Essential Questions: Why did the Chinese show little interest in overseas trade during the Ming Dynasty? What changes occurred in the Chinese economy under Qing rule?
I. Ming foreign Policy
A. Attitudes toward trade
1. After defeating the Mongols in 1368, the Ming emperors tried to rid China of all Mongol influences
2. Once in power, the Ming emperors restored Confucianism as the official philosophy
3. They also wanted China to be self-sufficient
a. They refused to trade with foreign countries
-According to the emperors, trade did not bring in enough revenue
B. The Northern Frontier
1. The Ming emperors made sure they would never be invaded from the north again
a. They strengthened the Great Wall
b. They encouraged soldiers to move north with their families
-Offered them free land
c. Nomadic tribes in the North were given gifts and titles if they gave in to the Ming
d. Defending the northern frontier was expensive
-They chose frontier defense over trade and sea travel
II. Founding the Qing Dynasty
A. In Manchuria, a chief named Nurhachi unified many tribes into a single people, the Manchu
1. In 1644, the Manchu captured Beijing and formed the Qing Dynasty
a. The Qing Dynasty lasted until 1912
2. The Qing rulers, even though they weren�t Chinese, adopted the Chinese culture
III. Economy, Culture, and Society
A. Economy
1. China�s economy continued to grow during the Qing Dynasty
a. Manufacturing grew
-Weaving of cotton cloth
b. The Chinese also sent tea and silk by caravan to Central Asia and Russia
-Some ships even traded with South East Asia and India despite government disapproval
B. Popular Culture and Society
1. People read novels and plays in common everyday language
2.The writings of this period portrayed Chinese society and family life
a. Chinese society continued to be based on the family
IV. Decline of the Qing Dynasty
A. In 1796, discontent over high taxes nad growing government inefficiency led
to a peasant revolt also known as the White Lotus Rebellion
1. Although order was restored, the Qing Dynasty was seriously weakened