Ming China and Tokugawa Japan chose isolation in the late 1400s and 1600s respectively. Ming China expanded through naval expeditions in the early 1400s but later destroyed records of the voyages and limited trade with Europeans. They focused on internal development, agriculture, and border security rather than further expansion or innovation. Similarly, Tokugawa Japan unified in the 1600s under the Tokugawa family but then imposed isolation, severely limiting European trade, missionaries, travel, and books to promote Japanese identity and development instead of external contacts.

1. Ming China and Tokugawa Japan Empires that chose ISOLATION

2. MING CHINA 1368-1644

3. “ New” Dynasty in China – the Ming

4. In 1400, MING CHINA had . . . a stable government and bureaucracy (after overthrowing the last Mongol rulers of the Yuan dynasty) Reinstated their education system for scholar-officials more wealth, resources, & productivity in ag than most empires

5. In 1400, MING CHINA had . . . been using gunpowder, the compass, maps, and moveable print larger armies than W. Europe & good shipbuilding technology favorable terms for international trade

6. Ming China expanded its power Ming Emperors sent several gov-sponsored expeditions in the early 1400s. Hundreds of ships and thousands of men made diplomatic “contacts” and trade connections from China to East Africa.

7. Voyages of the Chinese, 1405-1433

9. Ming rulers chose internal development over trade and expansion By the late 1400s, Chinese officials destroyed the journals about the voyages. Trade with Europeans was limited. The Chinese rulers placed emphasis on border security, building campaigns, and agricultural production for China.

11. MING CHINA did NOT have . . . momentum toward expansion, technological innovation, or scientific progress armies as well-trained or as deadly as the armies of Europe or the Islamic empires

12. Tokugawa Japan 1600-1867

14. In 1600, Japan had Recently been “unified.” (Tokugawa family ruled Japan into the 1800s)

16. Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Casa

17. In 1600s, Japan had a long tradition of the warrior - elites adopted some of the weapons of Europeans – and begun to manufacture their own.

18. By the late 1600s, the Tokugawa rulers imposed isolation by. . . severely limiting European trade goods & outlawing Christian missionaries. Limiting Japanese travel Banning Western books Creating an education system that promoted Japanese identity

19. Keeping an eye on the “hairy barbarians” For the next centuries, the Japanese elite kept contact with developments in Europe through trade contacts with the Dutch.

20. Japan did NOT have many natural resources success in invading Korea or China