Ming Dynasty

Population and Agriculture

1500s, new crops like corn, sweet potatoes from America's reached China These crops further increased farm output Stability, plentiful food led to substantial population growth

The Yongle Emperor

3rd Emperor of Ming China Wanted to expand influence of China Anti-Mongol Yongle moved capital of China to Beijing

Zheng He and his Voyages

A eunuch and servant to the emperor Became one of the most trusted advisors Ships had 400 foot-long decks with 9 masts Dominated the Indian Ocean Traded with the Eastern coast of Africa, Arab and Chinese trade routes, and the Red Sea Traveled from 1405-1433 The goal was to locate the escaped nephew of the emperor Also to assert the power of the Ming Brought many political figures back home

Growth of Cities and Industries

As the population grew, so did cities -> Successful crops = higher fertility rates Industries like manufacture of porcelain, silk expanded in response to growing European demand - but not nearly as much as many European nations. China will remain a mainly agricultural society.

Eunuchs

Castrated men without families who would serve the Emperor for his lifetime

Xenophobia

Fear of other cultures influencing Chinese culture after their dedication to restoring their culture after the Mongols

Who was the founder of the Ming Dynasty

Hongwu

The Great Wall of China

Its main purpose was to keep the Mongols out, but it had fallen into disrepair, allowing the Mongols to infiltrate China

Ming Decline

Late 1500s Weak rulers took the throne, corruption increased Defense efforts drained treasury; rulers raised taxes 1600s, high taxes, crop failures led to famine, hardship Rebellions break out

The Forbidden City

Located in Beijing. Home of the Chinese emperors Zheng He Voyages Yongle's most trusted advisor was Zheng He Was a court eunuch- castrated men who were supposed to be loyal to the emperors Led seven voyages of exploration Massive fleet of ships (300) Both treasure and war ships China had a powerful navy Fleet passed through Asia, Africa, and India. Voyages brought great profits

Dynastic Cycle

Mandate of Heaven: The right, given by god, to rule People must give complete loyalty and obedience to the leader

Confucian Beliefs on Voyages

Many government officials and Confucianists opposed voyages. Felt trading activities was unworthy Worried about merchants gaining power Did not want to deal with rest of world Chinese culture after their dedication to restoring their culture after the Mongols

Revolts in China against Yuan Dynasty

Toghon Temür- the last Yuan Emperor of China Small groups of Daoists and Buddhists formed secret societies that planned how they might overthrow the Mongols. White Lotus Society: Zhu Yuanzhang was the savior who had been promised to free them from the Mongols Red Turban Army: major Chinese rebel group Zhu Yuanzhang: emerged as the strongest leader of Chinese rebels, former Buddhist Monk. Successful in overthrowing the Mongols and becomes the first leader of a new Chinese dynasty, the Mings. Zhu's forces take Dadu (capital of Yuan Dynasty)

Who was the successor to the First Emperor of the Ming Dynasty?

Yongle

Positives of Narrow Education

Preparing for the civil service exams of China's officials was that civil upheaval and antagonism never occurred within the governing class.

Ming Economy and Society

Prosperity Ming rule brought prosperity to China Improved methods of irrigation increased farm production Peasants produced huge rice crops in southern river valleys

The Manchu

Ming China weakened; the Manchu, a people to the northwest in Manchuria, saw their chance 1644, Manchu swept into Beijing, took capital Last Ming emperor killed himself to avoid capture Manchu formed own dynasty gave it Chinese name - Qing

The Great Wall 2.0

Ming finished the Great Wall to prevent the ongoing threat of Mongol invaders Most of the Great Wall was built during the Mings Took the manpower and resources from the naval expeditions and dedicated them to defend the Great Wall Outside forces kept out - Chinese kept in

Ming Isolation

Ming government begins to isolate itself after Yongle's death Negative views on outside trade Desire to preserve Chinese culture Belief in Chinese supremacy Threat of outside forces

The Ming Dynasty Established

Ming- means "bright" China is once again ruled by the Han Chinese Zhu Yuanzhang becomes the first emperor of Ming Dynasty- takes the name Hongwu Revived Confucian ideas Restored Civil Service Exams Expanded power of the emperor Removed high-level positions in government Worked to expel Mongols Reduced taxes Agriculture and trade flourished throughout the countryside. Naval expeditions from 1403 AD and beyond. Main goal was to rebuild and unite China

The Fall of the Yuan Dynasty

Mongols of China become sedentary Problems over the succession of the throne after Kublai (Despite having over 100 children, only one was a potential successor) Corruption in government. Revolts

China and Europe

Some Europeans gained influences in China Matteo Ricci, Italian Jesuit priest; arrive 1583 Learned Chinese, adopted customs and gained acceptance Introduce European learning in math & science European merchants/missionaries arrive at China Chinese eventually grew angry with Europeans Chinese officials did NOT like the European influence in China.

The Views and Actions of the Mongols in China

The Chinese viewed the Mongols has nomadic barbarians, whereas the Chinese were settled, farmers. The Mongol destroyed most of Northern China. Ogodei Khan, G.K.'s son, invaded the Song Dynasty's islands in the south. 1264 Ogodei's son, Kublai won all of China and announced that he was the new Son of Heaven. Khubilai took on the values of the Chinese gentleman but kept the ambitions of a Mongol Khan

Confucian Beliefs and its Effects

The beliefs did not value materialism Did not make the jump from commercial to industrial revolution