Ming immigrants in the United States

When Zheng He went to the Western Ocean in the Ming Dynasty, the fleet of 20,000 people had the power to destroy many Southeast Asian countries. However, the strong military strength and the self-sufficient material conditions of the fleet did not promote the development of a large number of colonies. Zheng He handled the relationship with the local kings in a completely different, ancient and China way.

The establishment of a large number of tributary countries and the establishment of diplomatic relations between friendly countries replaced armed colonization, while the American colonization caused by Columbus' geographical discovery brought great wealth to the leap of western politics, military affairs and science and technology. Ming's decolonization policy is even regarded as a turning point in the transformation of the superior and inferior situations of the East and the West in history. So why didn't the Ming Dynasty establish a colonial system?

In fact, when we turn a page in history, we can see that the colony is a unique territorial requirement of the western capitalist society, which is caused by the need of the mercantilist society to control resources and markets. The Ming Dynasty was a feudal dynasty that traditionally attached importance to agriculture, and the expansion of its territory was also under the jurisdiction of traditional garrisons and officials.

China people's confidence in their sense of superiority has led people to regard other areas as wild places. In the ancient culture of China, people who have left their hometown really can't stand on their feet, and they can't return to their roots when they die thousands of miles away. It is simply a prison sentence of exile, which is out of tune with the ancient culture of China.

In the administrative system, the jurisdiction of the colony is thousands of miles away, and its concept conflicts with centralization, which leads to China's failure to open up to the outside world.

1. The root of the colony is the control of resources and markets.

1. The importance of groups in the western social system

The source power of western geographical discovery is the acquisition of resources, mainly focusing on the acquisition of spices and silk. Kyle Poirot and other western travelers recorded the wealth and resources of the East, which made the western world isolated from the Ottoman Turkish Empire eager to obtain the resources it needed, which were almost equal to the value of gold.

The plundering of South America by the Inca Empire led to the prosperity of Spain. Capitalism is in its infancy, and a large number of textiles are overproduced, which requires a bigger market. The concept of colonial institutions is completely the embodiment of the western concept of business first. Except Russia, Britain and France, other countries are only interested in key hub territories, which is also because colonization is limited by population and scientific and technological level.

2. Colonies cannot be located in China's agriculture-based society.

For China, commercial interests have never been the priority of national interests. China's regime change is a struggle for heaven. Jiuding established the basic dish of China a long time ago. China has a vast territory, and many places have the potential to continue reclamation in the Ming Dynasty. In terms of land and grain production, China has no intention to colonize, and the logistics cost greatly exceeds the grain itself. It is absurd to colonize from the perspective of agriculture.

If the Song Dynasty can survive, I think it is possible to establish a colony in his style, if the pursuit of commercial interests is above the Confucian rules. China does have a colonial setting, and the vassal states such as Ryukyu, Annan and Korea can also be regarded as the existence of resource points and markets controlled by the central dynasty.

However, mass migration is almost impossible. In Asia, this means war. The war between Manchu, Qing and Ming Dynasties against Myanmar and Vietnam was by no means for colonization. It is because of national dignity and other more illusory reasons. This is the political style of China in ancient times. He is in sharp contrast with the western society which is too pragmatic.

3. Political factors of Zheng He's voyage to the West

The most fundamental reason for Zheng He's voyage to the West is probably the rumor that Emperor Wen Jian lived in Southeast Asia. After all, Li Jun in the Water Margin has a legend of expanding territory in Southeast Asia. In fact, since the Song Dynasty, although there was no state behavior, private commercial activities still allowed Chinese businessmen to control the trade of major commodities in Southeast Asia.

Porcelain and tea became luxuries in the Song Dynasty, and were regarded as luxuries by local rulers, which were important sources of profits for Chinese businessmen. It can be said that from the folk point of view, considering the superior position of Chinese in local commercial activities, there are some seeds of colonization, but without the intervention of state power and the protection of military forces, it can not be regarded as a complete colonial prototype.

2. China culture attaches great importance to homeland.

1. Hometown plays an important role in China culture.

Unlike the West, which cares more about commercial interests, the meaning of hometown is extremely important in China culture. In the guild halls of the Qing Dynasty, villagers set up cemeteries to appease the souls of homeless people. At the last moment of their lives, many people look for high-priced means of transportation to return home, hoping to walk the last paragraph of their lives in the air of their hometown.

This is an important existence in China culture. It is not said that the ancients left their homes unless they had to. Confucian teachings such as parents' presence and not traveling far bound people's adventurous spirit. Even in officialdom, a large number of territories in the southwest and northwest were arranged to be dismissed from office. By the middle of the Qing Dynasty, county magistrates in Yunnan and other places were even more reluctant to leave their posts, and some preferred to resign.

Exile was the punishment second only to beheading in ancient times, but isn't it the biggest punishment to spend the rest of your life in a colony farther away than the exile, or to let your children and grandchildren spend the rest of their lives there? How can such an environment produce a colonial wave?

2. China's cultural self-confidence and belief in itself.

At the moment when the western world is advancing by leaps and bounds, the rulers of the Qing Dynasty still have a strong sense of national pride. In their view, the west is nothing but some excellent gadgets. The so-called strange skills and cunning, and the Qing Dynasty was beaten again, is just shouting that only ships are strong and guns are profitable.

Our nation is proud to be in the center of the world, and there are no obvious shortcomings in products. The superior environment has caused the lack of expansion motivation. Our nation has expanded its self-belief to the extreme within the scope permitted by geographical conditions. We don't need any colonies, and religion is also an important factor in the operation of western colonies. In Christian doctrine, it is the responsibility stipulated in the doctrine to influence people who do not believe in Christ to become Christians.

Most of the strongest colonists in western colonies and the bravest colonists who dared to go deep into strange areas were priests with strong religious complex. They do have a common plot, and they are responsible for conveying God's will to the barbarians. This sense of religious responsibility is an important factor for immigrants to pursue inner stability in the early colonial period.

The Spanish called the Virgin Mary, and the English Protestants called Christ for killing countless Incas and Indians. This is a skill that our nation does not have. Ming people will not shout the slogan "Long live Confucius and Long live my emperor" to slaughter the semi-civilized peoples in the forests of Southeast Asia.

Ocean people are indeed more adventurous and pioneering.

From the Vikings to the Angles, these peoples who can find the sea route of war in the harsh sea conditions of the North Atlantic have been pursuing adventure all their lives, which is determined by their national culture. Odin will never give up his Varhala Palace to the soldiers who are expanding the territory.

The early Spaniards, Portuguese and Italians were indeed more adventurous, and this national character cannot be clearly stated in a few words. After all, except for European colonists, no other civilizations in Eurasia have a history of large-scale colonial construction. Of course, the Arabs did plunder a large number of slaves on the African coast.

Since the Song Dynasty, Chinese civilization has become more and more conservative in style. The heroism in Han and Tang dynasties was limited by technical force, and the exploration in Ming and Qing dynasties was suppressed by politics.

Three. Centralization and feudalism

1. Fragmented feudal west

For a large number of successful colonists in South America, the Spanish royal family did not skimp on titles. These conquerors, many of whom were soldiers of fortune and prodigals, became marquis and duke. The fragmented feudal system in the west is used to enfeoffment. As long as it can bring profits to the royal family, the colonists have no political obstacles or even great encouragement.

Colony, commercial interests and enfeoffment supported each other and formed a reasonable political structure. After success, the colonists can choose to stay in the colony, or they can return to their motherland with great wealth to accept the title. This perfect reward, similar to Qin's military achievements, made brave young people who had no future in their own country flock to the colonies.

2. The potential threat of centralization

How should a dynasty like Ming define a colonial governor? Seal the king, just kidding, the princes of the Ming Dynasty fought with each other. What about big officials and small officials? How do officials accept supervision?

Family members stay in the mainland, and it is estimated that no one wants to go, and family members take them away. Want to stand on your own feet, is it not a thorn in the heart of the central dynasty? The central government in Ming and Qing Dynasties did not leave a blank political position for the colonies. He is not a shortcut to being an official, but a threat to the central government.

Conclusion:

Colonies are the first line of defense for commercial western countries to seize resources and compete for markets. In terms of national policies and economic interests, the western world is full of power to establish colonies, and the national character of the maritime people and the sense of responsibility of the church for missionary work make it the most interesting thing for these countries to stand in strange places.

The colonists received generous political treatment and became knights from Ding Bai. The economic returns are even more amazing. After paying huge protection fees to the royal family, they still have a large surplus. In the traditional political concept, the Central Plains dynasty like Ming paid more attention to agricultural stability, but had little interest in the colonies arising from the supremacy of commercial interests.

In fact, the country is vast and rich in resources, which has also created national pride to a certain extent. The overwhelming advantage of civilization over the surrounding areas makes the government have no desire to expand the barbarian land, and China's philosophy, Confucianism and Taoism have no strong desire to preach. Centralization could not reasonably arrange unsupervised officials thousands of miles away, so the Ming Dynasty naturally lacked interest in colonies.