BY ESTHER KIM, ANTHONY KUO, BEN CHAN, AND HAANA YU

Comparison and Interactions Between China

and Russia

Culture in China-Art

Art- Mostly crafted out of jade, pottery, and later bronze during the Shang Dynasty. Porcelain was very popular at that time, and still is. There were also many paintings drawn in China Cloisonne, jewelery, tableware, room dividers, painted fans were

made By mid 1700s, special workshops produced wallpaper and other

stuff according to specifications of European merchants

Culture in China—Art

o Performing Arts- began during the Imperial Era of the Yuan Dynasty.o Operao Theatero Dance

Culture in Russia-Art

Had handsome jewelry, wall hangings, and decorated leather items

Used many animal shapes in their art The Chinese used nature and animal shapes in their

art as well

Christian Art The acceptance of Christianity in 988 AD shaped

much of the art in Russia through religious art.

Culture in China- Architecture

Imperial Palaces Very huge and rich

Great Wall of China Built in the Ming Dynasty Started being built around the time of Christ The Great Wall concept was revived again during the Ming

Dynasty, following the Ming army's defeat by the Oirats in the the Battle of Tumu in 1449.

Culture in Russia-Architecture

Many churches were beautifully constructed during this time period Invented the iconostasis, a carved choir screen on

which icons are hung.

Culture in China-Festivals

Dragon Boat Festival Originating in Ancient China, it was celebrated to honor the death

of Qu Yuan, a renowned poet and minister to the King of Chu in 278 BC.

As Chu was conquered by Qin, Qu Yuan committed suicide on the fifth day of the fifth month by drowning himself in the Milou river.

The local villagers, who admired him, fed the fish so that the fish wouldn’t eat the body of Qu Yuan—allowing them to paddle out and retrieve his body.

This marked the beginning of the Dragon Boat Festival and it was celebrated with the aim of spreading good wishes and happiness.

Culture in China-Festivals

Chinese New Year Begins on the first day of the Lunar/Solar New Year. According to Chinese folk tales, the festival started

with a fight against Nian (a mythical beast). They believed that Nian would not attack them, if food was offered to it. Since then, Chinese put food in front of their doors on the starting day of the festival.

Culture in Russia-Festivals

Maslenitsa The equivalent of a Russian Mardi Gras. Celebrated the day before Lent. Also called the “Pancake Week” because that’s what

they eat.

Christian Holidays Celebrated Christmas, Lent, Palm Sunday, Good

Friday, Easter or Paskha, Ascension, Pentecost and All Saints Day

Culture in China- Martial Arts

Kung Fu A form of Martial Arts where they trained both the

physical and spiritual body. It was a unique combination of art, exercise, self-

defense, and discipline.

Tai Chi A form of Martial Arts started by the Taoists.

Culture in Russia

Russia had diverse population China’s society was also diverse and this diversity

grew during the Qing expansion (1644-1783)

Intellectual-China

Government Tests: Started by Confucius 165 BC. Prevalent after his

death as well. In order to get a government position, prospective

officials were required to take a test to get the job. The advent of printing books also helped

the process

Jesuit Library at Beijing Jesuits shared books on technology and

science with Chinese scholars

Intellectual-China

Common writing systems, language and Confucian models connected China There were still different dialects Writing was also an art form through calligraphy.

Confucianism modeled daily life It was the equivalent of the Christianity in Russia. Confucius’s life time

551–478 BC Still has a great impact in modern China years later.

Culture-Russia and China

Hierarchy-China Rulers Administrators Soldiers Peasants Men were the “rulers” of the family

Hierarchy – Russia Land owners were the most powerful Artisans—people with trade professions Serfs—people tied to land as slaves

Hereditary Woman were subordinate to men

Intellectual (Politics)—China and Europe

The Europeans learned some political philosophy tactics from China. Late 1770s poems were supposedly written by

Emperor Qianlong and translated into French for Western Europeans to read

European intellectuals who were also questioning their own political systems found the Chinese’s practical, secular, and compassionate ruler intriguing.

Intellectual-Russia

Russia was connected by Religion and a common language—Russian. Religion was a huge part in the intellectual and

cultural aspects of Russia. Most of the Russians were Christians Russian Orthodox Cross:

Change Over TimeChange Over TimeComparisons between China and Russia

Ming Empire (1500-1644)Ming Empire (1500-1644)Economic and cultural

achievements sustained early Ming Empire in 1500s

EconomyEconomy Ming manufacturers transformed global economy with an

international markets consisting of Ming porcelain, silk, and lacquered furniture.

Stimulated commercial development of East Asia, Indian Ocean and Europe.

Growing country lead to rapid growth in silk, cotton, and porcelain industries.

Influx of silver led to substitute payments in silver for land taxes, labor obligations, and other various dues.

After 16th century, gained knowledge from Europeans of new crops from Africa and America

No production in rice-growing southern regions nor wheat-growing regions in northern region.

Silk, Porcelain, Silver, Lacquered Silk, Porcelain, Silver, Lacquered FurnitureFurniture

Factors Leading To DeclineFactors Leading To DeclineAgricultural distress and great famine fueled

uprisings and declines in local populationsRapid growth of trading economy led to

urban growth and business speculation.Suffered from price inflation caused by silverFactories suffered from disorder and

inefficiencyRising environmental, economic, and

administrative problems weakened the Ming Empire

Decline of Ming EmpireDecline of Ming Empire1592-1598 Japanese invasion

weakened the Ming and Chinese defenses in the northeast couldn’t stop advance of Manchu troops

Manchu gained control of south China and incorporated Taiwan into imperial China.

Conquered Mongol and Central Asia

Ming Empire collapsed in 1644

Qing Empire (1644-1783)Qing Empire (1644-1783)Conquered former Ming territories,

lower Amur River basin, Inner Mongolia, eastern Turkestan, and Tibet.

Grew twice the size of Ming Empire17th and 18th century was a period

of great economic, military, and cultural achievement in China

Encouraged foreign trade Increase in overland routes of communication from

Korea to Central Asia Influenced Europeans with culture and knowledge Founded “variolation”, a form of inoculation used to

spread smallpox China’s population grew three times its size in 1500 Gradual adoption of New World crops, such as corn

and sweet potatoes

Empire of the Great QingEmpire of the Great Qing

RussiaRussiaFrom 1550, Russia expanded rapidly from

eastern Europe across northern Asia and North America

Became one of the major powers by 1750Expansion incorporated different cultures,

languages, ethnicities, and religious beliefsPower became centralizedCivil and foreign war in 16th/17th century

caused disruption and economic declineBy 1723, all Russian slaves became serfs,

and by 1729, made up over half the population in Russia.

Peter the Great (1689-Peter the Great (1689-1725)1725)Made major changes

to reduce Russia’s isolation and increased empire’s size and power.

Strengthen Russian state and increase the power of the tsar

Catherine the Great (1762-Catherine the Great (1762-1796)1796)Promoted industry and

building a canal system to improve trade

Implemented administrative reforms and diplomacy

Expanded Peter’s policies of westernizing Russian elite

Political SimilaritiesPolitical SimilaritiesLand basedChina expanded westward and Russia

expanded east, west, and southDepended on superior numbers and tactics

for success, rather than technologyModern “gunpowder revolution” of 15th/16th

century was centered in Ottoman Empire and western European states

By the 18th century, its armies relied on size rather than advanced weaponry

China used Confucian models, imperial customs, and common system of writing

Converts to Catholicism helped introduce European techniques of crop production and engineering

Orthodox missionaries encouraged conversion of Siberian peoples.

Roman Catholic Poles incorporated in late 1700s

Russian language was promotedAbsorption of new ideas and styles from

western Europe

Cultural, Social, and Economic Cultural, Social, and Economic SimilaritiesSimilaritiesExpansion of China and Russia both

incorporate new lands and diverse cultures and people

Maintained policies which tolerated diversity and promoted cultural assimilation

Hierarchical and oppressive social structuresSlave plantation societies of the AmericasRulers governed with absolute powers and

were more limited in size of empires, bureaucracy and corruption.

Differences Over TimeDifferences Over Time In 18th century, Europe

relied on size rather than advanced weaponry

Constructed fleets of warships in Baltic and Black Seas

Approached people with tolerance and superior ways and beliefs

Absorption of new ideas and styles from western Europe

China used small war junks armed with only half-dozen cannon

Did not develop navies with size and coastlines

Used Confucian models, imperial customs and a common system of writing to transcend differences

Governments conducted diplomatic and strategic missions

Restricted overseas trade

Ming ChinaEuropean merchants bought large amounts

of porcelain (became known as “china”)New World crops introduced by European

merchants

China and the ManchuThe Manchu quickly assimilated Chinese

customs (i.e. Confucianism) after they came into power

Emperor Kangxi studied Chinese, Manchu, and Mongolian culture and promoted cultural tolerance

Europe and ChinaEuropeans slowly gained trading rights with

China, mainly by negotiation and observing Chinese ritual practices (kowtowing)

Jesuit, Franciscan, and Dominican missionaries spread Christianity throughout China

Jesuits obtained high positions due to their influence over the Chinese elite

Jesuits transferred European techniques in manufacturing, mapmaking, and medicine

Jesuits revised their teachings to accommodate for Confucian beliefs

Chinese Influence on EuropeNew medicinal practices were brought to

Europe from ChinaChinese products, such as silk, tea, and

porcelain, were in high demand in EuropeEuropeans admired Chinese emperors,

especially Kangxi

RussiaExchange of culture took place across border

with ChinaAsian languages spread through rural RussiaPeter the Great traveled through Europe and

adapted Russian society and culture to that of Europe’s (trade and tolerance)

Citations

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ancient-chinese-culture.html

http://www.russiansabroad.com/russian_history_148.html

http://aglobalworld.com/orthodox-calendar/russian-orthodox-observances.php

http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/1923/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism#Gover

nance