Globalization Beta: The Chinese Globalization Beta: The Chinese Role in the Emergence of Early Role in the Emergence of Early

Global ConnectionsGlobal ConnectionsMatthew M. Jason, Lansing Eastern High SchoolMatthew M. Jason, Lansing Eastern High School

Anthony Abel-Pype, Teacher Intern, Michigan State Anthony Abel-Pype, Teacher Intern, Michigan State UniversityUniversity

Created with support from

University of Colorado, Boulder

Program for Teaching East Asia

Center for Asian Studies

and

The Freeman Foundation

How do we define How do we define globalizationglobalization??► “Globalization in its literal sense is the process

of transformation of local or regional phenomena into global ones. It can be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society and function together.” -Wikipedia

► “The interweaving of markets, technology, information systems and telecommunications systems in a way that is shrinking the world from a size medium to a size small, and enabling each of us to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper, and cheaper than ever before, and enabling the world to reach into each of us farther, faster, deeper, cheaper than ever before.” -Thomas Friedman, The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century

How do we define How do we define globalizationglobalization??

► Only popularly used since the late 1980s, Only popularly used since the late 1980s, early 1990s.early 1990s.

► Focus on global institutions like Focus on global institutions like multinational corporations, World Bank, multinational corporations, World Bank, IMF, United Nations.IMF, United Nations.

► In secondary history courses it is largely In secondary history courses it is largely Euro-centric, with an origin(s) in the Euro-centric, with an origin(s) in the European Age of Exploration (i.e. European Age of Exploration (i.e. Columbus, da Gama).Columbus, da Gama).

► However, these origins were not, in However, these origins were not, in reality, a one-way process. Much of the reality, a one-way process. Much of the impetus came from Asia, which is still impetus came from Asia, which is still central to globalization today.central to globalization today.

Why is it important to understand Why is it important to understand these origins?these origins?

►The present is a product of the past... The present is a product of the past... sounds simple, right?sounds simple, right?

►Arabs, Muslims, and Chinese were the Arabs, Muslims, and Chinese were the main participants in creating a more main participants in creating a more connected world: Silk Road – European connected world: Silk Road – European Exploration (1Exploration (1stst century BCE – 15 century BCE – 15thth century).century).

►These same people are critical to the These same people are critical to the functioning and stability of the world today functioning and stability of the world today and must be understood to foster a better and must be understood to foster a better world.world.

Silk Road(s) ContextSilk Road(s) Context

►11stst century BCE – 14 century BCE – 14thth century CE century CE►Dominated by Chinese goods and South Dominated by Chinese goods and South

West Asian nomadic traders.West Asian nomadic traders.►After death of Muhammad (7After death of Muhammad (7thth C.), acted C.), acted

as conduit for Islam into Central and as conduit for Islam into Central and South East Asia.South East Asia.

►Simultaneously, ocean routes directly Simultaneously, ocean routes directly connected East Africa and Arabian connected East Africa and Arabian Peninsula to China.Peninsula to China.

11stst Century CE, Trans-Asia Trade Century CE, Trans-Asia Trade-Based on writings of Ptolemy, 150 CE-Based on writings of Ptolemy, 150 CE

www.wikipedia.org

Main Teaching ThemesMain Teaching Themes

►Chinese contact with rest of world, Chinese contact with rest of world, particularly Arab.particularly Arab.

►Advancement of Chinese culture preceding Advancement of Chinese culture preceding the Age of European Exploration.the Age of European Exploration.

►Connections between Chinese culture Connections between Chinese culture before 15before 15thth century and the present. century and the present.

►““The world has been in China always, and The world has been in China always, and China has always been in the world.”China has always been in the world.” Tim Cheek, U of British ColumbiaTim Cheek, U of British Columbia

World Wealth, 1500World Wealth, 1500

worldmapper.org

PeriodizationPeriodization

►Typically follow dynastic cycle.Typically follow dynastic cycle. In line with conventional sources.In line with conventional sources.

►However, dynamic within specific However, dynamic within specific dynasties, as well as cultural continuity dynasties, as well as cultural continuity between.between.

►Emphasis on relative period:Emphasis on relative period: Compare with other dynasties, periods.Compare with other dynasties, periods. Compare with other periods, elsewhere, i.e. Compare with other periods, elsewhere, i.e.

Late Middle Ages Europe.Late Middle Ages Europe.

TimeframesTimeframes

►Tang: 618 – 907 CE *Tang: 618 – 907 CE *►Five Dynasties and Ten KingdomsFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms►Song: 960 – 1279 CE *Song: 960 – 1279 CE *►Yuan: 1279 – 1368 CE (Mongol)Yuan: 1279 – 1368 CE (Mongol)►Ming: 1368 – 1644 CE *Ming: 1368 – 1644 CE *►Qing: 1644 – 1911 CE (Manchu)Qing: 1644 – 1911 CE (Manchu)

The world in Tang China...The world in Tang China...

► By 8th century, over 200,000 Persians, Arabs, Indians, Malays lived in coastal Chinese cities (mostly Guangzhou [Canton]).

► Said Ibn Abi Waqqas, companion of Muhammad, traveled to China by end of 7th century, established Huaiseng Mosque in Guangzhou.

The world in Tang China...The world in Tang China...

►Guangzhou bustling port and place of Guangzhou bustling port and place of residence for foreign-born.residence for foreign-born.

►758 CE: A “rebellion” occurred in which 758 CE: A “rebellion” occurred in which large sections of the city burned, city large sections of the city burned, city closed for 5 decades to foreign closed for 5 decades to foreign residents.residents.

►878 CE: Huang Cho rebellion, records 878 CE: Huang Cho rebellion, records indicated up to 120,000 Jews, Christians, indicated up to 120,000 Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Magians killed.Muslims, and Magians killed.

The world in Tang China...The world in Tang China...►Foreign goods, particularly those of Foreign goods, particularly those of

Central Asia, highly prized by the elite.Central Asia, highly prized by the elite.►Elements of Mediterranean cultures had Elements of Mediterranean cultures had

made their way into Chinese society, made their way into Chinese society, particularly pottery motifs, legends, and particularly pottery motifs, legends, and religious imagery.religious imagery.

►A complex tribute system existed to A complex tribute system existed to maintain good relations between the maintain good relations between the Emperor and foreign nations to facilitate Emperor and foreign nations to facilitate trade and harmonious relations.trade and harmonious relations.

“Camel Rider” ceramic

The “Wind God,” from the Greek, Boreas: 2nd century Hadda (present day Afghanistan) 7th century Tarim Basin 17th century Japan (Fujin).

Tang China in the World...Tang China in the World...

►Geographer Jia Dan, late 8Geographer Jia Dan, late 8thth C. writes C. writes that that junkjunk had to anchor in mouth of had to anchor in mouth of Euphrates to transfer goods to Baghdad.Euphrates to transfer goods to Baghdad.

►Confirmed by contemporary Arab Confirmed by contemporary Arab merchant Shulama.merchant Shulama.

►Chinese paper makers captured by Chinese paper makers captured by Abbasid soldiers @ Battle of Talas, 751 Abbasid soldiers @ Battle of Talas, 751 CE led to changes in paper technology CE led to changes in paper technology throughout SE Asia.throughout SE Asia.

Battle of Talas

Arabic language map of SE Asia

Expansion during Tang Dynasty

Case Study: Case Study: BelitungBelitung Shipwreck Shipwreck► Arab Arab dhowdhow, c. 826, , c. 826,

found late 1990s.found late 1990s.► Over 60,000 pieces, Over 60,000 pieces,

including gold, silver, including gold, silver, fine porcelain, many fine porcelain, many mass produced mass produced ceramics (urns, ink ceramics (urns, ink pots).pots).

► Pieces inscribed with Pieces inscribed with “salaam” and Arabic.“salaam” and Arabic.

► Places regular Arab-Places regular Arab-Chinese trade centuries Chinese trade centuries earlier than thought.earlier than thought.

Belitung PiecesBelitung Pieces

Blue and white ware. Changsha bowl with Arabic inscription.

What can we learn from the What can we learn from the Belitung Wreck?Belitung Wreck?

►What can we learn from the kinds of What can we learn from the kinds of artifacts found?artifacts found?

►What can we infer about the sea trade that What can we infer about the sea trade that took place during the time of the Silk took place during the time of the Silk Roads?Roads?

►What does the evidence of this wreck say What does the evidence of this wreck say about the state of global trade, some 700 about the state of global trade, some 700 years before the time of Columbus?years before the time of Columbus?

►BBC ArticleBBC Article, , imagesimages from Singapore from Singapore collection.collection.

Song Dynasty, 960 – 1279 CESong Dynasty, 960 – 1279 CE►Peak of technological innovation.Peak of technological innovation.►Creation of technologies integral to Creation of technologies integral to

today's world:today's world: Explosive powderExplosive powder Printing pressPrinting press Paper currencyPaper currency CompassCompass Mechanical clockMechanical clock

►Ends with Mongol conquest of China.Ends with Mongol conquest of China.

Teaching about the Teaching about the Innovations of Song China Innovations of Song China

►Have students teach each other.Have students teach each other.►Students focus on a particular Students focus on a particular

technology, do the research, and post technology, do the research, and post their findings, with an artifact.their findings, with an artifact.

►Requires decoding visual and written Requires decoding visual and written texts, summarizing and synthesizing.texts, summarizing and synthesizing.

►Using the web to display and view Using the web to display and view student work enhances student student work enhances student engagement. engagement.

Using ArtifactsUsing Artifacts

►Focused, sustained study on some Focused, sustained study on some “thing” from the period studied.“thing” from the period studied.

►Helps students build their historical Helps students build their historical imagination, visualize the content they imagination, visualize the content they are learning.are learning.

►Students studying student work is fun, Students studying student work is fun, and encourages thinking about how and encourages thinking about how they think (metacognition).they think (metacognition).

Ming Dynasty: 1368 – 1644Ming Dynasty: 1368 – 1644► Long period of stable rule.Long period of stable rule.► Military, naval growth, as well as Military, naval growth, as well as

infrastructure.infrastructure.► Signs of a market economy, with currency Signs of a market economy, with currency

as central element.as central element.► Extensive private industry, high output.Extensive private industry, high output.► Considerable trade with Americas, via Considerable trade with Americas, via

Spanish (silver and sweet potatoes!)Spanish (silver and sweet potatoes!)► Over 30% of world's GDP, perhaps as much Over 30% of world's GDP, perhaps as much

as 40% of the world's silver.as 40% of the world's silver.

Admiral Zheng HeAdmiral Zheng He

►1371 – 1433 CE►Ethnic Hui, eunuch advisor to Yongle

Emperor.►Descendant of Yunnan governor, Uzbek

origins.► 7 voyages, as far as East Africa, Persian

Gulf.►1405 expedition consisted of 27,800 men,

62 treasure ships supported by approximately 190 smaller ships, including:

Equine ships, water tankers, troop transports

►Arab sources corroborate Zheng's own records.

Ships from Zheng He’s fleet, c. 1400.

Models comparing the ships of Zheng He and Christopher Columbus, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai.

Giraffe, from East Giraffe, from East Africa, 1415Africa, 1415

Zheng's sailing charts, published 1621

Ramifications of Zheng HeRamifications of Zheng He

►Ming China was multicultural, as had Ming China was multicultural, as had China been, for centuries.China been, for centuries.

►China's reach was wide-ranging, China's reach was wide-ranging, possibly to Atlantic and Mediterranean.possibly to Atlantic and Mediterranean.

►Voyages part of a larger tribute system Voyages part of a larger tribute system of building ties to emperor, not colonial.of building ties to emperor, not colonial.

►China was open, and not isolationist as China was open, and not isolationist as often suggested.often suggested.

What to do with Zheng?What to do with Zheng?►There are scattered internet sources on There are scattered internet sources on

him.him.►Compile a mixture, assign to students, and Compile a mixture, assign to students, and

have them create biographies. Compare in have them create biographies. Compare in small groups to see what characteristics small groups to see what characteristics stand out.stand out.

►““Profile in Global Discovery”Profile in Global Discovery”►Comparisons between his own fleet and Comparisons between his own fleet and

that of later European explorers.that of later European explorers.►What does this tell us about China before What does this tell us about China before

the Age of European Exploration?the Age of European Exploration?

Contributions to the European Contributions to the European Age of ExplorationAge of Exploration

► Mounted rudder, China via Arabia.

► Astrolabe, Arabia.

► Compass, China.

► qarib – Arab model for European caravel

From left to right: Chinese junk, Arab dhow, Portuguese caravel.

Lessons for the PresentLessons for the Present

►““Idea that China is culturally isolated is a Idea that China is culturally isolated is a relic of the Cold War.” -Tim Cheekrelic of the Cold War.” -Tim Cheek

►The history of Chinese relations is more The history of Chinese relations is more significant than its “isolated” geography.significant than its “isolated” geography.

►Western stereotypes come from time of Western stereotypes come from time of later Qing Dynasty and Mao.later Qing Dynasty and Mao.

►Less “East” and “West” and more a Less “East” and “West” and more a complex process we are continually complex process we are continually learning more about.learning more about.

““There are multiple ways that the very There are multiple ways that the very identity of “the West” is dependent for identity of “the West” is dependent for its construction on a vast history of its construction on a vast history of relations with “the East,” that indeed relations with “the East,” that indeed there is no West without an East and there is no West without an East and vice versa; and that the most vice versa; and that the most fundamental requirements of a global fundamental requirements of a global age is a recognition of this fact so that age is a recognition of this fact so that a real conversation can begin about a real conversation can begin about the necessary conditions of mutuality the necessary conditions of mutuality that will inevitably form part of all that will inevitably form part of all human futures.”human futures.”- D. G. Smith, - D. G. Smith, Trying to Teach in a Season Trying to Teach in a Season

of Great Untruthof Great Untruth

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

►Chinese Seige Warfare Chinese Seige Warfare : Mechanical : Mechanical Artillery and Siege Weapons of AntiquityArtillery and Siege Weapons of Antiquity

►Time Asia specialTime Asia special on Zheng He and on Zheng He and Chinese maritime exploration.Chinese maritime exploration.