Question

Chinese and Japanese attempted to limit merchants after the 1500s. Why did they do this?

a) To promote cultural exchange
b) To encourage economic growth
c) To control foreign influence and maintain social order
d) To expand trade opportunities

Answer 1

The Chinese and Japanese limited merchants after the 1500s in order to control foreign influence and maintain social order. They implemented isolationist policies to protect their own cultural identity and political stability. Despite their efforts, smuggling and illegal trade still occurred. Correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Chinese and Japanese attempted to limit merchants after the 1500s in order to control foreign influence and maintain social order. Both countries implemented isolationist policies to prevent the spread of foreign ideas and protect their own cultural identity and political stability. China limited trade to tribute goods and closed ports, while Japan restricted foreign trade through the establishment of a feudal system. Despite their efforts, smuggling and illegal trade still occurred, showing the difficulty of completely eliminating foreign influences.

Chinese and Japanese efforts to limit merchants after the 1500s focused on controlling foreign influence and maintaining social order, with both Ming and Qing China and Tokugawa Japan taking measures to manage trade and contact with outsiders.

The Chinese and Japanese attempted to limit merchants after the 1500s primarily to control foreign influence and maintain social order. Both Ming and Qing dynasty China and Tokugawa Japan had strong reasons for restricting foreign contacts and trade, such as protecting their traditional values against outside ideas, ensuring the supremacy of their ruling classes, and avoiding the potential destabilization that could come from too much foreign interaction.

China under the Hongwu emperor implemented policies to limit trade and contact with the outside world after the Mongol occupation. Later, the Qing dynasty continued policies like the Canton System to regulate trade and limit foreign influence. Japan also took similar actions under the Tokugawa shogunate, further exemplifying a period of isolation that characterized the region in response to the expansion of European powers and trade ambitions. The measures taken were partially successful in controlling influence and trade, although over time, external pressures and internal needs led to the gradual opening of these nations to foreign trade and influence.