Merchant's Role in Ancient Chinese Society
Social structure was very important in Ancient China. The Chinese believe in strict social groups. This means that people behaved according to their social position, in order to maintain social order and discipline for a successful society.
The merchant class included traders, animal breeders and money lenders. Merchants were considered the lowest social class in Ancient China. People believed that they did not contribute to the good of the whole society but only worked for their own gain. Despite their low social status, some merchants became very wealthy and lived in luxury.
Merchants made their fortune with their scrupulousness, unsophisticated style and flexibility in catering to the demands of different clients. Throughout Ancient China merchants traded in valuable articles and sold commodities including land, jewellery, handicrafts, ceramics, precious stones, (eg. Jade etc.), metals (gold silver and iron), grain, tea, rice, silk, clothing, wool, cotton and fur, spice flavours and salt. Merchants had been known to set up trade activities without the knowledge of the nobles resulting in smuggling. The government looked down upon the merchants and tried to stop them from making big profits in times of shortages.
The merchants and traders of Ancient China usually travelled the Silk Road, a trade route from China to Eastern Europe. It was called the Silk Road because one of the major trading products was Chinese Silk. However they also traded other essential commodities.
The merchant class included traders, animal breeders and money lenders. Merchants were considered the lowest social class in Ancient China. People believed that they did not contribute to the good of the whole society but only worked for their own gain. Despite their low social status, some merchants became very wealthy and lived in luxury.
Merchants made their fortune with their scrupulousness, unsophisticated style and flexibility in catering to the demands of different clients. Throughout Ancient China merchants traded in valuable articles and sold commodities including land, jewellery, handicrafts, ceramics, precious stones, (eg. Jade etc.), metals (gold silver and iron), grain, tea, rice, silk, clothing, wool, cotton and fur, spice flavours and salt. Merchants had been known to set up trade activities without the knowledge of the nobles resulting in smuggling. The government looked down upon the merchants and tried to stop them from making big profits in times of shortages.
The merchants and traders of Ancient China usually travelled the Silk Road, a trade route from China to Eastern Europe. It was called the Silk Road because one of the major trading products was Chinese Silk. However they also traded other essential commodities.