China and Japan in the 18th Century Atlantic Global Integration
China and Japan experienced significant effects from the 18th-century Atlantic global integration. Trade grew, and the major global regions' demands for sugar, silver, silk, and cotton rose. There is no doubt that integration had a major impact, even in countries like China and Japan. Notably, it turned out that the expanding economic shifts had far-reaching effects.
Effects on China
Commodity surpluses and shortages affected global values, and Japan grew stronger as a result of the diversification of its economy brought about by trade. The collapse of the Ming and the rise of the Qing were the results of China's increasing wealth during the Atlantic global integration (English 21). Indeed, the continued social, economic, and autonomy changes that were rapidly occurring saw the collapse of the Ming Empire. Besides, the economy of China experienced quick growth that brought about economic challenges. The attractive developing opportunities in the Empire of China made the Japans plague the coastal regions (Gardner 12).
The market of silver import in China profoundly stimulated growth and development and hence increased revenues. The changes highly benefited the rich who got wealthier from the lucrative gains. However, the peasants significantly suffered as they struggled to pay taxes and cope with the rising cost of inflation in the country. The integration streamlined the expansion of trade under Ming Empire. Its economic activities thrived in the 18th century, and the tributary together with the expansion relations substantially extended the influence of China. The integration enabled merchants to foster excellent trading activities. The sheer size of China made it possible to handle the majority of trade, and the nation managed to remain stable despite the emergence of taxes. Notably, integration of the Atlantic world left China massively wealthy and stable even though it had experienced a huge dynastic transition that had occurred in the seventeenth century.
Effects on Japan
Bulliet et al. report that, despite the integration that gave rise to the external trading pressures, Japan was able to control foreigners and evaded western incursions (Bulliet et al.10). The approval of tax as a median of trade resulted in dramatic profits in Japan. Nevertheless, still, the enormous benefits that were reaped from the silver trade depicted to be beneficial to the development of Japan. For instance, the integration was an instrumental factor in the withdrawal of Japan from China's tributary system. Japan was able to attain Pax Tokugawa from Tokugawa, which is explained by the market-oriented reforms that were implemented effectively due to the integration in silver trade in China. Japan ended up operating under the "sakoku policy" which intensely prohibited an inclusion of foreign powers (Bulliet et al.17). The degree of impact on Japan made the nation divert efforts to agriculture. The other commodities produced by Japan were reported to be essential in contributing to the wealth of the country.
The Era of Atlantic World Integration in the 18th Century
The era of Atlantic world integration in the 18th century marked a period of commercial capitalism and a bridge to the late medieval era. The expansion of nations due to the integration saw the development of wealthy Japan and China. For example, Chinese Republic dominated the silver imports from where it made huge profits. Gardner states that "The market value of silver in the Ming territory was double its value elsewhere" (Gardner 34). China heavily depended on silver, and the ever-rising supply made the prices inflate, which impacted the deflation values and thus the collapse of the Ming dynasty and the rise of Qing.
Works Cited
Bulliet Richard, Pamela Crossley, Daniel Headrick, Steven Hirsch, Lyman Johnson. The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History. New York. Cengage Learning. 2014.
English, H. Edward. World Trade And Trade Policy. [Toronto], Published For The Private Planning Association Of Canada By University Of Toronto Press, 1968,.
Gardner, Jared. "Barbaric Traffic: Commerce And Antislavery In The Eighteenth-Century Atlantic World (Review)." Early American Literature, vol 40, no. 1, 2005, pp. 199-202. Johns Hopkins University Press, doi:10.1353/eal.2005.0019.
