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4-4 Notes - The Ming Dynasty. Rise of the Ming. Kublai Khan died in 1294 ACE and Mongol power slowly began to erode 1368 ACE – Zhu Yuanzhang drove out the the Mongols, established the Ming (“brilliant”) dynasty. He took the name Hong Wu and established his capitol at Nanjing.
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Rise of the Ming Kublai Khan died in 1294 ACE and Mongol power slowly began to erode 1368 ACE – Zhu Yuanzhang drove out the the Mongols, established the Ming (“brilliant”) dynasty. He took the name Hong Wu and established his capitol at Nanjing. He was cruel leader who kept his power (30 years) through fear and intimidation, often killing officials suspected of treason. His son Yong Le became emperor in 1398 ACE, moving the capitol to Beijing. In Beijing he built the Imperial City (Forbidden City), which included a large area of palaces and government buildings that was cut off to most people.
Ming Reforms Restored the civil service exam system and made it more difficult. Compiled censuses to count people and collect taxes more accurately. Hong Wu ordered canals and roads to be rebuilt and new forests to be planted. Repaired the Grand Canal to help ship goods faster. Imported new types of rice from Southeast Asia that grew faster to help feed more people.
Chinese Culture Merchants and artisans became wealthier and supported the development of new art. Chinese writers developed the novel, a long fictional story. Chinese also enjoyed drama that combined on stage spoken words and songs with dances, costumes, and symbolic gestures.
Chinese Exploration The Ming were interested in exploring the world outside of China and expanding their power, influence, and economy. 1405 ACE - 1431 ACE, Yong Le sent out a series of seven overseas voyages. He wanted to trade with other kingdoms, show off China’s power, and force weaker kingdoms to pay tribute to China. Leader of the voyages was Zheng He, a Chinese Muslim and court official. Traveled to Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and East Africa. Traded goods such as silk, paper, and porcelain and brought back silver, spices, wood, and other goods and even animals such as giraffes. Merchants from China settled in Southeast Asia and India to trade. They spread culture as well. Chinese officials complained that the trips were too costly, brought in outside ideas that harmed China’s purity and integrity, and only benefited merchants. After He’s death in 1433, the officials persudaded the emperor to stop the voyages and dismantle the ships.
Europeans in China 1514 ACE - Portuguese ships arrived off the coast of China. First contact between China and Europe since Marco Polo. Portuguese tried to trade with China and convert them to Catholicism. Chinese thought that the Europeans were barbarians and refused to trade with them. By 1600 ACE, they allowed Portugal to set up a trading post at the port of Macao. Catholic Missionaries, mostly Jesuit priests, attempted but failed to convert most Chinese people. Their scientific knowledge and instruments such as glasses and clocks impressed the Chinese though.
Fall of the Ming Dynasty One reason the Ming dynasty began to decline was that emperors had concentrated so much power that officials had little desire to participate in and improve the government. Greedy officials overtaxed peasants and incited revolts. The Manchus (from Manchuria) attacked China from the north and defeated the Ming armies, capturing the capitol of Beijing. They set up a new dynasty in 1644 ACE, ending the Ming Dynasty.
