How do we create our world? How do we create our world? Globalization Beta: The role of Islamic and Chinese Globalization Beta: The role of Islamic and Chinese

empires in growing the roots of globalizationempires in growing the roots of globalization

Created with support from Michigan State University Asian Studies Center, Michigan Geographic Alliance,

and use of the IB MYP humanities framework

Emily Oberlitner, IB Coordinator, Lansing Eastern High School

Matthew M. Jason, Teacher, Lansing Eastern High School

Understanding our modern “global” Understanding our modern “global” world world

► Globalization has brought Globalization has brought humans across the world humans across the world together in many new together in many new and unexpected ways.and unexpected ways.

► In order to get along with In order to get along with different cultures it is different cultures it is important to understand important to understand the roots of our present the roots of our present circumstancecircumstance

► How do we help our How do we help our students do this?students do this?

How do we define How do we define globalizationglobalization??

► Only popularly used since the late 1980s, Only popularly used since the late 1980s, early 1990s.early 1990s.

► Focus on global institutions like Focus on global institutions like multinational corporations, World Bank, multinational corporations, World Bank, IMF, United Nations.IMF, United Nations.

► In secondary history courses it is largely In secondary history courses it is largely Euro-centric, with an origin in the Euro-centric, with an origin in the European Age of Exploration (i.e. European Age of Exploration (i.e. Columbus, da Gama).Columbus, da Gama).

► However, these origins were not, in However, these origins were not, in reality, a one-way process. Much of the reality, a one-way process. Much of the impetus came from Asia, which continues impetus came from Asia, which continues to be central to globalization today.to be central to globalization today.

Globalization: Historical ContextGlobalization: Historical Context

► Rooted in an age of intercontinental Rooted in an age of intercontinental empires like:empires like: RomansRomans PersiansPersians MongolsMongols ChineseChinese ArabsArabs

11stst Century CE, Trans-Asia Trade Century CE, Trans-Asia Trade-Based on writings of Ptolemy, 150 CE-Based on writings of Ptolemy, 150 CE

www.wikipedia.org

Silk Road(s) ContextSilk Road(s) Context

►11stst century BCE – 14 century BCE – 14thth century CE century CE►Dominated by Chinese goods and South Dominated by Chinese goods and South

West Asian nomadic traders.West Asian nomadic traders.►After death of Muhammad (7After death of Muhammad (7thth C.), C.),

acted as conduit for Islam into Central acted as conduit for Islam into Central and South East Asia.and South East Asia.

►Simultaneously, ocean routes directly Simultaneously, ocean routes directly connected East Africa and Arabian connected East Africa and Arabian Peninsula to China.Peninsula to China.

Muslims, Arabs, & Chinese Muslims, Arabs, & Chinese TodayToday

►Often Often misrepresented misrepresented and misunderstood and misunderstood in our highly in our highly competitive global competitive global economyeconomy

►Viewed as the Viewed as the “other” in media, “other” in media, particularly post-particularly post-9/119/11

How do we approach such How do we approach such complexity?complexity?

►Try and avoid the influence of Try and avoid the influence of stereotypes and misconceptions stereotypes and misconceptions

►Give students case studies to Give students case studies to investigate, particularly those that investigate, particularly those that humanize the subjects and help build humanize the subjects and help build connections across culturesconnections across cultures

►Use and create biographies! Use and create biographies!

Unit FocusUnit Focus

► Islamic Caliphates, 7Islamic Caliphates, 7thth – 13 – 13thth centuries centuries► Dynastic China (Tang, Song, and early Dynastic China (Tang, Song, and early

Ming), 7Ming), 7thth – 17 – 17thth centuries centuries

► These were characterized by:These were characterized by: Curiosity about the world beyond their bordersCuriosity about the world beyond their borders Long distance tradeLong distance trade Support for learning and technological Support for learning and technological

innovationinnovation

Succession of Caliphates after Muhammad’s Succession of Caliphates after Muhammad’s DeathDeath

•632 CE to largest extent in 850 CE•Abbasid Caliphate existed from 750 – 1258 CE•Influential during “Golden Age of Islam”

““Paper Bag” Biographical Sketches of Paper Bag” Biographical Sketches of Muslim ScholarsMuslim Scholars

► During “The Golden Age of Islam” there During “The Golden Age of Islam” there were dozens of scholars from Andalusia to were dozens of scholars from Andalusia to Afghanistan that contributed to the arts Afghanistan that contributed to the arts and sciences.and sciences.

► Have your students research an individual Have your students research an individual and then teach the class in some form.and then teach the class in some form.

Biographical Sketches of Muslim Biographical Sketches of Muslim ScholarsScholars

►Describe the scholar’s background Describe the scholar’s background ►How did this person contribute to their How did this person contribute to their

own society and contemporary world?own society and contemporary world?►What is this person’s impact on the What is this person’s impact on the

world today?world today?►Create a visual symbol or illustration Create a visual symbol or illustration

that represents this person and/or that represents this person and/or their ideas.their ideas.

Biographical Sketches of Muslim ScholarsBiographical Sketches of Muslim Scholars

►What can be said about these What can be said about these thinkers?thinkers?

►What do the words “Muslim” and What do the words “Muslim” and “Arab” mean in the context of these “Arab” mean in the context of these peoples’ lives?peoples’ lives?

►What can we learn about the What can we learn about the connections between “our” world and connections between “our” world and the lives of Ibn Rushd and Ibn Sina? the lives of Ibn Rushd and Ibn Sina?

Chinese Dynasties & Chinese Dynasties & TimeframesTimeframes

►Tang: 618 – 907 CE Tang: 618 – 907 CE ►Five Dynasties and Ten KingdomsFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms►Song: 960 – 1279 CE Song: 960 – 1279 CE ►Yuan: 1279 – 1368 CE (Mongol)Yuan: 1279 – 1368 CE (Mongol)►Ming: 1368 – 1644 CE Ming: 1368 – 1644 CE ►Qing: 1644 – 1911 CE (Manchu)Qing: 1644 – 1911 CE (Manchu)

►Abbasid Caliphate: 750 – 1258 CEAbbasid Caliphate: 750 – 1258 CE

World Wealth, 1500World Wealth, 1500

worldmapper.org

The world in Tang China...The world in Tang China...

► By 8th century, over 200,000 Persians, Arabs, Indians, Malays lived in coastal Chinese cities (mostly Guangzhou [Canton]).

► Said Ibn Abi Waqqas, companion of Muhammad, traveled to China by end of 7th century, established Huaiseng Mosque in Guangzhou.

The world in Tang China...The world in Tang China...

►Guangzhou bustling port and place of Guangzhou bustling port and place of residence for foreign-born.residence for foreign-born.

►758 CE: A “rebellion” occurred in which 758 CE: A “rebellion” occurred in which large sections of the city burned, city large sections of the city burned, city closed for 5 decades to foreign closed for 5 decades to foreign residents.residents.

►878 CE: Huang Cho rebellion, records 878 CE: Huang Cho rebellion, records indicated up to 120,000 Jews, Christians, indicated up to 120,000 Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Magians killed.Muslims, and Magians killed.

The world in Tang China...The world in Tang China...

►Guangzhou bustling port and place of Guangzhou bustling port and place of residence for foreign-born.residence for foreign-born.

►758 CE: A “rebellion” occurred in which 758 CE: A “rebellion” occurred in which large sections of the city burned, city large sections of the city burned, city closed for 5 decades to foreign closed for 5 decades to foreign residents.residents.

►878 CE: Huang Cho rebellion, records 878 CE: Huang Cho rebellion, records indicated up to 120,000 Jews, Christians, indicated up to 120,000 Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Magians killed.Muslims, and Magians killed.

The world in Tang China...The world in Tang China...►Foreign goods, particularly those of Foreign goods, particularly those of

Central Asia, highly prized by the elite.Central Asia, highly prized by the elite.►Elements of Mediterranean cultures had Elements of Mediterranean cultures had

made their way into Chinese society, made their way into Chinese society, particularly pottery motifs, legends, and particularly pottery motifs, legends, and religious imagery.religious imagery.

►A complex tribute system existed to A complex tribute system existed to maintain good relations between the maintain good relations between the Emperor and foreign nations to facilitate Emperor and foreign nations to facilitate trade and harmonious relations.trade and harmonious relations.

“Camel Rider” ceramic

Tang China in the World...Tang China in the World...

►Geographer Jia Dan, late 8Geographer Jia Dan, late 8thth C. writes C. writes that that junkjunk had to anchor in mouth of had to anchor in mouth of Euphrates to transfer goods to Baghdad.Euphrates to transfer goods to Baghdad.

►Confirmed by contemporary Arab Confirmed by contemporary Arab merchant Shulama.merchant Shulama.

►Chinese paper makers captured by Chinese paper makers captured by Abbasid soldiers @ Battle of Talas, 751 Abbasid soldiers @ Battle of Talas, 751 CE led to changes in paper technology CE led to changes in paper technology throughout SE Asia.throughout SE Asia.

Battle of Talas

Arabic language map of SE Asia

Expansion during Tang Dynasty

Case Study: Case Study: Belitung Shipwreck Shipwreck► Arab Arab dhowdhow, c. 826, , c. 826,

found late 1990s.found late 1990s.► Over 60,000 pieces, Over 60,000 pieces,

including gold, silver, including gold, silver, fine porcelain, many fine porcelain, many mass produced ceramics mass produced ceramics (urns, ink pots).(urns, ink pots).

► Pieces inscribed with Pieces inscribed with “salaam” and other “salaam” and other Arabic phrases.Arabic phrases.

► Places regular Arab-Places regular Arab-Chinese trade centuries Chinese trade centuries earlier than thought.earlier than thought.

Belitung PiecesBelitung Pieces

Blue and white ware. Changsha bowl with Arabic inscription.

What can we learn from the What can we learn from the Belitung Wreck?Belitung Wreck?

►What can we learn from the kinds of What can we learn from the kinds of artifacts found?artifacts found?

►What can we infer about the sea trade that What can we infer about the sea trade that took place during the time of the Silk took place during the time of the Silk Roads?Roads?

►What does the evidence of this wreck say What does the evidence of this wreck say about the state of global trade, some 700 about the state of global trade, some 700 years before the time of Columbus?years before the time of Columbus?

►BBC Article, , images from Singapore from Singapore collection.collection.

Song Dynasty, 960 – 1279 CESong Dynasty, 960 – 1279 CE►Peak of technological innovation.Peak of technological innovation.►Creation of technologies integral to Creation of technologies integral to

today's world:today's world: Explosive powderExplosive powder Printing pressPrinting press Paper currencyPaper currency CompassCompass

►Ends with Mongol conquest of China.Ends with Mongol conquest of China.

Teaching about the Teaching about the Innovations of Song China Innovations of Song China

►Have students teach each other.Have students teach each other.►Students focus on a particular Students focus on a particular

technology, do the research, and post technology, do the research, and post their findings, with an artifact.their findings, with an artifact.

►Requires decoding visual and written Requires decoding visual and written texts, summarizing and synthesizing.texts, summarizing and synthesizing.

►Using the web to display and view Using the web to display and view student work enhances student student work enhances student engagement. engagement.

Using Artifacts

►Focused, sustained study on some Focused, sustained study on some “thing” from the period studied.“thing” from the period studied.

►Helps students build their historical Helps students build their historical imagination, visualize the content they imagination, visualize the content they are learning.are learning.

►Students studying student work is fun, Students studying student work is fun, and encourages thinking about how and encourages thinking about how they think (metacognition).they think (metacognition).

Ming Dynasty: 1368 – 1644Ming Dynasty: 1368 – 1644► Long period of stable rule.Long period of stable rule.► Military, naval growth, as well as Military, naval growth, as well as

infrastructure.infrastructure.► Signs of a market economy, with currency Signs of a market economy, with currency

as central element.as central element.► Extensive private industry, high output.Extensive private industry, high output.► Considerable trade with Americas, via Considerable trade with Americas, via

Spanish (silver and sweet potatoes!)Spanish (silver and sweet potatoes!)► Over 30% of world's GDP, perhaps as much Over 30% of world's GDP, perhaps as much

as 40% of the world's silver.as 40% of the world's silver.

Zheng He and the Influence of Ming Zheng He and the Influence of Ming ChinaChina

► Look over your biography on Zheng HeLook over your biography on Zheng He► What can we learn about Zheng He, the What can we learn about Zheng He, the

person?person?► From the story of Zheng He, what can we From the story of Zheng He, what can we

learn about Ming China?learn about Ming China?

Admiral Zheng HeAdmiral Zheng He

►1371 – 1433 CE►Ethnic Hui, eunuch advisor to Yongle

Emperor.►Descendant of Yunnan governor, Uzbek

origins.► 7 voyages, as far as East Africa, Persian

Gulf.►1405 expedition consisted of 27,800 men,

62 treasure ships supported by approximately 190 smaller ships, including:

Equine ships, water tankers, troop transports

►Credited with founding Chinese community in SE Asia and re-popularizing Islam

►Arab sources corroborate Zheng's own records.

Ships from Zheng He’s fleet, c. 1400.

Models comparing the ships of Zheng He and Christopher Columbus, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai.

Ramifications of Zheng HeRamifications of Zheng He►Ming China was multicultural, as had Ming China was multicultural, as had

China been, for centuries.China been, for centuries.►China's reach was wide-ranging, China's reach was wide-ranging,

possibly to Atlantic and Mediterranean.possibly to Atlantic and Mediterranean.►Voyages part of a larger tribute system Voyages part of a larger tribute system

of building ties to emperor, not colonial.of building ties to emperor, not colonial.►China was open, and not isolationist as China was open, and not isolationist as

often suggested.often suggested.

Other ways to explore Ming Other ways to explore Ming ChinaChina

►New capital in BeijingNew capital in Beijing►Forbidden CityForbidden City►Great WallGreat Wall►Grand CanalGrand Canal

Contributions to the European Contributions to the European Age of ExplorationAge of Exploration

► Mounted rudder, China via Arabia.

► Astrolabe, Arabia.

► Compass, China.► qarib – Arab

model for European caravel

From left to right: Chinese junk, Arab dhow, Portuguese caravel.

Lessons for the PresentLessons for the Present

►Globalization has deep roots.Globalization has deep roots.►The history of Chinese relations is more The history of Chinese relations is more

significant than its “isolated” geography.significant than its “isolated” geography.►Western stereotypes of Arabs, Muslims, and Western stereotypes of Arabs, Muslims, and

the Chinese come from recent periods like the Chinese come from recent periods like “The War on Terror,” Cold War, and rule of “The War on Terror,” Cold War, and rule of Mao.Mao.

►Less thinking of “East” and “West” and Less thinking of “East” and “West” and more of a complex process we are more of a complex process we are continually learning more about.continually learning more about.