ming

The Impact of Ming China: 

The Impact of Ming China China’s Influence on World Events Before 1644

The Ming Impact: 

The Ming Impact Ming Civilization provided: Model of organized government Sense that government should benefit the larger population, not just the rulers Maritime technology Trade innovations & proto-industrial organization Market for European New-world Silver Financed much exploration & colonization

China’s Advanced Civilization: 

China’s Advanced Civilization Jonathan Spence, in the first chapter of his book In Search of Modern China makes the point exceptionally well: “ Rulers in Europe, India, Japan, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire were all struggling to develop systematic bureaucracies that would expand their tax base and manage their swelling territories effectively, as well as draw to new royal power cetners the resources of agriculture and trade. But China’s massive bureaucracy was already firmly in place4, harmonized by a millenium of tradition and bonded by an immense body of statutory laws and provisions that, in theory at least, could offer pertinent advice on any problem that might arise in the daily life of China’s people.” So, where we have been looking to find out what caused the industrial revolution in England specifically, and Europe in general, one of the things we have been noticing is a trend toward morecentralized andefficient government that took fair taxes, and supported the economy of its subjects with a clear recognition that their enterprizewas good for the national economy, which increased the tax base, which was good for thre ruler, as well. But, as Spence notes, China already had that, and that means we have to take into account 2300 extra years of history, because the question must then be, why didn’t China industrialize? The answer comes, at least in part, in understanding the Ming Dynasty, which ruled China from 1368 to 1644.

The Mongol Empires: 

The Mongol Empires

The Yuan Dynasty: Mongol Power: 

The Yuan Dynasty: Mongol Power Kubilai Khan dies 1294 Various popular rebellions against the Yuan (Mongol) dynasty Ming Hung-wu leads one Controls China by 1368

The Ming Legacy: 

The Ming Legacy Ming Hung-wu (Chou Yuan-chang) Buddhist monk Rebuilds economy Reactive Regime Agrarian base Insular Anti-foreign Stable (inflexible) Well organized Confucian

Ming Government Organization: 

Ming Government Organization

Ming Ruling Principles: 

Ming Ruling Principles Traditional Confucianism Ruler as example of proper behavior Behavior Prevent Corruption Ritual provides social cohesion Place for all Government is meritocracy Mandate of Heaven Dynastic Cycle

Maritime Technology: 

Maritime Technology 7 Great Voyages of Zheng-He 1405 - 1433 62 Large Ships 200+ billet ships watertight doors compass/sextant fruit trees For tribute

Zheng-he’s Voyages: 

Zheng-he’s Voyages

Commercial Revolution: 

Commercial Revolution Growing population Government unwilling to learn business Low tax on business Growth in domestic and international trade early 16th century on Financial Innovations banks, checks, credit, merchant associations

Proto-Industrial Organization: 

Proto-Industrial Organization

Cultural Revolution: 

Cultural Revolution Priniting & Literacy Cheap, popular books woodblock printing cheap paper Examination System Leads to explosion in literacy Leads to further popularization of market Culture & Art Increased literacy leads to increased interest in cultural expressions, ideas, and things. Opera Literature Painting Ceramics

Silver Market: 

Silver Market Spanish Silver Convoys Triangle route: Philippines to China to Japan Silver floods Chinese Market Causes devaluation of currency & recession adds to reasons for Chinese immigration overseas reduces price of Chinese goods in Europe increases interest in Chinese culture & ideas in Europe Helps fund conquest of New World Encourages Europeans in conquest & trade

The Ming Impact: 

The Ming Impact Ming Civilization provided: Model of organized government Sense that government should benefit the larger population, not just the rulers Maritime technology Trade innovations & proto-industrial organization Market for European New-world Silver Financed much exploration & colonization