Question

early qing dynasty saq
\...china at the height of the qing was a state that exerted a remarkable gravitational pull. within the asian region, the qing’s hard and soft power kept all of its immediate neighbors solidly within its orbit, and the lure of the china market had long since drawn western merchants into asian waters. we cannot fault qianlong too much for being full of himself, nor can we reasonably expect him to have been able to predict that the great britain that came begging for concessions in 1793 would emerge from the napoleonic wars fundamentally transformed and capable of projecting the military and economic power that would so weaken the qing’s gravitational pull...\
source: andrew wilson in \china’s early encounters with the west, history in reverse\ in 2008
c) explain one specific historical example of another state or empire that exerted global economic influence in the period 1450 - 1750 ce. (skill #5, 3 - 4 sentences)
a) identify and explain one specific historical example that would support wilson’s assessment of the qing dynasty’s importance prior to 1800. (skill #3, 3 - 4 sentences)

Explanation:

Part a)

To support Wilson’s assessment of the Qing’s gravitational pull (influence) before 1800, we can use the Ming-Qing transition (though the Qing established control, the earlier Ming’s legacy and Qing’s consolidation show regional dominance). However, a better example is the Qing’s control over Tibet (1720s - 1750s). The Qing exerted both hard (military) and soft (cultural, administrative) power: they established the Gold and Silver Seal System and the Resident Commissioner (Ambans) in Tibet, integrating it into their orbit. This kept Tibet solidly within Qing influence, similar to how Wilson describes the Qing’s hold on neighbors. The economic aspect: Tibet’s trade (e.g., tea - horse trade) was directed toward China, drawing it into the Qing’s economic sphere, like Western merchants were drawn to China. This shows the Qing’s gravitational pull (both political and economic) over a neighboring region, supporting Wilson’s claim.

We need a state/empire from 1450 - 1750 with global economic influence. The Mughal Empire (India, 1526 - 1707) is a strong example. The Mughals had a thriving economy: they controlled trade routes (e.g., Indian Ocean trade) and produced luxury goods like textiles (calico, muslin) and spices. Their economic influence was global: European powers (Portugal, Britain, France) established trading posts (e.g., British East India Company in Surat) to access Mughal goods. The Mughal - European trade (e.g., exporting textiles to Europe) boosted global commerce, and the empire’s wealth (from land revenue, trade) influenced global economic flows. Another example: the Ottoman Empire (1453 - 1750). The Ottomans controlled the Silk Road’s western end, taxed trade, and had a vibrant economy with goods like spices, textiles, and agricultural products. Their control of trade routes (e.g., between Europe and Asia) influenced global trade patterns, and their economic policies (e.g., tax on trade) affected European economies, leading to European efforts to find new trade routes (indirectly spurring the Age of Exploration). Let's use the Mughal Empire for clarity.

Answer:

One example is the Qing Dynasty’s integration of Tibet (1720s–1750s). The Qing used military force (hard power) to establish control and administrative measures like appointing Ambans (Resident Commissioners) and the Gold - Silver Seal System (soft power) to solidify rule. Economically, the tea - horse trade and other commercial ties tied Tibet’s economy to China’s, drawing Tibet into the Qing’s “orbit” as Wilson describes. This shows the Qing’s gravitational pull over a neighbor, supporting his assessment.

Part c)