session 12 readings (5/8)

[Anonymous]

The modern day “Silk Road” is the connection between our modern cities and will be a breakthrough in trade and exports. Having a more efficient way to export goods will help our societies not only economically but also socially in hopes to make better dealings and a stronger relationship with China’s government. Moving the exports away from just the U.S will help interconnect the different countries and will provide economic growth. It is paving a new path in our society today and how we grew and will continue to grow in the following years to come.
edited by jmartinez on 6/23/2017

[Anonymous]

After reading the letter from Emperor Qianlong to King George III, I had to take some time to process. I had some difficulty deciphering the tone of the letter. In the beginning it feels like Emperor Qianlong is being diplomatic, stating why an English citizen cannot stay and be a part of the Emperor's court. He talks about how it was nice of the king to send gifts, but that he does not care about gifts. He says that his goal is "to maintain a perfect governance and to fulfil the duties of the State", basically showing that he cannot be bought or bribed. He sends gifts back to the king in what I assume is him trying to maintain a good relationship. However, the second half feels very different from the first. The Emperor continually refers to the merchants as barbarians, and then latter in what I interpreted as the population of England. He mentions that a request that missionaries be permitted to come to China and states "The distinction between Chinese and barbarian is most strict, and your Ambassador's request that barbarians shall be given full liberty to disseminate their religion is utterly unreasonable." That definitely feels like he is calling the English barbarians to me. After addressing several issues and telling George how things are going to be he ends with "Do not say that you were not warned in due time! Tremblingly obey and show no negligence!". This letter makes me want to learn more about what unfolded afterward between England and China.

[clay dube]

Our final session will be looking at late imperial China. This is a period where China is the dominant power in the world. But trouble is on the horizon. We'll explore the sources of success and comparative weakness. We'll note that during this 1,000 year sweep, the area we call China was ruled by "outsiders" for long stretches of time. Mongols ruled 1279-1368 and Manchus ruled 1644-1912. The area ruled varied in size and the methods did as well. We'll discuss this in class. Below are some primary sources you should read in advance of our session. PLEASE print out the 4th, 5th, and 9th documents and bring them with you to class.

1. Ebrey-ming-hongwu-emperor-proclamations ---- the rebel who defeated the Mongols and established the Ming dynasty offers
What problems is the Emperor trying to address? How does he try to do to ensure his will is carried out?

2. Ebrey-commercial-activities ----- today you'd download model contracts from the net, these reflect the kinds of arrangements buyers and sellers worked out
What kinds of activities do these documents address? What promises did each side make? What problems did the contracts seek to anticipate?
What kind of society does Zhang Han describe? What business did Zhu Jiefu pursue? What troubles did he encounter?

3. Ebrey-ming-tenants -----
What kind of promises did tenants make? What were their duties beyond paying rent?

4. Li Zicheng-map-broadsheet ----- a rebel effort to win over residents in a target prefecture
What arguments are offered to convince residents to accept the rebels as rulers? Can you find examples of "strategic" language/examples?

5. Manchu-submission-hair ---- imposed by the new Qing rulers
What did the Manchus, the new rulers of the area we call China, impose on their subjects? Why?

6. Ebrey-qing-genealogy-rules ---- guidelines for maintaining the history of the clan
What aspects of Chinese society are revealed in these guidelines about how the list of family members is to be kept? When are women included? Excluded? How is the status of an individual reflected in the language used?

7. Ebrey-qing-lan-dingyuan-casebook ---- stories from a local magistrate
How did Magistrate Lan investigate the case Chen Agong brought to you? What was he asked to do? What did the magistrate order?
Today, the government of China argues that Falungong is an evil sect and has banned it. There is another contemporary sect, Eastern Lightning, that the government is seeking to eradicate and worries Christian groups. What does Lan do to "expose" the sect?

8. Ebrey-proverbs-about-heaven ---
What do these sayings suggest about the values of those who helped to perpetuate them? What attitudes about heaven, life, and relationships are revealed in them?

9. Qing-qianlong-king-george ---- letter from the Emperor of China to the King of Great Britain
What does the Qing Emperor tell the British monarch? What is Emperor's perception of Britain and its peoples? What does the Emperor say regarding various requests that King George's representative, Lord Macartney, made?
edited by Clay Dube on 5/5/2017

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[Anonymous]

"Should your vessels touch the shore, your merchants will assured never be permitted to land or to reside there, but will be subject to instant expulsion. In that event your barbarian merchants will had a long journey for nothing. Do not say that you were not warned in due time!" While reading this source along with The Yangzhou Massacre, I reflected on what good resources to use with honors or AP students in regards to multiple perspectives in social studies. I also compare them to the East India Company and the Sepoy Mutiny. For instance was the British influences after taking over from the East India Company all negative and greedy or their rule and technology (trains) brought some stability?

[Author]

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