Varying Attitudes toward foreigners 16th-18th centuries

In an era of accelerating global interactions, how did people of different geographies,ethnicities and religions view each otherVarying Attitudes toward foreigners 16th-18th centuries

Historical contextThe Columbian Exchange led to the first cross hemispheric interaction between Afro-Eurasia and the AmericasSilver became the first global commodity which would involve all global regionsThe worldwide reach of Christianity would be the result of the Protestant reformation and the attempt for the Catholic church to extend its influence in all parts of the known worldSt Ignatius of Loyola established the Jesuit order to help the catholic church reform its former corrupt practices.China and Japans reaction were to limit contact with the outside world

ThesisFrom the 16th-18th centuries global trade and missionary exchange would see some favorable interaction for the purpose of exchanging technologies and ideas, some religious values were warmly embraced and appealing, however, many suspicions based on ethnocentrism and fear of traditionally accepted ideas would lead to increased xenophobia. A document from the Chinese Ming Emperor would help illustrate the official reaction to Jesuit missionaries

The global exchange in the 16th and 18th centuries led by Western powers for colonial exchanged, establishing a favorable balance of trade( mercantilism) and conversion of the new territories to Christianity would have both favorable interactions as well as xenophobic fear. A document from a convert to Christianity in one of these territories would help identify the massive appeal of the Christian missionaries.

Doc #1 Bartolome de las casas(social reformer and historianHere de las casas views the natives of the Americas as obedient and faithful and clean and intelligent and open toward the Catholic faith. The purpose of De las casas was to prevent the active slave trade of natives and convert the natives to Catholicism. His audience was the Pope and would successfully free the native American in what was known as the repartamiento. An additional document from a African slave to view the reaction of not being given the same view to identify the potential hypocracy of Las Casas or a native freed to identify just how much life had changed ( not much) now that they were freed. This may grouped by region, a positive view of foreigners or by source or cultural

Document #2 Spanish Jesuit in Japan ( one of the first)Cosme de TorresAs a Jesuit ( missionary group formed in response to the Protestant Reformation to rectify some problems within the faith) his purpose is to convert the Japanese who (although Shinto and Zen Buddhist traditionally) may be better disposed to embrace our holy faith, claims they wish to serve their creator to save their souls. The audience would probably be the pope or perhaps the leader of the Jesuits ( Ignatious of Loyola). An additional document from a Samurai practicing Zen Buddhism would address how this faith might be embraced ( it was by many Japanse as the Jesuits were very successful). It could be grouped by favorable interaction, by religious or by region.

Source:ToyotomiHideyoshi,Japanese Doc #3 Edict on the expulsion of foreign missionariesThe purpose of this edict ( official decree) is the expulsion of all foreigners ( especially the Christian missionaries) who were using their science and medicine to entice believers to destroy Buddhist temples and provide what he calls false teachings The audience would be the vassals of Japan who ( although not tolerant) should not make unreasonable claims perhaps to prevent retribution by the Catholic church. An additional document from recent Christian converts would gain a greater understanding as to the popularity of Christianity in Japan prior to the edict. This can be grouped as unfavorable, politically or by region.Its also important to note that Japan had been iaolated by this point anyway.

Document #4 Thomas Heriot,English mathematician,ethnologists 1590The purpose of this Report of the New Found Land of Virginia 1590 was to bring a colonial government to the indigenous populaton of Virginia who Heriot claims to be intelligent and excellence of wit even though they do not have the tools or ideas of the English settlers. The tone is very ethnocentric as he claims that these people can be brought to civility and embrace the true religion ( probably Anglican) and good government (their own). An additional document evaluating Chief Powhattans reaction to this religion, government and technology to see if they were as impressed as Heriot claims. This may be grouped favorably, ethnocentrically or by political and/or region

Document #5 Matteo Ricci Jesuit Missionary on ChinaThe purpose of Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci is to encourage diplomatic reltions between the Catholic Church and the Ming Dynasty for the purpose of converting the masses to Chistianity. Remember the Jesuits were formerd to reform the Catholic church and gain global converts. It is important to note that while the Chinese were viewed in this document as industrious ( hard-working) and had mechanical arts and trading items, the Jesuits helped in creating a more accurate calendar and received many converts in China. An additional document from a Chinese civil servant to help evaluate how neo-confucian values viewed thei religion and both its similarities and difference. This can be grouped culturally, favorablly, econmically or by China.

Document #6 John Mildenhall to Richard Straper on meeting with Mughal Emperor AkbarThe purpose of this letter would be to encourage trading relations bewteen England and the Mughal Empire ( leading exporter of cotton) He speaks favorably of Akbar ( his friend) and how Chrisians were viewed favorably in the court of the Mughal Empire. He even discusses that Akbar would not intefere in conflicts between Protestant England and Catholic Portugal over trading contacts in South Asia. An additional document from Akbar of the Mughal to identify how he might view a conflict bewteen two different Christian nations would provide a narrative where his search for religious tolerance favorably , economically or with the Mughal Empire ( South Asia)

Document #7 Xu Guangqi A Memorial in the Defense of Teaching, in response to an anti-Christian letter written to Emperor WanliThe purpose of this defense of Christianity was a reaction to the anti-Chrisian letter written to the Emperor Wanli about the success of Jesuit missionaries in the Ming Dynasty ( see doc #5 Matteo Ricci earlier in China). It discusses the virtues of missionaries being servants of the lord of Heaven, discipline and sage learning. This source attempts to reconcile the Neo-Confucian beliefs and those of the Catholic Missionaries. A document like the anti-Christian letter to the emperor would provide reasoning as to why Guangqi wrote this letter in the first place. This can be grouped politically, favorably or by China.

Document #8 Yang Guangxian, Chinese scholar and official, I Cannot Do Otherwise: denouncing ChristianitySometimes reading the source just gives the purpose and audience away. This document reflects the notable distinctions between Confucianism and Chritstianity which cannot be reconciled( Jesus plotted against his own country, problem with paternity, lack of ancestor worship, opposition to Buddhism and Taoism, and not recognizing 5 relationships). This arrant nonsense identifies distinct disagreements to the government for the purpose of doing what the Tokugawa Shogunate did and looks to expell the Jesuits. It is deeply suspicious and can be grouped politically, negatively/unfavorably or by China. An additional documents from the European monarchs to hear the reaction by some Chinese might provide some concerns about the safety of the French, Spanish or Portugese Jesuits had and the desire to establish trading ties regardless.The Ming Dynasty would fall eventually to outside Manchu invaders (Quing Dynasty) and the Jesuits would have favvorable relations ( 1649).

epilogueJesuits were so successful in their missionary enterprise, the Catholic church will ask them to come backMany of their ideas were embraced as their scientific knowledge helped China, Japan and the Americas with many new convertsIdeas Jesuits brought back may have contributed to the scientific revolution, enlightenment and age of revolutions.Deep suspicions, however, would lead to increasingly more isolationist policies.The first global colonial war ( 7 years war) will be fought over some of these colonial territories first established by the Christian missionaries( 1756-1763).