The Import And Export Of Metallic Commodities In The Ming Dynasty

The import and export of metallic commodities started as early as the Qin Dynasties. It became more and more important in the exchange between China and foreign countries. Metals such as copper and iron are important materials for making production tools. They act as the sign of the development of socialproduction force. The appearance and usage of metallic tools shows the rapid progress of production force, which means the special importance in the history of the development of human society. This thesis mainly deals with the import and export of several main metallic commodities in the Ming Dynasty. The main contents are shown in the following three aspects: Firstly, the policy of import and export of the Ming Dynasty; the foreign trade of gold, silver, copper and iron products under the policy of "tribute" (government trade) and its effect. Secondly, the "foreign trade forbidden" policy of the Ming Dynasty, the non-government foreign traders dealing with the metallic commodities and the effects on society. Thirdly, the trade of metallic commodities and the exchange of the related technology between China and the western countries after western colonialists coming to the east. The research work expresses the course of Chinese market becoming part of the world market in the Ming Dynasty, with the metallic commodity trade acting as the medium. It also expresses the effect on China and her trade-partners by the import and export of metallic commodities.Although, compared with the foreign trade of silk, porcelain, tea and other commodities, the share of metallic trade was very small, metallic trade had close relationship with the politics, economy and military affairs of the state, because precious metals such as gold and silver were medium of commercial exchange, and because copper and iron were important military stuff. Therefore, the research of import and export of metallic commodities in the Ming Dynasty is an important part in the study of foreign relationship and foreign exchange. The research of metallic trade with foreign countries is of academic and practical importance in extending the field of the study of the relationship with foreign countries, and also in expressing China' s effect on the development of Asia and the world.