[-AI-3.5]History of relations between China and Europe (ancient - 15th century)

Abstract

この記事では、中国とヨーロッパの歴史的な関係について学びます。古代から15世紀までの重要な出来事に焦点を当て、戦争や貿易などの多くのイベントがあり、世界史に大きな影響を与えました。

中国とヨーロッパの初期交流

古代からの最初の交流例は、古代エジプトとの軍事同盟でした。エジプトのファラオは中国の皇帝に手紙を書き、軍事同盟を結ぶことを提案しました。エジプトと中国の交流は、貿易や戦争を通じて増加しました。ローマ帝国時代にも交流は続いて拡大しました。中国のシルクや陶磁器はローマ帝国で非常に人気がありました。この期間中、シルクロードが開拓され、中国とヨーロッパの間の貿易路となりました。

唐の栄華期

唐の栄華期には、当時の最も進んだ文化を持っていた中国がありました。ウイグル帝国との同盟により、唐朝は数学、天文学、医学などで重大な進歩を遂げました。これらの成果は、定期的な貿易交流や西洋旅行者の到着によってもたらされました。ウイグル帝国との同盟により、中国は西洋文化との接触を深めることができました。ウイグル人は中国の支配下の主体であり、中国の文化を学び、中国の貿易路を管理することができました。両国はお互いの文化に影響を与えました。唐の時代における数学、天文学、医学の進歩は、西洋文化よりも優れていました。この時代には、地図作成方法や10進法の使用、中国医師が当時の先進的な鎮痛剤を開発するなどの進歩がありました。これらの進歩に刺激を受け、西洋旅行者は知識交換を海外で促進しました。最後に、定期的な貿易交流により、唐の中国とアラビア、ペルシャ、中央アジアの間に貿易路が確立され、繁栄をもたらしました。西洋の旅行者たちは、中国の技術や文化に触れるためにこれらのルートを通って中国に入りました。

宋の経済的繁栄期

宋の時代（960年-1279年）には、中国の経済的繁栄期がありました。この時期には、宋の文化や科学技術が発展し、多くの産業が栄えました。陶磁器、茶、シルクなどの製品が輸出され、ポーランドと同盟を結び、貿易も行われました。しかし、ヨーロッパでは中国のイメージが変わりました。それはもはや世界の中心地として見られておらず、文化的欠陥や弱点が露呈されたのです。輸出品が豊富であっても、中国自体が再生する力を失いました。それでも、宋の時代の発展は注目に値します。最初の国家政府機関である天府と六省の設立や、軍資金の発行によるインフレーション問題の解決としてより一般的になった紙幣の使用などがありました。さらに、宋の時代の文化的発展は、科学技術の発展や蘇軾などの有名な詩人に代表される文学の黄金期としても知られています。それにもかかわらず、西部と北部地域は疲弊し、最終的に外部からの侵略に苦しめられ、統治システムと経済が崩壊しました。

モンゴル帝国の影響

モンゴル帝国の到来は、中国とヨーロッパの関係に重要な影響を与えました。ジンギスカンの侵略により、北元王朝が興り、東アジアとヨーロッパがつながりました。また、ムスリムとの相互作用もこの時期の重要な要素でした。マルコ・ポーロの旅行記は、ヨーロッパ諸国にアジアの文化や経済に関する知識を提供しました。さらに、中国の技術、経済、芸術はヨーロッパに広く影響を与えました。この時期の文化的、技術的交流は、ヨーロッパの発展に大きく貢献しました。

明とアジアの相互作用

かつて、中国はアジアの中心的な文化・経済ハブでした。明の時代には、鄭和は船団を率いて南シナ海、インド洋、アフリカの沿岸を旅し、韓国、日本、ジャワなど多くの地域と貿易を行いました。イエズス会の宣教師がやって来たことにより、教育、科学技術、宗教に影響を与え、増加しました。イエズス会の宣教師は、中国で天文学、数学、科学を教え、中国文化を理解するためにも取り組みました。しかしながら、島原の乱のため、中国と日本の関係はますます緊張し、明朝の終わりには関係が壊れました。東アジアにおける中国の相互作用は、東アジアにおける彼らの影響だけではなく、文化や貿易における影響も非常に重要なものでした。鄭和の航海、イエズス会宣教師の関与、韓国、日本、ジャワとの貿易、そして日本との関係の断絶は、中国の歴史の重要な部分です。

15世紀の終わりとの断絶

15世紀の終わりに、中国とヨーロッパの関係は断絶されました。その一つの重要な要因は、明の王朝の海禁政策であり、海外貿易や移民を禁止し、外界との接触を制限しました。同時に、スペインやポルトガルがフィリピンやマラッカを植民地化し、アジアとの貿易ルートを変えました。さらに、コロンブスによる新大陸の発見は、ヨーロッパの貿易ルートを変革しました。これらすべての要因が、中国とヨーロッパの関係を大きく制限し、最終的に断絶に至りました。しかし、この関係は完全に断絶されたわけではありません。

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Early contacts between Europe and China
• Flourishing period of the Tang Dynasty
• Economic prosperity of the Song Dynasty
• Influence of the Mongol Empire
• Ming Dynasty and interactions with Asia
• End of the relationship at the end of the 15th century
• Conclusion

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Introduction

We will be learning about the historical relationship between China and Europe. This article will focus on important events from ancient times to the 15th century. There have been many events such as wars and trade between Europe and China, which have had a significant impact on world history. By reading this article, you will be able to deepen your understanding of past events and learn how cultural exchange occurred.

Early Exchange between Europe and China

Firstly, the history of relations between China and Europe is very interesting. There was a lot of interaction between the two from ancient times until the 15th century. In this article, we will introduce early exchanges between Europe and China.

The first example of exchange from ancient times was military alliance with ancient Egypt. The pharaoh of Egypt wrote a letter to the emperor of China to form a military alliance. Exchange between ancient Egypt and China increased through trade and war.

In the Roman Empire era, exchanges continued to expand. Chinese silk and pottery were very popular in the Roman Empire. During this period, the Silk Road was also pioneered, which became a trade route between China and Europe.

In this way, there was a wide range of early exchanges between Europe and China. As a result of the interaction of war, trade and cultural exchanges, the influence of both increased.

The prosperous period of the Tang dynasty.¶

During the flourishing period of the Tang Dynasty, China had the most advanced culture of that time. Under an alliance with the Uyghur Empire, the Tang Dynasty made significant progress in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. These achievements were brought about by regular trade exchanges and the arrival of Western travellers.

The alliance with the Uyghur Empire allowed China to deepen its contact with Western culture. The Uyghurs maintained their position as subjects under Chinese rule, which allowed them to learn about Chinese culture and control China’s trade routes. Both countries influenced each other’s cultures.

Advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine during the Tang Dynasty were superior to those of Western culture. The era saw the introduction of cartographic method and the use of the decimal system. Chinese doctors also developed advanced analgesics for the time. These advancements inspired Western travellers, and knowledge exchange was facilitated overseas.

Lastly, regular trade exchanges established trade routes between Tang Dynasty China and Arabia, Persia, and Central Asia, leading to prosperity. Western travellers entered China via these routes, where they encountered Chinese technology and culture. The history of Westerners meeting and influencing China is fascinating.

The economic prosperity of the Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty (960-1279) corresponds to a period of economic prosperity in China. During this time, Song culture and scientific technology developed, and many industries flourished. Products such as ceramics, tea, and silk were exported, and there were alliances and trade with Poland.

However, in Europe, the image of China changed. It was no longer seen as the centre of the world, and cultural deficiencies and weaknesses were exposed. Despite having an abundance of exports, China itself lost its power to revive.

Nevertheless, the development during the Song Dynasty was noteworthy as it saw the establishment of the first national government agency, the Heavenly Administration and the Six Ministries, and the use of paper money became more common to solve the problem of inflation through the issuance of military funds known as army bills.

Moreover, the cultural development during the Song Dynasty was also seen as a golden period for literature, represented by the development of science and technology and famous poets such as Su Shi.

Despite this, due to the dense population in the southern region of Huabei, the western and northern regions became exhausted and eventually suffered invasions from the outside, leading to the collapse of the governance system and the economy.

The translated text is Influence of the Mongol Empire

The arrival of the Mongol Empire had a significant impact on the relationship between China and Europe. T he invasion of Genghis Khan led to the rise of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, which connected East Asia and Europe. Interactions with Muslims were also an important element of this period. Marco Polo’s travelogue provided European countries with knowledge of Asian culture and economics. Furthermore, Chinese technology, economy, and art had a widespread influence on Europe. Cultural and technological exchanges from this period contributed greatly to the development of Europe. However, after the Mongol Empire, during the Ming Dynasty, a sea ban policy was implemented and the relationship eventually broke down. Interactions with the Mongol Empire contributed to the exchange of East- West cultures and greatly contributed to the world’s economic development. However, Mongol rule was not always stable, and it had an impact on their relationships.

Interaction between Ming and Asia

Long ago, China was the central culture and economic hub of Asia. During the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He led a fleet of ships on voyages across the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and coast of Africa, engaging in trade with many regions, including Korea, Japan, and Java.

With the arrival of Jesuit missionaries, education, scientific, and religious influences increased. The Jesuits taught astronomy, mathematics, and science in China and also worked to understand Chinese culture. However, the relationship between China and Japan became increasingly tense due to the Shimabara Rebellion, leading to their relationship being severed at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

China’s interactions with Asia were important not only for their influence in East Asia but also in culture and trade. Zheng He’s voyages, the involvement of Jesuit missionaries, trade with Korea, Japan, and Java, and the severance of the relationship with Japan are all integral parts of China’s history.

Cutting Ties with the End of the 15th Century

At the end of the 15th century, relations between China and Europe were broken off. One important factor was the Ming Dynasty’s maritime prohibition policy, which banned overseas trade and immigration and restricted contact with the outside world. At the same time, Spain and Portugal colonized the Philippines and Malacca, changing trading routes with Asia. Additionally, the discovery of the New World by Columbus in 1492 transformed Europe’s trading routes. All of these factors greatly limited and ultimately severed the relationship between China and Europe. However, this relationship was not completely severed. China continued to receive European merchants and missionaries during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the mid-19th century, Britain invaded China and the First Opium War broke out, after which the relationship between China and Europe resumed. Thus, the relationship between China and Europe has changed many times throughout history. Both sides have had exchanges and exchanges of culture and technology in various periods. However, as time has passed, the form of exchange has changed. While relations were severed at the end of the 15th century, the influence of this relationship continues to this day.

Conclusion

Finally, the history is over! This was a guide for Western students to learn about Chinese history. It may be difficult to understand at first, but everything will come together with time. To understand the world, it is important to learn history. The history of humanity is an interconnection that connects all people on Earth, and that interconnection is our greatest asset.