Assess the influence of transport upon China’s economic and material life
(1577- 1880).
1) Circulation of commodities- developed china’s links with rich and poor
countries
Silver, rice, tea over boats
Good and bad impact- opium war, trade of silver for tea with British
Scrolls- tea stands thus links abroad, like Petition 11- links with
developing countries like Cuba- tea/sugar industry
2) Transport within the country, maintained China’s urban life
Interior market stable in the 18th century (scrolls show vibrant
trading life in china, people trading well on foot, using bridges,
setting up markets- debate the veracity of the scrolls, was it a real
city?)
Great Divergence- Stability in China and China’s limited access to
coal. Transport within China worked well, less need for innovation/
partaking in the industrial revolution. Also, limited economically
practical ways to transport coal -partly caused Great Divergence.
China’s economy did not modernize like the West’s.
China’s transport maintained economic and material life, but lack in
innovation in optimizing transport undermined china’s economic
life in the long term
3) Transport (transatlantic slavery/ indentured laborers) diminished
China’s pool of workers, conversely enhanced China’s economy
Petition 11- Chinese taken away to Cuba, fewer workers available in
China
Transatlantic slavery enhanced China’s economy. Coolies working in
Cuba grew sugar crops. Richer countries consumed sugar,
developed a taste for tea with sugar. Sugar economy grew,
furthered demand for China’s tea
(1577- 1880).
1) Circulation of commodities- developed china’s links with rich and poor
countries
Silver, rice, tea over boats
Good and bad impact- opium war, trade of silver for tea with British
Scrolls- tea stands thus links abroad, like Petition 11- links with
developing countries like Cuba- tea/sugar industry
2) Transport within the country, maintained China’s urban life
Interior market stable in the 18th century (scrolls show vibrant
trading life in china, people trading well on foot, using bridges,
setting up markets- debate the veracity of the scrolls, was it a real
city?)
Great Divergence- Stability in China and China’s limited access to
coal. Transport within China worked well, less need for innovation/
partaking in the industrial revolution. Also, limited economically
practical ways to transport coal -partly caused Great Divergence.
China’s economy did not modernize like the West’s.
China’s transport maintained economic and material life, but lack in
innovation in optimizing transport undermined china’s economic
life in the long term
3) Transport (transatlantic slavery/ indentured laborers) diminished
China’s pool of workers, conversely enhanced China’s economy
Petition 11- Chinese taken away to Cuba, fewer workers available in
China
Transatlantic slavery enhanced China’s economy. Coolies working in
Cuba grew sugar crops. Richer countries consumed sugar,
developed a taste for tea with sugar. Sugar economy grew,
furthered demand for China’s tea
