A Ming Dynasty China 1 Emperor Yongle public

A. Ming Dynasty China 1. Emperor Yongle § § public works projects New capital with temples and courts Overseas missions Writing of Encyclopedia 2. Confucainism/anti-Mongol policies § § § Re-sinicizing Promote Confucianism Reinstate exam system

Yongle also ordered to build a massive network of structures in new capital Beijing in which government offices, officials, and the imperial family itself resided. After a painfully long construction time, the Forbidden City was finally completed and became the political capital of China for the next 500 years.

Ming Dynasty China 3. Economic boom § Repaired infrastructure/fields 4. Zheng He’s voyages § 1405 --1433 § 100 s ships/27, 000 men § Demonstration of Chinese power § ? ? recalled/scuttled 1430 s (world can come to us)

European Comparison 1. Smaller states in constant conflict (contrast to China) § Ex. 100 year’s war 2. Renaissance § Revival of Greco/Roman art & philosophy § Individual achievements § Humanism

Comparing Maritime Voyages 1. Portugal takes lead after 1415 § Series of voyages with support of Pope a) Vasco da Gama (India 1497) 2. Smaller ships/fleets than Chinese § Handful of ships/crews around 100

Motives/goals/support China: wealthy/no need to expand/centralized Europe: desperate to enter world economy competing states (with each other and Islamic Empire) merchants= economic opportunities Kings= new tax revenue/more power-land Church= spread faith