China after the Mongols After Kublai Mongol rule
China after the Mongols
§ After Kublai, Mongol rule of China weakened § Things grew worse for many Chinese § Zhu Yuan Zhang, a commoner, successfully rebelled, named himself emperor Hong Wu
§ Hong Wu distrusted officials, making decisions with Eunuchs § Trusted because they couldn’t have kids, less of a threat § enacted new harsh law codes § reformed local government § reorganized the tax system § reintroduced the Civil Service Exam § posts open to literate Chinese replacing Mongols § Caused reemergence of Confucian ideals
§ Irrigation systems rebuilt § Offered land supplies to those willing to repopulate the North. § Increased agriculture = Population Growth = Specialization § Caused a growth in culture as new wealth demanded new entertainment § Under the third emperor, created encyclopedia, totaling 23, 000 manuscripts
§ A Chinese Muslim, named Zheng He, became an Admiral § He would lead 7 expeditions from 1405 -1433 § The goal was to establish a presence in the Monsoon Marketplace § Impress others with Ming Power § Hypothesized that he made it to America
§ Sailed with 317 ships with 28, 000 soldiers on the largest ships ever built § Travelled the entirety of the Monsoon marketplace § Gave away Chinese goods, bringing back exotic animals and gifts § Paid respect to local deities and customs § Stopped so funds could be invested in agriculture Zheng He's Ship in comparison to Columbus' Ship
§ Rebuilt Beijing § Included the Forbidden City which is a magnificent complex of palaces § Protected by 30 ft walls § Emperors began living lavishly: § Increasing taxes § Already bad due to abandoning of trade § Ignored Government § Busy drinking or doing drugs § Allowed for new nomads to conquer China
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