Quing Dynasty

Ming Dynasty

Vocabulary

• Prestigious - very respected

• Dynasty - leaders and rulers of people from the same family

• porcelain - ceramic material made by heating clay-type materials to high temperatures

• The Ming Dynasty is often called the last of the great Chinese dynasties. It ruled Ancient China from 1368 to 1644.

• Prior to the Ming Dynasty, China had been ruled by the Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty was set up by the Mongols who had conquered China about 100 years earlier. Many Chinese did not like the Mongols and considered them the enemy. Finally, the Mongols were overthrown and ousted from China by a peasant uprising.

Multiple Choice

Did Chinese people like the Mongols ruling their country?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Who ruled China during 1368 to 1644 after the Mongols?

• Ming

• Yuan

• Qing

• Art flourished during the Ming Dynasty. This included literature, painting, music, poetry, and porcelain. Ming vases made of blue and white porcelain were prized at the time throughout the world. They are still considered quite valuable.

Ming Projects

The Great Wall was almost completely rebuilt by the Ming Dynasty. The tall and wide brick walls that are still standing today were built by the Ming.

The Grand Canal was rebuilt during this time. This had a significant impact on trade and helped the economy to flourish.

Forbidden City

This city was the emperor's palace and was located inside the capital city of Beijing. It had almost 1000 buildings and covered over 185 acres of land.

The government was run by an organization called the civil service. People had to take difficult exams. The men with the highest scores would get the best jobs. Some men would study for years to try and pass the exams and earn one of these prestigious positions. The exams often covered a number of subjects, but a significant portion of the testing was on the teachings of Confucius.

Multiple Choice

What did you have to do to work for the government in China?

• Pass a test

• Pay lots of money

• know the right people