China and the Northern Nomads: Interactions and the Tribute System
Two enduring misconceptions in Chinese history are challenged as the interactions between China and the northern nomads are explored. For centuries, China's engagement with the nomadic peoples of the steppes influenced its development. The Tribute System was established to manage relations with non-Chinese groups, emphasizing Chinese superiority and offering trading privileges. However, in practice, some nomadic empires were able to interact with China on equal terms, revealing the complexity of these relationships.
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Presentation Transcript
KEY CONCEPT 3.1 Page 26 China and the Northern Nomads: A Chinese World Order in the Making Strayer: Ways of the World Chapter 8
Pages 247 - 248 There have been two enduring misconceptions of Chinese history: the idea that Chinese civilization was impressive but largely static the idea that China was a self-contained civilization
Pages 247 - 248 For most of its history, China s most enduring interaction with foreigners was in the north, with the peoples of the steppes. northern nomads typically lived in small kinship-based groups occasional creation of powerful states or confederations pastoral societies needed grain and other farm products from China leaders wanted Chinese manufactured and luxury goods
Pages 248 - 249 For most of its history, China s most enduring interaction with foreigners was in the north, with the peoples of the steppes. steppe pressure and intrusion was a constant factor in Chinese history for 2,000 years nomads often felt threatened by the Chinese Chinese military attacks on the steppes Great Wall China needed the nomads steppes provided horses and other goods Nomads controlled much of the Silk Roads
Pages 249 - 250 The Tribute System in Theory the Chinese understood themselves as the center of the world ( middle kingdom ), far superior to the barbarian outsiders establishment of tribute system to manage relations with non-Chinese peoples non-Chinese authorities had to acknowledge Chinese superiority would present tribute to the emperor would receive trading privileges and bestowals in return (often worth more than the tribute) the system apparently worked for centuries
Pages 250 - 251 The Tribute System in Practice but the system disguised contradictory realities some nomadic empires could deal with China on at least equal terms Xiongnu confederacy (established around 200 B.C.E.) Turkic empires of Mongolia, including the Uighurs
Pages 250 - 251 The Tribute System in Practice steppe nomads usually did not want to conquer and rule China preferred extortion but nomads moved in when the Chinese state broke down the Khitan and then the Jen (Jurchen) peoples took over parts of northern China
Pages 251 - 252 Cultural Influence across an Ecological Frontier nomads who ruled parts of China often adopted Chinese ways but Chinese culture did not have great impact on steppe nomads pastoral societies retained their own cultural patterns most lived where Chinese-style agriculture was impossible
Pages 251 - 252 Cultural Influence across an Ecological Frontier interaction took the form of trade, military conflict, negotiations, extortion, and some cultural influence steppe culture influenced the parts of northern China that were ruled frequently by nomads founders of Sui and Tang dynasties were of mixed blood Tang dynasty: fad among northern Chinese elites for anything connected to western barbarians
