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THE CHINESE TRIBUTE SYSTEM

THE CHINESE TRIBUTE SYSTEM. By: Annie Hoang & Austin Erke. The Chinese Tribute System Background. The system in which early modern China used in trade, which was later on also practiced by different countries Trade was made through exchanging gifts with the emperor (tributes)

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THE CHINESE TRIBUTE SYSTEM

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  1. THE CHINESE TRIBUTE SYSTEM By: Annie Hoang & Austin Erke

  2. The Chinese Tribute System Background • The system in which early modern China used in trade, which was later on also practiced by different countries • Trade was made through exchanging gifts with the emperor (tributes) • The quality of the goods received is derived from the quality of the goods given • Hated by Europeans • Said to be the cause of the Opium War when foreign diplomats were required to kneel down to China diplomat • Said to sabotage trade into making it ritualized • People who did not acknowledge “sinocentrism,” a perspective that views China as superior to all other nations, were considered barbaric and excluded from tribute rituals or major limitations on trade

  3. Chinese Culture Outlook • Although principles fit all, they saw themselves as the only true civilization • Mandate of Heaven: The Chinese emperor was seen as the one representation of all humanity “before the heavens” • Inner circle (people hired by the emperor himself to work around him): • Gives tribute, which was “theoretically” voluntary • Pays mandatory taxes

  4. Symbolic Importance in Exchange • Foreign goods: exotic, impressive to obtain and gives the emperor good, flashy image • Ex. Ming rulers saw themselves as higher than any rulers because they had exotic animals in their zoo • Emperor goods in return: refinement and civilization, such as Confucian books, silk, porcelain, and paper money • Cycling tributes: tributes received were often given as a gift from a diplomat to another merchant to somewhat display their power

  5. Different Sides to the Tribute System Disadvantages Advantages Gave currencies defining a common market Paper Money Silk Created a worthwhile market through quality of goods, or the values of them It sets up a world where elites can do business with people similar to themselves, with a lessened risk of failing • Traders, including people of their own, began complaining about the low quantity of gifts that does not match the value of the goods • Stimulated a cheat system resulted in the people just coming back for more even though the trade was not fair • The Tribute Exchange also gave additional value to Chinese goods because it upheld the title of an emperor’s offering

  6. “The tribute trade was no less commerce for being ritualized−and no less ritualized for being commerce.”

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