Question

What is isolationism and how did it affect China during the Ming dynasty?

Answer 1

Hint: The Ming dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1664. The Ming dynasty came to power in China after a series of natural disasters, Zhu Yuanzhang, a peasant formed an army and overthrew the ruling empire, the Mongol Yuan dynasty. The Mings were the most autocratic rulers in the history of China.

Complete answer: a. In 1434, an official order was issued by the court in China, banning all kinds of overseas travel and shipbuilding works.
b. This was Chinese isolationism in the late 15th century, when the rulers of the country decided to keep their internal affairs private by not indulging in any kind of political relationship with other empires.
c. Before this proclamation was made Chinese travellers and merchants did travel to faraway lands on expeditions. The purpose of their expeditions has been assumed to be mostly economic and not political like the British.
d. The reasons for this sudden decision are unknown, however there are various theories given by historians.
e. One is that Confucianism had a strong influence in the Chinese court and because of its policy of ethnocentrism, the rulers decided to stop travel. Another reason could be that the Chinese economy was getting weak so the rulers decided to spend funds on internal affairs rather than on expensive overseas travel.

Note: The most important sailor/traveller of the Ming dynasty was Zheng He. Between 1405 to 1433, he led seven ambitious expeditions till as far as the Cape of Good Hope. His expeditions were however not of a political nature, but just for trade and exploration.