416 (4)

A. Growth of cities. Meant new dynasty. One popular one was the Qing dynasty, ( founding of the dynasty) emperors of this dynasty wanted to keep the Manchu people. They made the rest of the people study the Manchu language and cultural traditions. With the growth of cities, they also kept traditional political institutions. Shanghai became a center for the weaving of cotton cloth. Peace and urban growth contributed to the increase of trade within china’s borders. But still most of China’s people still lived in the countryside. They increased the amount of land used for farming. In addition to rice, wheat, and tea, the rural Chinese planted new crops such as peanuts, sweet potatoes, and tobacco. This made it possible to feed more people. The growth of cities also led to the growth of popular culture in China. People read novels and plays in the common everyday language. Scholars wrote detailed histories of earlier dynasties and essays on Confucian ethnics. They also studied philology, the study of literature and language. China’s rapidly growing population placed increasing pressure on the government.

B. Chinese rulers perhaps had more competition. They were trying to keep China their own China, and avoid being invaded, or for others to take over. Obviously the landscapes weren’t only theirs anymore, there were more people growing crops in them too. I think that at the same time they weren’t so bothered because they discovered new “food” that came from the Americas. Also more trading, which brought a probable good output to the government.