A History of Late Ming: 1573-1644 (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Fan Shuzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: This book discusses the late Ming history, starting from the first year of the Wanli reign (1573) and ending in the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen reign (1644). Currently, there are works such as Tang Gang and Nan Bingwen's History of the Ming Dynasty, Mou Fuli (Frederick W. Mote) and Denis Twitchett's Cambridge History of China: The Ming Dynasty, Lynn H. Struve's History of the Southern Ming, and Gu Cheng's History of the Southern Ming. The first two Histories of the Ming Dynasty cover the entire Ming Dynasty, while the latter two Histories of the Southern Ming focus on the history of the Southern Ming court after the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen reign. However, there is a lack of specialized works on late Ming history. Therefore, the publication of this book is innovative.
A fresh perspective on late Ming history presented in this book lies in its connection with the world. The late Ming period, from the second half of the 16th century to the mid-17th century, was at the beginning stage of the "globalization" that followed the discovery of new maritime routes. During this period, China played a significant role in the global economy. In addition to traditional tributary trade with neighboring countries, distant European nations such as Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and their colonies in Asia and the Americas were all involved in long-distance trade with China, and without exception, they were in a trade deficit. A third or more of the world's silver production flowed continuously into China. On the other hand, the process of "globalization" after the Age of Discovery was also reflected culturally, with its main marker being the sending of missionaries to the world, including China, by the Church, such as the Jesuits. While preaching, they spread the science and culture of Europe since the Renaissance. Jesuits who entered China during the late Ming period influenced China's intellectual circles through Macao, a window for Sino-Western exchange.
The main feature of this book in narrating late Ming history lies in fully showcasing the structure and charm of narrative history. As late Ming China integrated economically and culturally into the world, a stagnant dynasty not only failed to seize the opportunity but also exacerbated its internal contradictions. Especially, the court was preoccupied with political factional struggles, with almost no period of peace from the Wanli to the Chongzhen reign. With detailed historical records and meticulous writing, the book recreates the entire process of the late Ming dynasty's decline under the dual pressures of internal turmoil and external threats, revealing profound lessons. Based on extensive absorption of academic research, the author presents original insights on a series of issues during the late Ming period, such as "Wokou" (Japanese pirates), "market towns," "new policies," and "factional struggles."