THE MING DYNASTY 1368 1644 14 th century

THE MING DYNASTY • 1368 – 1644 (14 th century to the 17 th century) • China was ruled by various dynasties for more than 4000 years. • A Dynasty = a line of kings or emperors from the same family. • An emperor = the ruler of an empire or a group of countries.

THE MING DYNASTY • China was going through a very difficult period during the 14 th century as a result of floods, droughts and epidemics which had killed millions of people. • The government itself was in shambles and very chaotic. • Widespread unrest eventually led to the government being overthrown by a rebel named Zhu Yuanzhang in 1368 when he named himself the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

THE MING DYNASTY • The term Ming means brilliant in English. • Zhu changed his name to Hongwu which means vast military power. His new name indicates that he has a very high self-esteem. • He introduced a number of changes into his government: he introduced an efficient tax system. • He gave people more land to use for farming. • He put more efficient government structures in place. • He made laws that served to protect both the slaves and free citizens.

Source: Hardouin The Hongwu Emperor www. theanswer. co. za See page 4

ACHIEVEMENTS OFTHE MING DYNASTY • One of the greatest successes was the growth of the Chinese army and navy as their military force grew to 1 000 soldiers. This in turn led to the creation of tribute states. • The Chinese ships were well equipped for navigation with accurate maps, a magnetic compass and a rudder.

Source: Vmenkov Modern models of the junks (ships) in Zheng He's fleet that show the sophisticated system of sails that allowed these ships to sail into the wind, and made them more resistant to tearing. The smaller junks were flat-bottomed while the large treasure ships had a keel for extra stability. www. theanswer. co. za See page 6

ACHIEVEMENTS OFTHE MING DYNASTY • In 1405, Zheng He started his journeys of exploration. • He visited 30 countries within 28 years. • He undertook these voyages almost a century before any European “white man” would start voyages.

Source: Mountain / Lushan Museum The geographer Xu Xiake www. theanswer. co. za See page 5

Beijing Hormuz Chittagong Source: Gisling Changshu Nanjing Fuzhou Quanzhou Jeddah Aden Mukalla Ayatthaya Qui Nhon Calicut Galle Mogadishu A Ming Dynasty diagram of a 24 -point marine compass Malacca Lhokseumawe Mombasa Palembang Surabaya Zheng He's voyages www. theanswer. co. za See page 6

ACHIEVEMENTS OFTHE MING DYNASTY • In terms of Architecture, they were able to establish huge projects: • The great wall of China (8852 km) • The forbidden city • The grand canal of China

Mongols Manchus The Great Wall of China Yellow Sea MING EMPIRE South China Sea East China Sea Source: Like tears in rain Tibet Ming China and the Great Wall of China www. theanswer. co. za See page 8

Source: Ofol A section of the Great Wall of China www. theanswer. co. za See page 8

Source: Lux. Tonnerre Inside Beijing's Forbidden City www. theanswer. co. za See page 4

Source: star 5112 A Taoist temple in Beijing www. theanswer. co. za See page 5

ACHIEVEMENTS OFTHE MING DYNASTY • The Ming Dynasty is well known for their various achievements in terms of arts and literature.

Source: Berthe A painting by Tang Yin www. theanswer. co. za See page 5

Source: Broken. Sphere A blue and white Ming vase showing scholars on the way to a gathering www. theanswer. co. za See page 7

Source: Iwanafish A Buddhist ceramic statue by He Chaozong www. theanswer. co. za See page 7

Source: Wiseworm Shizhou Lofty Mountain by Shen Zhou www. theanswer. co. za See page 7

A Ming painting of a Mongol archer www. theanswer. co. za See page 8

THE FALL OF THE MING DYNASTY • China started the policy of looking inward in the 15 th century (1433). • Shortly after this the Ming Dynasty started to decline and was eventually overthrown by the Manchurians who establish the last dynasty in China (Qing Dynasty 1644 -1911).