Imperial China 1600 to 1900 - Research Paper Example

The Imperial Chinese era from 1600-1900 played a critical role in development of the country’s political, economic and social system. This period marked the beginning of the Qing dynasty that ruled the country from 1644 to 1911. The Qing dynasty was the last monarchy to rule the country when it ended in 1911. During the period, the country underwent drastic changes that are recorded in historical texts, artefacts such as paintings, ceramics, coins, buildings and other forms of historical art collected and written during the period (Susan 27)Prior to the foundation of the Qing dynasty, China was under the rule of the Ming dynasty that ruled the country from AD 1368-1644(Susan 39).

Therefore the imperial China from 1600-1900 is defined by about 44 years under the Ming dynasty and the rest under the Qing dynasty. The period from 1600 to 1644 marked the downfall of the Ming dynasty, which had earlier established a strong internal governance system in the country. Threats from external imperialists who partitioned and reduced the Chinese territory and devastating earthquake strained the Ming dynasty greatly and it eventually succumbed to the Qing dynasty. According to Johan, one of the most enduring remnant of the Ming dynasty is the China’s Great Wall that was strategically build to protect the country from foreign invaders(73).

On ascending to power, the Qing dynasty made drastic changes in the social and political system of the country. Initially it concentrated on reviving the social economy and this required changes on previous structures that had been entrenched by the Ming dynasty. The reforms strengthened the central governance and the imperial rulings (Elman and Woodside 63). Johan notes that by the mid of 18 century China had achieved remarkable economic and scientific developments credited to prudent economic and political administration by the Qing rulers (104).

China experienced a long period of peace and stability after the Qing dynasty ascended to power. This enabled expansion of Chinese society in virtually all realms. For instance, the population grew tremendously and other economic sectors developed (Susan 86). In addition, China opened its borders to international trade becoming a trading partner of several European countries, including Great Britain. China was an important source of silk, tea and porcelain (Susan 99). During Qing dynasty, the influence of Chinese art spread in the western countries and other trading partners.

Moreover, China expanded its territory courtesy of a strong military developed by the Qing dynasty. However, the success of the Qing dynasty did not continued up to the early 19 century. In the following period, social problems and conflicting leadership started undermining the previous achievements. China’s leadership was riddled with corruption and social problems such as addiction to opium caused heavy economic and social damage. Consequently, numerous rebellions broke out weakening the dynasty.

The dynasty became largely unpopular with the Chinese and it eventually crumbled in 1911 (Elman and Woodside 118) The era from 1600 to 1900 highlights an important political, economic and social period in the Chinese history. Politically this period marked the beginning and the end of the last feudal monarchy in China. China became one of the most influential countries in the world, economically and politically, due to high population and rich traditions. Religions such as Daoism Confucianism and Buddhism imparted a significant influence on the Chinese society and introduction of Christianity during the later period of the Qing dynasty was equally influential.

Writings, paintings, architectural buildings and other forms of art collected during this period offer important source of information. Historians have made valuable findings pertaining to the Chinese culture from artefacts collected during this period. Works CitedElman, B., and Woodside, A. Education and Society in the Late Imperial China, 1600-1900. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994. Johan, E. Our great Qing: The Mongols, Buddhism and the State in the Late Imperial China.

Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2006. Susan, N. Peking: Temples, Public Space and Urban Identities, 1400-1900. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000.Elverskog, Johan.  Our great Qing:  the Mongols, Buddhism and the state in late imperial China.  Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2006.Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism were the dominant teachings or religions in Imperial China and most individuals combined all three in their daily lives. Each of these teachings is represented by paintings in the Museum, most notably by The Admonitions Scroll after Gu Kaizhi and the cache of Buddhist scroll paintings from the eighth to tenth century that had been rolled up and sealed away in the eleventh century in Cave 17 at Dunhuang’s Caves of the Thousand Buddhas.

 Ceramics were produced all over the country in vast numbers. In the Song dynasty, collectors prized those with green to blue glazes such as Ru wares above all other