China at its Height

1
China at its Height
2
The Ming Dynasty

• The Ming dynasty was a time of greatness in
  Chinese history.
• The Chinese extended their rule into Mongolia and
  central Asia.

3
The Ming Dynasty

• The Ming rulers had an effective government using
  a bureaucracy.
• Also set up a nationwide school system.
• More manufactured goods were produced.
• New crops were introduced.

4
The Ming Dynasty

• Ming rulers also completed the Grand Canal.
• Made it possible to ship grain and other goods
  from southern to northern China.

5
The Ming Dynasty

• Emperor Yong Le began constructing the Imperial
  city of Beijing in 1406.
• He moved the capital there in 1421

6
The Ming Dynasty

• In 1514, a Portuguese fleet arrived off the coast
  of China.
• It was the first direct contact between the
  Chinese Empire and Europe for roughly 200 years

7
The Ming Dynasty

• an exchange of ideas and cultures took place
• Christian missionaries brought new inventions
• Ex clocks and eyeglasses

8
The Ming Dynasty

• During the late 16th century a series of weak
  rulers led to a period of government corruption
  in China
• A peasant revolt ultimately brought the Ming
  dynasty to an end.

9
The Qing Dynasty

• The Manchus, farming and hunting people who lived
  Northeast of the Great Wall (Manchuria) took
  power after the Ming
• Conquered Beijing and set up the Qing dynasty
• The dynasty remained in power until 1911

10
The Qing Dynasty

• At first the Chinese resisted the new rulers
• the Qing eventually adopted the Chinese political
  system and were gradually accepted as the
  legitimate rulers

11
The Qing Dynasty

• Under the Rule of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795),
  corrupt government and high taxes led to unrest
  in rural areas
• Population growth put pressure on the farming
  land
• Led to economic hardship for many peasants

12
The White Lotus Rebellion

• Unhappy peasants eventually revolted in the White
  Lotus Rebellion
• Greatly weakened the Qing dynasty

13
Contact With Europe

• At the same time, Europe was seeking more trade
  with China
• To limit European contact, the Qing confined all
  Europeans to a small island
• Also limited the number of Chinese firms that
  Europeans could trade with

14
Contact With Europe

• By the end of the eighteenth century, British
  traders began to demand access to additional
  cities along the Chinese coast.

15
Contact With Europe

• In 1793, a British mission led by Lord George
  McCartney visited Beijing to ask for more liberal
  trade policies.
• Emperor Qianlong replied that China had no need
  for British manufactured goods