The Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty

Textbook pages 530 - 533

Key Ideas

• The Ming emerged after the weakening of the Mongol rule (Yuan Dynasty)

• The Ming (which means brilliant), sought to wipe out all Mongolian influence and restore Chinese rule

• After several voyages (trips), the rulers of the Ming chose to close off contact to the rest of the world

The Ming Restore Chinese Power

• After Kublai Khan's death in 1294, China suffered through floods, disease, and famine (lack of food)

• These hard times led the Chinese people to rebel against the Mongols

• In 1368, Chinese rule was restored under a new dynasty called the Ming.

Multiple Select

What hardships did the Chinese suffer through? Click all that apply

• famine

• wars

• disease

• floods

New Rulers

• Zhu Yuan Zhang became the first leader of the Ming Dynasty

• In 1368, he declared himself emporer and changed his name to Hong Wu

• He declared all Mongols as foreigners (not belonging to China) and reversed several Mongol trade policies

• He revived civil service systems and brought back Confucian values

• China returned to a strong, centralized rule

Multiple Choice

What did Zhu Yuan Zhang change his name too after becoming Emperor

• Kublai Khan

• Hong Wu

• Yanglee

• Shi Han

Hong Wu's leadership

• He became a cruel leader or despot - a tyrant or dictator

• He started distrusting everyone, even his closest advisors

• He created a secret police force to seek out his enemies

• He had about 100,000 people arrested and executed for treason or disloyal actions against his empire.

• After his death, his son, Yongle, became took power.

Multiple Choice

What is a despot?

• a long voyage

• a tyrant or dictator

• a kind ruler

• another term for emporer

Yongle's Rule

• Yongle took on his father's role of absolute rule

• He moved the capital north to Beijing (this was to protect the northern lands from an invasion from the Mongols)

• He created a palace called the Forbidden City in the center of Beijing. No one was allowed to enter, but the royal family and top officials

• This was created to show visitors that China was the center of the world

Tributes and Trade

• Yongle forced foreign countries to recognize China's power

• Many countries sent tribute to China or a payment /gift

• Ming China traded with other parts of Asia and eastern Africa

• Trade brought peace to China and therefore the government could spend less money on armies

Multiple Choice

Where did Yongle move the capital too?

• Nanjing

• Beijing

Multiple Choice

What is a tribute?

• payment or gifts to the more powerful country

• taxes

• warships

• trade ships

Voyages

• Between 1405 and 1433, Yongle sent a man named Zheng He to lead a series of sea voyages to demonstrate China's power

• Zheng He traveled through Southeast Asia to the coast of India on his first trip.

• He took 60 huge ships and 27,000 men

• Later voyages went as far as the Persian Gulf and the east coast of Africa

• Wherever Zheng He went, he collected tributes for China

China turns inward

• When Yongle died, the voyages ended and China turned inward.

• China banned overseas travel, the building of ships, and contact with most foreigners

• A large reason for this action was cost, but scholar-officials also believed that China had everything it needed and did not need contact with the outside world

• They saw foreigners as a threat to their culture

Multiple Select

Why did China stop contact with the outside world? Check all that apply

• cost

• afraid of invaders

• thought China had everything they needed

• thought foreigners were a threat to Chinese culture

End of the Ming Dyasty

• The strict rule of the Ming rulers led to corruption and rebellion

• Protests from the people and outside invaders led to the fall of the dynasty in 1644

Multiple Choice

What year did the Ming Dynasty fall?

• 1600

• 1654

• 1644

• 1700

The End

Any Questions?????