How did isolationist policies affect Ming to Qing China and Tokugawa Japan
socially, politically, and economically? What events in the past shape how a
country’s people are today?
Essential Question
China had a farming economyTrade reached the South China Sea
under the MingEarly Qing economy flourishedRewards were issued for land cultivationTaxes were reduced under the Qing
Economic Changes
Rice hybrids were createdTrade within China grewTrade = wealthy merchantsMoney was found as coins or paperBulky coins caused the creation of banks
Economic Changes
The Grand Canal connected Beijing to Southern China.
Misconception: Chinese government controlled trade
The government controlled salt trade.
Economic Changes
The Tokugawa and the Qingboth saw commercial increase from
merchants and peasant work to currency and banking. Qing tradingwas more lenient than Tokugawa.
Economic Changes
1636- Manchus establish Qing dynastyUse of Ming governmentSoldiers were assigned posts to maintain
orderQing gained lands as part of their empireMissionaries were accepted and hired
Political Changes
Didn’t solve the problems of common people
Influences on rule:Beijing captured by banditsWestern colonizationNatural disaster
Political Changes
of Qing ChinaSociety…
Hereditary status groups• Ranged from the descendants of
imperial line to “mean people”• Occupations were hereditary
• banner men• brewer men• dyers• doctors• navigators• Daoist priests passed their jobs down to
at least one son in generation.
of Qing ChinaSociety…
Second time the whole of China is ruled by foreigners—Manchu
Manchus maintained domination over Chinese by preserving their own identity• Home visits
• No inter-marriage• Restrict documents from
Chinese Change in dress code…• Men must shave hair and wear queues with
Manchu clothing• Women no longer bind feet
• Impossible to enforce, withdrawn in 1668
• However, Qing allowed growth and decoration of fingernails
of Qing ChinaSociety…
Social Mobility• it was possible for “a peasant boy to become the
first scholar in the land”• stressed education and hard work
• motivated households• upward mobility
Change in attitude• money becomes the indicator of status• Chinese elite join Qing state to propagate
traditional values and behavior • morality books tied virtuous behavior to concrete rewards• educational success• high office• sons
of Qing ChinaSociety…
Renaissance?• time of peace in the ascension of Qing Dynasty • allowed for revival of arts and learning• renaissance-like effect
• repaired public works• essays, novels, pamphlets, books,
scriptures• art • plays• “Story of the Stone”Family
• the foundation of roles that were essential in the Confican vision of a morally correct society
• basic unit of production and consumption in Chinese society• kin by blood, marriage, or adoption• patriarchal
• jia
Japan cut-off trade with EuropeDutch merchants confined to NagasakiTowns built near roadDaimyô travelled the roadsDaimyô had to visit residencies in Edo
Economic Changes
Most daimyô income went to townsDaimyô castle = major cityPeasants switched to commercial farmingWealth was measured in koku1 Koku = approximately 5 bushels of rice
Economic Changes
Money began circulatingRise of money = rise of merchantsTextiles and sake became popularBanks loaned to samurai and daimyôMerchants learned financial skills
Economic Changes
1603- beginning of Tokugawa ShogunateBalance between tozama, fudai, and
shimpan1635- successful system of domains
establishedUncommon class structureChristianity was banned
Political Changes
Failed fiscal reformInfluences on actions:
Fear of loss of powerSpread of Christianity in AsiaDaimyô and samurai face financial
hardship
Political Changes
End of Tokugawa Shogunate:Peasant uprisings and samurai unrestFinancial problemsAdvencement of western colonies
Political Changes
of Tokugawa JapanSociety…
Kabuki
SamuraiClass System
Shinto
Family
Do you believe it was wise for Japan to practice extreme isolationism? Why or why not?
How might Japan be different had these policies not existed?
Was China’s decision to accept missionaries a sign of little national identity or a political move.
Do you believe the Tokugawa Shogunate was a more effective government than the Qing Dynasty? Why or why not?
Discussion Questions
The Edicts of the Tokugawa Shogunate:
Excerpts from The Edict of 1635 Ordering the Closing of Japan:
Addressed to the Joint Bugyō of Nagasaki
1. Japanese ships are strictly forbidden to leave for foreign countries.
2. No Japanese is permitted to go abroad. If there is anyone who attempts to do so secretly,
he must be executed. The ship so involved must be impounded and its owner arrested, and the
matter must be reported to the higher authority.
3. If any Japanese returns from overseas after residing there, he must be put to death.
4. If there is any place where the teachings of padres (Christianity) is practiced, the two of
you must order a thorough investigation.
…
7. If there are any Southern Barbarians (Westerners) who propagate the teachings of
padres, or otherwise commit crimes, they may be incarcerated in the prison maintained by the
Ōmura domain, as was done previously.
…
10. Samurai are not permitted to purchase any goods originating from foreign ships directly
from Chinese merchants in Nagasaki.
…
Primary Source - Example of the Tokugawa’s measures for isolation
"Tokugawa period." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2010 <http://school.eb.com/eb/article-9072774>.
"Qing dynasty." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2010 <http://school.eb.com/eb/article-9082155>.
Tokugawa Shogunate. Tokugawa Shogunate. "the Edicts of the Tokugawa Shogunate: Excerpts from The Edict of 1635 Ordering the Closing of Japan: Addressed to the Joint Bugyō Of Nagasaki." The Edict of 1635 Ordering the Closing of Japan: Addressed to the Joint Bugyō Of Nagasaki. Edo: Japan: A Documentary History: The Dawn of History to the Late Tokugawa Period, 2001. Columbia University. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/tokugawa_edicts_foreigners.pdf>.
"Qing Dynasty 1644 - 1911." Antiques & Dynasties. Antiques & Dynasties Co, 2009. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://antiquesndynasties.com/qing_dynasty.htm>.
Adler, Philip J, and Randall L Pouwels. World Civilizations: Since 1500. N.p.: Clark Baxter , 2008. Google Book Search. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://books.google.com/ books?id=mPoqfoiIp4sC&pg=PA358&lpg=PA358&dq=qing+dynasty+economics&source=bl&ots= CZ-#v=onepage&q=qing%20dynasty%20economics&f=false>.
Zelin, Madeleine. "MING-QING ECONOMIC DYNAMISM AND FOREIGN TRADE." Grandeur of the Qing. Columbia U, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.learn.columbia.edu/nanxuntu/html/economy/>.
Gordon, Bill. "Tokugawa Period's Influence on Meiji Restoration." Home Page of Bill Gordon. Wesleyan U, 2000. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://wgordon.web.wesleyan.edu/papers/jhist1.htm>.
"The Sankin Kotai System and Its Effects on Tokugawa Japan." Short Essays on Tokugawa Japan before 1853. N.p., 2007. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <c. http://www.thecorner.org/hist/essays/japan/sankin-kotai.htm>.
Hooker, Richard. "Japan: Life in Tokugawa Japan." Tokugawa Japan (1603 - 1868). Washington State U, 1996. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ TOKJAPAN/SHOGUN.HTM>.
Ellington, Lucien. Japan: a Global Studies Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC CLIO, 2002. Print.
Bibliography