Patterns of Revolution in China

Patterns of Revolution in Money and Credit

Monetary revolution was caused by interdependence among Chinese states, and because salt and tea states used them as leverage for trade. Silver, gold, and valuable goods like silk, cowrie shells, and grains as currency, but by the seventh century, copper was the preferred currency because it was scarce, although iron and lead were also used as cheaper substitutes but in greater weights. By the ninth century, both currency and valuable goods were used together for trading and paying taxes. Taxes compelled even peasants to engage in trade in order to raise tax money. Paper money first appeared when notes were issued by shop owners to confirm that the bearer had deposited the stated sum of money with them for safe-keeping, at a small fee. People preferred to exchange the notes rather carry the heavy coins around. Then government took over the depository services, and printed low denomination notes, but reserved just enough coins for normal trade demands. During war, government printed excess money to pay soldiers, thus leading to inflation, which is what eventually killed currency in the fourteenth century.  

Patterns of Revolution in Farming

The china experienced agrarian revolution as early as the eighth century and government even used to publish agricultural manuals and send officers to educate farmers on good farming techniques. Revolution occurred in the method of land preparation where deep ploughing was found to improve soil nutrients. Instead of broadcasting seeds which was wasteful, seeds were carefully selected, planted in rows and weeding took place. Farmers learnt how to flatten the sloped land to enable irrigation. New irrigation techniques were developed which enabled pumping of water and double cropping per year. Fertilizer and lime were applied to crops, and rice was transplanted from a seedbed. Farmers were taught agribusiness and bookkeeping to help them raise money for taxes and trade in other provinces where they could fetch the highest prices.