The widespread use of silver beginning in the 1570’s resulted in the increase of globalization through greater foreign trade. However, the use of silver as currency had negative as well as positive consequences. On one hand, through the use of silver in world trade, trading countries were connected through a common currency, and many were able to benefit their economies through the use of silver (documents 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8). On the other hand, the widespread use of silver also deepened the disparity between the rich and poor- not only within countries, but also globally (documents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8).
Documents 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 all accurately illustrate the economic benefit gained by many through the adoption of silver for currency. …show more content…
Document one was written by Ye Chunji, a county official, and wrote about the negative social effect of silver on people and how it develops greed and the need for more silver when it is unnecessary. As China was mainly Confucius, the emphasis was on living a simple life- something that silver blinded by instilling greed within men. Chinji wrote to warn people to cut back on wedding expenses and remind them of their beliefs, so needless to say, he is bias about the use of silver due to its effect on Chinese beliefs. A single system of belief is what held China together, and with the use of silver, that bond weakened. Chinji also emphasizes the difference between the “frugal man with only one bar of silver” and the “extravagant man with a thousand” bars of silver, which also references the increasing difference between the rich and poor in …show more content…
Since a court official wrote this to convince the emperor to spend more of his silver within the economy of China, it is biased, but most likely reflects the views of the general populace of China. Xijue not only includes his opinion, but also the opinions of “the venerable elders” of his home. Chinese culture was based on Confucianism, with one of the main teachings being to respect and listen to one’s elders, so we are able to assume that many throughout China saw the scarcity of silver as the problem. Xijue also implies the affluence of the emperor and the poverty of the people; this highlights the disparity deepened between the rich and the poor due to the use of silver- or the lack of
Documents 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 all accurately illustrate the economic benefit gained by many through the adoption of silver for currency. …show more content…
Document one was written by Ye Chunji, a county official, and wrote about the negative social effect of silver on people and how it develops greed and the need for more silver when it is unnecessary. As China was mainly Confucius, the emphasis was on living a simple life- something that silver blinded by instilling greed within men. Chinji wrote to warn people to cut back on wedding expenses and remind them of their beliefs, so needless to say, he is bias about the use of silver due to its effect on Chinese beliefs. A single system of belief is what held China together, and with the use of silver, that bond weakened. Chinji also emphasizes the difference between the “frugal man with only one bar of silver” and the “extravagant man with a thousand” bars of silver, which also references the increasing difference between the rich and poor in …show more content…
Since a court official wrote this to convince the emperor to spend more of his silver within the economy of China, it is biased, but most likely reflects the views of the general populace of China. Xijue not only includes his opinion, but also the opinions of “the venerable elders” of his home. Chinese culture was based on Confucianism, with one of the main teachings being to respect and listen to one’s elders, so we are able to assume that many throughout China saw the scarcity of silver as the problem. Xijue also implies the affluence of the emperor and the poverty of the people; this highlights the disparity deepened between the rich and the poor due to the use of silver- or the lack of