

China and Europeans

A. The Portuguese

1. influential not only in trade but in religion as well

2. strong Christian influence until Qing Dynasty

B. The British

1. trade was restricted by Chinese government until the late 1700s

a. free trade philosophy led to downfall of British East India Company

b. opium replaced cotton to pay for tea

2. Opium War broke out and ended in British victory

3. China forced to signed unfavorable treaties with other countries

C. Rebellions

1. Taiping Rebellion

a. Christian revolt led to millions of people being killed

b. 2 decades of fighting weakened Qing authority

c. foreign powers continued to influence govenment and economy

The Tokugawa Shoguns in Japan

A. Warring States

1. In 15th century imperial government lost almost all power to great feudal lords, daimyo

2. Civil war period brought political instability, economic growth, social change

B. The Tokugawa Shogunate

1. Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated daimyo, 1560-1598

a. Removed Ashikaga shoguns, put down Buddhist military orders

2. Hideyoshi began to consolidate power

a. Disarmed people, reduced power/independence of feudal lords

3. Tokugawa Ieyasu prevailed in civil war, began Tokugawa shogunate in 1615

4. Tokugawa Shogunate, ruled Japan for over 250 years

a. Emperor remained nominal head of government

b. Shogun held real power, commanded unified forces, in case of invasion

C. Economic and Social Changes: The Western Factor

1. Economy strengthened

a. Japan’s major imports: silk yarn, cloth; Japan’s major exports: silver, copper

2. Population rose 32% in 17th century (22 to 29 million)

a. Greatest growth in cities (Osaka, Kyoto, Edo)

b. Rising merchant class gained power, wealth

3. Women were expected to exhibit neo-Confucian ideals: gentle obedience, chastity, mercy, quietness

4. Ieyasu disenchanted with foreign trade, ended tolerance of Christians: thousands martyred

D. Cultural Expressions

1. Zen Buddhism spread

a. Influence seen in flower arranging, landscape gardening, tea ceremony, haiku

2. Noh drama combined mimetic dancing, music, song