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Why would China keep a monopoly on silk?

Why would China keep a monopoly on silk?

When the Chinese discovered the secret to creating silk, they held the monopoly on silk production worldwide. The industry was such a boon to Chinese trade that an imperial decree was issued which condemned to death anyone who attempted to sneak silkworms or eggs out of the empire.

What did ancient China create a government monopoly on?

salt
In ancient China the Emperor Wu instituted new vehicles for raising funds. He established government monopolies for the production and marketing of salt and iron. Previously these commodities had been produceeed and marketed by private industry.

How did the Chinese keep silk making a secret?

Nobles and kings of foreign lands desired silk and would pay high prices for the cloth. The emperors of China wanted to keep the process for making silk a secret. Anyone caught telling the secret or taking silkworms out of China was put to death. The Chinese managed to keep silk a secret for over 1000 years.

How was silk stolen from China?

In 552 AD, the two monks sought out Justinian I. In return for his generous but unknown promises, the monks agreed to acquire silk worms from China. They most likely traveled a northern route along the Black Sea, taking them through the Transcaucasus and the Caspian Sea.

How did silk worms leave China?

Silkworms were first brought from Asia to Byzantium around A.D. 550. Legend has it that two monks hid silkworm eggs inside a bamboo pole to smuggle them out of China, where they were guarded as closely as state secrets.

Who benefited the most from the Silk Road?

Everyone (East and West) benefited from the Silk Road. It opened up trade, communication, different ideas, culture, and religion to the entire world.

Does China make steel?

China produced a monthly record of 99.45 million tons of steel in May, though the number fell to 93.88 million tons in June, Reuters reported. The steel sector is one of the biggest polluters in China, producing around 10% to 20% of carbon emissions in the country.

How did Han rulers strengthen the economy and government of China?

How did early Han rulers strengthen the economy and government of China? Han could build work on the previous Qin plus the wars had swept all of China from traditions of the Zhou. Consolidation of empire, less hard punishments, lessened tax burden. People gave loyalty to Han since they denied the Qin.

Who produces the most silk today?

China
After the unwinding, the silk obtained are used to make silk. It takes around 2,500 silkworms to produce a pound of raw silk….World Leaders In Silk Production.

Rank Country Silk Production (in metric tonnes)
1 China 146,000
2 India 28,708
3 Uzbekistan 1,100
4 Thailand 692

Who first invented silk?

According to Chinese legend, Empress His Ling Shi was first person to discover silk as weavable fibre in the 27th century BC. Whilst sipping tea under a mulberry tree, a cocoon fell into her cup and began to unravel.

When were silk worms smuggled out of China?

A.D. 550
Silkworms were first brought from Asia to Byzantium around A.D. 550. Legend has it that two monks hid silkworm eggs inside a bamboo pole to smuggle them out of China, where they were guarded as closely as state secrets.

What was the greatest impact on the Silk Road?

The greatest impact of the Silk Road was that while it allowed luxury goods like silk, porcelain, and silver to travel from one end of the Silk Road…

What did the monopolies in ancient China do?

Emperors later expanded the system to monopolize copper, bronze, all money production, and elements of the liquor trade. Prices soared alongside government revenues, prompting popular outrage and reformist desires to abolish the monopolies.

What was the purpose of merchants in ancient China?

The purpose of merchants is circulation and the purpose of artisans is making tools. These matters should not become a major concern of the government. The Minister, refusing to yield the trade issue, maintained that China’s endlessly lucrative access to luxury goods depended upon state‐​run internal improvements projects.

Why did the Confucians oppose the monopoly of business?

The Confucians argued that government sponsorship of business enterprises created a moral hazard, positively encouraging immoral behavior and distorting individuals’ decision‐​making processes. Without the unnatural, state‐​driven development of production and distribution, individuals remained content with their position in the world. Therefore,

How did the Roman Empire establish its monopoly system?

The architects of the new monopoly system erected dozens of iron foundries and salt mines outfitted with the latest technological wonders. Emperors later expanded the system to monopolize copper, bronze, all money production, and elements of the liquor trade.