Ming and
Qing
Dynasties
in China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
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Last native imperial dynasty
Rose out of rebellion against the Mongols
Some achievements:
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Naval expeditions began in 1405-1433
(Zheng He)
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New capital at Nanjing
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Ming porcelain
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Literature + philosophy flourished
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Forbidden City (commissioned by Yongle)
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Agricultural Revolution
 Crop rotation
 Irrigation pumps
 Nanjing was reforested with 50 million
trees
Zheng He’s Expeditions
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This Chinese
woodblock print,
probably from the
early 17th century,
depicts ships of Zheng
He's expeditions. His
voyages
demonstrated both the
advanced
development of
Chinese shipbuilding
and navigation
techniques and the
general exuberance of
the early Ming period.
This era of exploration
and expansionism
slowed considerably
with the death of the
Yongle emperor in
1424.
The Forbidden City
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The Forbidden
City in Beijing,
China is the
largest palace
complex in the
world. It covers
183 acres and
comprises 9,999
buildings.
Commercial Revolution
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Urbanization
Extensive trade with Europe but
restricted the Europeans to coastal
cities
Traded actively with the
Portuguese, the Dutch, and the
Japanese, who traded silver for
Chinese silks and porcelain
Collapsed due to…
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Corruption in government and unrest
among the larger population, invasion
of the dynamic Manchus from the north
Qing (1644-1911) Policies
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Manchus were 2% of the overall population
Qing rulers sought both to maintain their ethnic
distinctiveness

Manchus were to cultivate horseback riding and
archery skills and were discouraged to intermarry—
while at the same time cultivating the image of a
model Confucian monarch

Jurchen, Mongols, Koreans, and Han Chinese—who
joined the Manchu forces early all came to be known
as "Manchu" and were accorded special
privileges/obligations in the Qing Empire.
 Separate residential quarters in major cities
 Privileged access to official positions.
Qing Architecture

First Manchu imperial
palace in Shenyang,
Liaoning Province, China.
Begun in 1624, 20 years
before the Manchus
captured Beijing and
established the Qing
Dynasty (1644–1911), this
remained a second
"Forbidden City" and
secondary imperial palace
even into the 20th century.
Qing Dynasty (Manchus)
(1644-1911)
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Conflict with Europe:
“Ocean Devils”
17th-18th centuries
1793: English refused to
perform rituals of
obeisance to the
emperor

Relations continued
to deteriorate
Both sides think they
were economically and
culturally superior
Eventually: Opium Wars
(which China lost) and
the Treaty of Nanjing
(British got Hong Kong
plus trading rights)
Tokugawa Japan (1603-1836)
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Longest period of uninterrupted
peace Japan ever enjoyed
Hierarchical life
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1. Samurai = warrior class
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Shogun (military dictator of Japan)=
head of samurais
2. Farmers: Provided food but
could not leave the land
3. Artisans: made goods or
offered services used by the
people in daily life activities
4. Merchants: Traded in goods
and money
Resources
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http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/TOKJAPAN/TOKJAPAN.HTM
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"Manchus." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Ming dynasty." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Ming dynasty." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 28
Feb. 2011.
"Ming and Qing (Visual)." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 28
Feb. 2011.
"Ming dynasty porcelain bottle." Image. World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO,
2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Yongle." Image. Instructional Resources Corporation. World History: Ancient and
Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Zheng He's fleet." Image. Instructional Resources Corporation. World History: Ancient
and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Zheng He." Image. Instructional Resources Corporation. World History: Ancient and
Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.