Trade and Economic Expansion in the Ming Dynasty: Franklin Barmack
An Overview
The Ming dynasty in China, founded by Zhu Yuanzhang in 1368, saw a weakening of the imperial rule, and more merchants traveled around promoting trade. Agriculture was also very dominant during the time, with new farming technologies and techniques. Also, merchants were able to trade new materials, and began to exchange them with Europe, which made the Ming dynasty very rich. One of the main reasons the Ming Dynasty’s economy was so strong was because agriculture and trade took a big step forward.
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A Step Forward for Merchants and Trade
Trade in the Ming Dynasty also accelerated massively. It soon became the richest Chinese dynasty so far, for a few reasons. When the Ming came to power, the feudal society began to decline. In its wake, the beginnings of capitalism originated. The development of handicraft promoted market economy and urbanization. There were more merchants, and different materials began to be traded, such as silk, alcohol, porcelain, tobacco, vegetables and fruits. As a whole, commerce and investment thrived in the Ming dynasty because of their liberalized economy. They built bridges and canals to boost transportation, thus trade with faraway countries became possible, and trade reached as far as Japan and Europe. This opened up even more doors for economic development. Overseas trade also allowed the Ming to trade with other places, and it gave merchants an opportunity to promote trade even further. A 17th century woodblock painting depicts what Zheng He’s (one of the most famous overseas voyager) ships were thought to look like, sailing across the Indian Ocean to trade with Japan and Europe (see right.) For all of these reasons, the Ming Dynasty advanced very far with new forms of trade and massive economic expansion. |
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Ultimately, it was the development of farming in the Ming Dynasty that facilitated the restoration of Chinese rule. The market economy enabled farmers to prepare larger areas of land, which led to the production of cash crops, which in turn strengthened the dynasty even more. Farmers produced more, and merchants traded more, in different places. The Ming built canals and thus were able to extend trade as far as Europe and Japan. Cash crops and overseas trade brought money and power to the country, displaying early capitalism and making this time one of the golden ages of China. It was these advancements that perfectly demonstrate the success and brilliance of the Ming dynasty.
Bibliography:
Brown, Derek. Chinese Farmer Walking Along Side Rice Terraces Zhongliu Village Longsheng China. Photograph. World Of Stock. Accessed November 23, 2014. http://www.worldofstock.com/stock-photos/chinese-farmer-walking-along-side-rice-terraces/TAI1410.
Buckley, Patricia, ed. Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook. 2nd ed. New York, NY: The Free Press, 1993.
Locals harvesting along the rice terraces. Photograph. Wada Hostel. Accessed November 23, 2014. http://www.wadahostel.com/en/tours/.
“The Chinese Ming Dynasty Economy & Economic Structures.” Totally History Ming Dynasty Economy Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2014. <http://totallyhistory.com/ming-dynasty-economy/>.
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Zheng He’s Ships. Illustration. Asia Society. Accessed November 19, 2014. http://www.asiasociety.org/countries/trade-exchange/chinese-trade-indian-ocean.
“Ming Dynasty in China History: Economy, Culture, Science.” Ming Dynasty in China Hustory: <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/ming.htm>
Buckley, Patricia, ed. Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook. 2nd ed. New York, NY: The Free Press, 1993.
Locals harvesting along the rice terraces. Photograph. Wada Hostel. Accessed November 23, 2014. http://www.wadahostel.com/en/tours/.
“The Chinese Ming Dynasty Economy & Economic Structures.” Totally History Ming Dynasty Economy Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2014. <http://totallyhistory.com/ming-dynasty-economy/>.
.
Zheng He’s Ships. Illustration. Asia Society. Accessed November 19, 2014. http://www.asiasociety.org/countries/trade-exchange/chinese-trade-indian-ocean.
“Ming Dynasty in China History: Economy, Culture, Science.” Ming Dynasty in China Hustory: <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/ming.htm>