The Early Modern Period, c. 1450 to c. 1750: 4.5: Land-Based Empires: Early Modern China and Russia (Sources 1–10)

Among the many reasons for this, foremost was the fact of rule by an avowedly non-Chinese house. (Source 2)

Among the many reasons for this, foremost was the fact of rule by an avowedly non-Chinese house. (Source 2)

Second was the tremendous imperialist expansion undertaken by the Qing, which more than doubled the Ming territory. (Source 2)

Russia’s eighteenth century was a century in motion: between 1646 and 1796, the Russian empire expanded from 14.1 million square kilometers to 16.6 million square kilometers, encompassing at the end over twenty-five different ethnicities. (Source 4)

Russia’s eighteenth century was a century in motion: between 1646 and 1796, the Russian empire expanded from 14.1 million square kilometers to 16.6 million square kilometers, encompassing at the end over twenty-five different ethnicities. (Source 4)

The courts of Renaissance Europe were hungry for the more exotic types of fur—marten, sable, ermine—which had long ago been exterminated farther west. (Source 8)

The courts of Renaissance Europe were hungry for the more exotic types of fur—marten, sable, ermine—which had long ago been exterminated farther west. (Source 8)

Bringing back a few samples of the right kind of pelt could set up a merchant for life. (Source 8)

The [Russian] state’s fur revenue tripled between 1589 and 1605, and had grown eightfold by the 1680s, at which stage it constituted a tenth of total revenues. (Source 8)

The prized animals were soon severely depleted by hunting, which helps to explain the rapidity with which the eastward movement took place. (Source 8)

In one sense, the colonization of Siberia was a kind of “fur fever,” analogous [similar] to the California gold rush of the mid-nineteenth century. (Source 8)

As for your request to send one of your citizens to be allowed to my Court to manage your country’s trade with China, this request is contrary to our rules and cannot possibly be entertained. (Source 9)

As for your request to send one of your citizens to be allowed to my Court to manage your country’s trade with China, this request is contrary to our rules and cannot possibly be entertained. (Source 9)

It is true that Europeans, in the service of the dynasty, have been permitted to live at Beijing, but they are compelled to adopt Chinese dress, they are strictly confined to their own precincts and are never permitted to return home. (Source 9)

It is true that Europeans, in the service of the dynasty, have been permitted to live at Beijing, but they are compelled to adopt Chinese dress, they are strictly confined to their own precincts and are never permitted to return home. (Source 9)

It is true that Europeans, in the service of the dynasty, have been permitted to live at Beijing, but they are compelled to adopt Chinese dress, they are strictly confined to their own precincts and are never permitted to return home. (Source 9)

You, O King, from afar have yearned after the blessings of our civilization. (Source 9)

Yesterday your Ambassador petitioned my Ministers to address me regarding your trade with China, but his proposal is not consistent with our dynasty’s policies and cannot be accepted. (Source 9)

Our Celestial Empire possesses all things in abundance and lacks no product within its borders. (Source 9)

I do not forget the lonely remoteness of your island, cut off from the world by intervening wastes of sea, nor do I overlook your excusable ignorance of the rules of our Celestial Empire. (Source 9)

I do not forget the lonely remoteness of your island, cut off from the world by intervening wastes of sea, nor do I overlook your excusable ignorance of the rules of our Celestial Empire. (Source 9)

I have consequently commanded my Ministers to educate your Ambassador on the subject, and have ordered the departure of your diplomats. (Source 9)

I was recommended to him as a person capable of serving him on several occasions, relating to his new designs of establishing a fleet, making his rivers navigable, etc. (Source 10)

Soon after my contract was made, I was sent directly to Moscow, with orders for my being immediately dispatched from there into the province of Astrakhan, about a thousand miles beyond Moscow. (Source 10)

Soon after my contract was made, I was sent directly to Moscow, with orders for my being immediately dispatched from there into the province of Astrakhan, about a thousand miles beyond Moscow. (Source 10)