Ming Dynasty (dec 23, 1368 – dec 23, 1644)

Description:

Ming Dynasty: dominant power in Asia
- vassal states (from Korea to Southeast Asia) paid regular tribute to Ming overlords
- China expected Europeans to do the same
- Ming rulers wanted to keep peace/prosperity (they had previously driven out Mongol rulers in order to become a dynasty

Relations with Foreign Countries

3 ports were "open" to foreign country trade: Canton, Ningbo, & Macao

Trade:
- only the government was supposed to conduct foreign trade
- trade flourished up & down the coast through smuggling (silk, porcelain, etc. out of China to European merchants)
- Europeans paid in silver
- industries in China grew because of trade (ex. silk-making, ceramics industries)
- increase in manufacturing and commerce

China still did not become high industrialized:
- commerce went against Confucianism (merchants were "robbers"
- Chinese economic policies favored agriculture (lowered agriculture taxes & increased manufacturing/trade taxes)

Christian missionaries from Europe brought Christianity & knowledge (European science & tech):
- ex. Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci was liked but still opposed because he was European & Christian

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