Tribute: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:56, 2 August 2005

Revision as of 01:59, 11 August 2005

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In [[China]] the tribute system began from the earliest days to provide both an administrative means to control vassals, as well as a means for which to provide exclusive trading rights to those who paid tribute from foreign regions. The process of tribute from a foreign nation to China allowed reciprocal trade under both imperial protection and imperial regulation, and barred entry into this trade by those who did not participate. It was an integral part of the [[Confucian]] philosophy and was seen as equivalent to the familial relation of younger sons looking after older parents by devoting part of their wealth, assets, or goods to that purpose. Political marriages also existed between the Chinese empire and tribute states, such as [[Songtsen Gampo]] and Wencheng (Gyasa). China often got tribute from the states under the influence of [[Confucian]] civilization and gave them Chinese products and recognition of their authority and sovereignty in return. Sometimes Chinese support were significant in local politics.

Chinese dynasties also paid tribute to other states for aid or peace. In the [[Han Dynasty]], [[Tang Dynasty]] and [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms]] period, the emperors paid tribute to get aid from [[Gokturks]], [[Xiongnu]] and the [[Khitan]] [[Liao Dynasty]] to conquer [[All under heaven]]. In the [[Song dynasty]], a tribute was given to the [[Jurchen]] [[Jin Dynasty]] for peace. The [[Qing dynasty]] signed many treaties including tribute conditions after many wars, such as the [[Opium War]]s, and the [[First Sino-Japanese War]].

In addition, the [[Zheng He]] expeditions also carried goods to build tribute relationships between the [[Ming dynasty]] and newly discovered kingdoms.

Tribute activities takesoccupy several chapters in the [[Twenty-Four Histories]].

==Western European notions of tribute in medieval times==