Ming Dynasty Study Guide (Terms & Questions)

What is the order of the class system, from greatest to least?

1. Shi (Gentry Scholars) 2. Nong (Peasant Farmers) 3. Gong (Artisans and Craftsmen) 4. Shang (Merchants and Traders)

Bureaucracy

A system of government in where the majority of the important decisions are made by the state officials rather than elected representatives.

What were the three main religions of the Ming dynasty?

Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism

Great Wall of China

Construction of this massive wall began during the Ming Dynasty. This wall was used to keep intruders out.

Zheng He

Court official that led the seven voyages that expanded the Ming dynasty's profits and items. This occurred between 1405 and 1433.

Manchus

Farming and Hunting people who lived northeast of the Great Wall in Manchuria. Eventually overthrew the Ming Dynasty to create the Qing dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang

First emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Ming Hong Wu

Founder of the Dynasty (1368-1398)

Emperor Chongzhen

Last emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Cause of death: hung himself in Beijing

Porcelain

Main material used in Ming dynasty art.

Buddhism

One of the three main religious beliefs of the Ming Dynasty. Buddhism originated in India, making it an outside influence final goal or "endpoint" in life is to achieve "nirvana."

Confucianism

One of the three main religious beliefs of the Ming Dynasty. Confucianism is the way of life taught by Confucius. Confucius created the Analects, similar to the bible for Christians, or the Tao de Ching for people who practice Taoism. The main principle of confucianism is humaneness.

Taoism

One of the three main religious beliefs of the Ming Dynasty. Taoism is based on the teaching of the Tao de Ching, similar to the Bible for Christians or Analects for the ones who practice Confucianism. The art of living with humor, grace, large-heartedness, and deep wisdom were important morals to the Tao religion.

Who is known as Buddha?

Siddhartha Gautama

Yong Le

Son of Ming Hong Wu, stressed the use of naval voyages and created the Imperial City (Forbidden City)

What is the Imperial City? What is it known as today?

The Imperial City was the home to China's emperors. There were over 8,000 rooms, and over 178 acres of land. The Imperial City is and was known as the Forbidden City, as there were limited reasons to enter and exit the massive palace.

Who overthrew the Ming dynasty? What was the dynasty named after the overthrow?

The Manchus overthrew the Ming Dynasty and later named it the Qing dynasty.

How did the Ming dynasty begin?

The Mongol dynasty was overthrown in the year of 1368. Ming Hong Wu, the founder, proceeded to name the dynasty the Ming Dynasty.

What was the original capital of the Ming dynasty? Where was the new capital located?

The original capital, was Nanjing, and it was later moved to Beijing.