Ming And Qing Dynasty Essay

Tradition was a disputed subject between different dynasties. As the ruler of China from thirteenth to fourteenth century, the Mongols refused to establish Chinese political and cultural traditions in society because it was not necessary. However, the Ming emperor argued that promoting traditions benefits China. Similarly, the Qing emperor agreed with his point of view. For centuries, the restoration of civil service examinations led the Ming and Qing dynasties to often practiced Confucianism and gender relations because respecting Chinese traditions is the best way to maintain stability in China.

Adopting traditional ways in China has strengthened the Ming and Qing dynasties. According to Bentley et al. “Day-to-day governance of the empire

fell to scholar-bureaucrats appointed by the emperor… These men had earned academic degrees by passing rigorous civil service examinations, and they dominated China’s political and social life” (457). In China, children from ages eleven to twelve years old prepare themselves for taking the civil service examination by practicing and memorizing thousands of Chinese characters pertaining to Confucianism. Also, students must be knowledgeable about calligraphy, poetry, and essay composition before taking the examination because it is one of the requirements each student should have. In early modern times, scholar-bureaucrats are essential individuals because they are responsible for assisting the emperor in his decisions to create stability for all citizens of China. Many believed that “Confucianism would be at the heart of Chinese education and that Confucians would govern the state” (457) and this was proven to be true. From the very beginning, Chinese families have taught Confucianism to their children and this has continued to be passed down from generation to generation. The Confucian principles states that not only “duties of children toward their fathers [should be fulfilled], but also loyalty of subjects toward the emperor” (457). These actions determines how a stable society was achieved successfully. Confucianism has encouraged people to reach society’s expectations, regardless.
2. Although both the Chinese and Japanese states sought to minimize cultural contacts with outsiders from overseas, encounters with the wider world nevertheless affected each state in important ways. Describe the ways encounters with foreign traders and missionaries shaped the internal development of China and Japan in economic, social, and cultural terms.
Throughout the years, China’s sphere of influence definitely has a positive effect on foreign countries. Just like the Ming and Qing emperors, Japan was determined to establish stability. Encounters with foreign traders has affected China and Japan economically, socially and culturally. While the teachings of neo-Confucianism inspired both the Chinese and Japanese, agricultural production and the development of a class system increased prosperity in China and Japan.
The production of agricultural crops has increased tremendous wealth for China and Japan which caused a strong economy. While the Chinese produced rice, wheat, and millet, the Japanese produced rice, cotton, silk, and indigo. Both countries were able to make huge profits from these resources. According to Bentley et al. “As [Chinese] peasants approached the upper limits of agricultural productivity, Spanish merchants coming by way of the Philippines introduced American food crops to China… The introduction of new crops increased the food supply and supported further population growth” (459). China was capable of earning more money by promoting their resources to other foreign countries. On the other hand, the Japanese has moved to working in the market to earn benefits for themselves which caused the economy to grow slowly.
Class systems also played a major role in achieving wealth in China and Japan.

According to Bentley et al. “scholar-bureaucrats and gentry received favorable legal treatment and enjoyed immunity from corporal punishment as well as exemption from labor service and taxes” (460). This clearly shows that society expects peasants to be the wealthiest that helps stabilize Japan instead of the working class. However, this may not be the case. Though scholar-bureaucrats have a lot of benefits economically and politically from the government, they are no match for merchants. In the social class merchants are considered the poorest, but studies show that they are “individuals of enormous wealth and influenced [despite the fact that they are] ranked at the bottom of the Confucian social hierarchy” (461). These people has shown their ability to be equivalent to the privileged classes. In Japan, the ruling elites: daimyo and samurai warriors were recognized as the most privileged people in society, whereas rice dealers, pawnbrokers and sake merchants were listed as the least privileged. Despite the fact that the upper classes has a lot of advantages, they spent money recklessly which caused them to have financial problems and ultimately resulted in poverty. However, the Tokugawa era was able to bring Japan back to

stability.
Confucianism was one of the biggest reasons why China and Japan reached stability. According to Bentley et al. “Zhu Xi, [a scholar] combined the moral, ethical, and political values of Confucius with the logical rigor and speculative power of Buddhist philosophy… To promote Confucian values, the Ming and Qing emperors supported educational programs at many levels throughout the land” (462). The teachings of Confucian principles to students and families has made people of China who they are today. On the other hand, Japan had similar goals with China. The Japanese supported Confucianism because it “was the most influential philosophical system” (466). It was evidently proven that Japan maintain stability using the Confucian principles.