Ming Dynasty Social Structure
Over hundreds of years, the Ming Dynasty social structure greatly evolved and was influenced by Confucianism. The Ming society was divided into four broad types of people: Nong, Shi, Gong and Shang.
The Shi
The Shi were also known as the gentry scholars. Initially, they came from the warrior caste. Over the years, the Shi slowly started to include aristocratic scholars and even educated bureaucracy. Access to books and knowledge was very limited and this meant a scholarly person was highly respected during this era.
The Gong
The Gong was the artisans and craftsmen. They had the skills to make objects of everyday use. They were the producers, much like farmers. But since they did not have any land, they never generated any revenue for the state.
These people had skills which they passed from one generation to another. They were generally more respected than the merchants. Some of them were very successful and even hired apprentices and laborers to increase their production.
The Nong
These were the peasant farmers and they were second to the Shi. The farmers were considered to be the producers of food which sustained the empire. They also contributed to state revenue by paying taxes. In a nation wracked by periodic famine, these farmers were seen as a very important and productive social class to the Ming Dynasty social structure.
The Shang
The Shang was the merchants and traders. They never produced anything and so they were looked down upon by society as people who lived off the labor of other hardworking people.
The Shang traded and transported food and goods made by the Gong and Nong. Most merchants bought more land to command more respect in this society. There was a popular belief that the merchants were only motivated by their greed and they never contributed to the greater good of the society. Later, commercialization increased and the wealthy merchants became part of the landholding gentry. Each and every class was entitled to different legal privileges.
Qing Dynasty Social Structure
The Qing Dynasty reign was strict about its social structure which dictated who has power over whom. This often led to abuses of power and plots to take down those who ruled over the people.
Emperor and His Advisors
The highest social ranking during the era of the Qing Dynasty was the emperor. Emperors could have multiple wives and they typically spent more time with their favorite ones. They also had a group of advisors with whom they typically discussed important issues and decisions.
The advisors were next in line in the Qing social structure. This particular class was superior to nobles, soldiers, and officials. They could also assume the emperor role in his absence. But being so close to the top of the command chain also led to abuses and plots to take down the emperor.
Generals, Nobles, and Workers
The rest of the population was divided by their role in the society. Many parents tried to get their children the best education so they could become a scholar official, one of the most prosperous social rankings at that time. They were still lower in rank than nobles and generals, but it was the most accessible social status for an average citizen.
Artists and Peasants
Peasants were at the bottom of the hierarchy. All other ranks were above them and this social ranking also had the largest number of members. They would often become the subject of abuse and violence of the government officials and soldiers.
Artists were more fortunate as they were highly respected by society during the Qing Dynasty. Nobles would often be seen enjoying the company of artists or pay for their services.
Slaves and Servitude
The common trait of all these social classes was servitude. Each social rank would have to serve and respect the ones above it with the emperor at the top of the chain. Rich families often had slaves and the wealthiest ones had slaves who in turn had their own slaves. During that time, having slaves was seen as an important avenue for social advancement.