Late Ming and Early Qing (Manchu) Dynasties

Columbian Exchange and Ming-Qing China

New World crop innovations

Corn, 16th c. (N and SW)

Peanuts, 16th c. (S and SW)

Potatoes, 16th and 17th c. (N and SW)

Sweet potatoes, 18th c. (coastal regions)

Assimilation of potato

Cultural resistance

“Pauper food”

Economic appeal

High altitude

High yield/acre

Lower labor

Easily stored

Agents of transmission

Spanish sailors

Chinese merchants based in Manila

Silk-Silver trade

Missionaries

Ming decline

Global factors

Favorable climate and population growth, 16th c.

65 million in 1380
150 million in 1600

Cooling of climate, 17th c.

Decrease of silver in world economy, 1630s

Reduction in exports

Ming tax system’s impact on peasantry

Purchasing power of 1 string of 1,000 copper coins:

1 oz. silver 1630

0.5 oz. silver 1640

Rebellions

Li Zicheng, 1630-1644
Beijing captured, 1644

Qing (1636-1644-1911)

Manchus conquer China

Previous view

Manchus quickly sinicized

Manchu impact on China was minimal

Methodology

Chinese sources

The “New Qing History”

Manchus were bicultural

Manchu impact on China is important

Methodology

Chinese, Manchu & Mongol sources

Jurchen {Manchu} Society

Social organization