China

and
Japan
SSWH11 Students will investigate political and social changes in Japan and in
China from the seventeenth century CE to mid-nineteenth century CE.
a. Describe the policies of the Tokugawa and Qing rulers; include Oda Nobunaga and Kangxi.
b. Analyze the impact of population growth and its impact on the social structure.

Important Dates to Know

Ming China 1368-1644
The Manchus and Qing China 16441800
The Tokugawa Shogunate 1600 1800

Qing Dynasty
Founded by the Manchus, a non Chinese
people
In the Ming period the Manchus had lived
in communities in Manchuria (modern
day northeastern China)
Hunters, farmers, and fishermen
Banners- Units of the Qing army,
composed of soldiers, their families, and
slaves

Kangxi
Reigned from 1661-1722; perhaps the
greatest ruler in Chinese history
Could speak, read, and write Chinese
Firmly believed the Manchus had a
legitimate claim to the Mandate of
Heaven
Toured areas where Ming support had
been the highest; gave an exam to
compile the official history of the Ming
Dynasty

Policies of the Qing Rulers

Tried to maintain their cultural
distinctness
Brought Chinese into the imperial
administration
Ordered all men to adopt Manchu dress
& hairstyles
Restored peace & prosperity
Under Kangxi, the efforts of Christian
missionaries reached its height

Economic Changes
Between 1500 & 1800 China remained
mostly agricultural
85% of the people were small farmers
Major Increase in population due to long
period of peace & stability, improvements
in food supply, and faster growing
species of rice increased the food supply
Increased population meant less land for
each family

Continued Economic
Changes
Steady growth in manufacturing and
increased trade between provinces
Under Qing confined European traders to
a small island outside Guangzhou
In 1793, the emperor wrote to King
George III that China had no need of
your countrys manufactures the
Chinese would later pay for their
rejection of the British

Class work
Page 494 (4-7)

Tokugawa Japan
At the end of the 15th century, Japan was
in chaos.
Daimyo, heads of noble families
controlled lands and warred with their
neighbors
Process of unification began in the late
16th century with three powerful political
figures

3 Powerful Leaders
1. Oda Nobunaga began process of
unification; Seized the capital of Kyoto
2. Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Located his capital at Osaka
3. Tokugawa Ieyasu
The daimyo of Edo (modern Tokyo) took
control of Japan and took the title of
shogun in 1603

Tokugawa Rule
Set out to establish control of the feudal
system
Long period of peace- known as the
Great Peace was brought about by
Tokugawa rule
The samurai who had served the daimyo
ceased to be a warrior class

Economic Changes
Under the Tokugawa, trade & industry
began to flourish as never before
A Japanese merchant class emerged
Many peasants were forced to become
tenants or work as hired help

Social Changes
Class system became rigid
Intermarriage between classes was
forbidden
Role of women became more restricted
Parents arranged marriages
Women who did not meet the
expectations of her husband or his family
would be divorced