Artisans and Merchants
In ancient China, artisans and merchants were considered to be a very minor part of China’s economy and were low down in the social hierarchy. This was because the artisans were thought to not be doing work useful to expanding the empire, and the merchants were not producing anything of their own.
Artisans were skilled workers who specialized in making products such as weapons, pottery and other items. The craft and know-how of each artisan’s skill was passed down from father to son. Many of the products the artisans created were objects that were used daily. Jade and bronze were two of the most important materials in China. The bronze was used to make the weapons used by the military. Some people even believed that jade had magical properties, and often used it for decorative purposes. Artisans also produced silk, an expensive fabric used for clothing. It was one of the biggest exports of ancient China. Because there was so much trade going on, a large trade route was created to connect China to Europe. It was called the Silk Road.
The merchants of China are now considered to have been one of the most vital positions and jobs in China. Unfortunately for the merchants, back then, they were considered one of the lowest social group, under peasants but above slaves. In addition to being looked down on because they were not producing items of their own, the higher classes and writers (who were leaving behind all the records we have) thought the merchants to be people who only cared about money and themselves. Merchants were not appreciated although they were an essential part of the Chinese economy. They helped expand the influence of the empire through trade.
Artisans were skilled workers who specialized in making products such as weapons, pottery and other items. The craft and know-how of each artisan’s skill was passed down from father to son. Many of the products the artisans created were objects that were used daily. Jade and bronze were two of the most important materials in China. The bronze was used to make the weapons used by the military. Some people even believed that jade had magical properties, and often used it for decorative purposes. Artisans also produced silk, an expensive fabric used for clothing. It was one of the biggest exports of ancient China. Because there was so much trade going on, a large trade route was created to connect China to Europe. It was called the Silk Road.
The merchants of China are now considered to have been one of the most vital positions and jobs in China. Unfortunately for the merchants, back then, they were considered one of the lowest social group, under peasants but above slaves. In addition to being looked down on because they were not producing items of their own, the higher classes and writers (who were leaving behind all the records we have) thought the merchants to be people who only cared about money and themselves. Merchants were not appreciated although they were an essential part of the Chinese economy. They helped expand the influence of the empire through trade.