Chinese Society & Culture

Economic Changes• 1500-1800 – China mostly agricultural society

– 1st change – increase in population– Meant – less land available– Shortage led to- unrest and revolts

• Growth in – manufacturing & increased trade btw provinces– Didn’t dev – commercial capitalism (private bus.

Based on profit)• b/c: trade & manuf – remained under control of gov’t

– many CH – looked down on trade & manuf – levied – heavy taxes on trade & manuf.

Chinese Family• Emphasis on – family relations

– Based on – Confucian ideals– CH family expected to – provide for its members needs

Incl 1. education of children2. support of unmarried daughters3. care of elderly

• Expected to – sacrifice their individual desires for the benefit of family

• Ideal family unit – in Qing China was the extended family• Clan – dozens or hundreds of related families• Families linked – clan councils or elders• Clan system – made it possible for wealthier families to

help poorer relatives

Role of Women

• Women considered – inferior to men– Only males – could have formal education– Wife – subordinate to the husband

• Couldn’t – divorce or inherit property

– Husbands expected – to provide support for wives and children

– Women restricted – movement• Bound feet – a status symbol

Footbinding

Notice how she has to have

support to walk.

Footbinding

Footbinding

Cultural Developments• The CH novel- developed during Ming Dynasty

– The Golden Lotus – 1st realistic social novel – Depicts – corrupt life of a wealthy landlord in Ming

China

• Ming & Qing Art – Architecture – Imperial City

• Began by – Emperor Yong Le• Complex of – palaces and temples• Surrounded – walls• Off limits – to commoners• So known as- Forbidden City

– Ming Era art – most famous is blue/white porcelain http://www.thebeijingguide.com/forbidden_city/forbidden_city_historical_tour.html

Rare Red - Ming Vase

• How much did this porcelain Ming vase

sell for ..??

• Over

$10 million!!!

sold May 2006