The Ming Dynasty Main Idea Ming rulers strengthened

The Ming Dynasty Main Idea: Ming rulers strengthened China’s government and brought back peace and prosperity

Ming Dynasty Beginning s Is about … Reforms Culture

The Ming Dynasty Begins In 1368 a rebel leader named Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor. n He moved the capital to Nanjing, in southern China. n There he founded the Ming, or “Brilliant, ” dynasty. n

The Ming Dynasty 1368 -1644

“Military Emperor” n n n Zhu took the name Hong Wu, or “Military Emperor. ” He brought back order, but was a cruel leader. He killed any officials that he suspected of treason, or disloyalty to the government.

Yong Le n n n After Hong Wu’s death, his son became emperor. He took the name Yong Le. In 1421 he moved the capital to Beijing.

Beijing = Imperial City n n He built large palaces and government buildings. The very center of the Imperial City was known as the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City Only top officials could enter the Forbidden City n was home to China’s emperors. n The emperor and his court lived there in luxury. n

Ming Reforms China Ming emperors restored the civil service exams. n They carried out a census, or count of the number of people. n With a strong government, the economy began to grow. n

Hong Wu’s Improvements n n Hong Wu had many of the walls and canals rebuilt that were destroyed by the Mongols. He also ordered new forests to be planted and new roads built.

Ming Economy n n n Agriculture thrived Grand Canal expanded New types of rice Silk industry Cotton grown

Ming Culture n Chinese writers produced many novel, or long fictional stories. Dramas were also performed on stage. n These works included words and songs with dances, costumes, and symbolic gestures. n

Ming Porcelain

China Explores the World To reach other lands, Ming rulers built large fleets of ships. n There is now evidence that the Chinese may have reached the Americas 100 years before Columbus. n

Chinese Junk Ships These monster ships were about 330 feet long and 132 feet wide.

Zheng He n The leader of many journeys under emperor Yong Le, was Chinese Muslim and court official named Zheng He

Zheng He’s Voyages 1405– 1433 http: //www. classzone. com/cz/books/ms_w h_survey/resources/html/animations/wh 14 _zhenghe. html

Zheng He Fleet n n His first fleet had 62 large ships, 250 smaller ships, and almost 25, 000 men. The largest ship was over 440 feet long, five times longer than the Santa Maria.

Reasons for Exploration Emperors wanted to increase China’s influence abroad. n The emperor wanted to trade with other kingdoms. n They wanted to show off China’s power. n Emperors wanted tribute from weaker kingdoms. n

Zheng He’s Travels n n Zheng He traveled to southeast Asia, India, the Persian Gulf to Arabia, and even East Africa. He brought back silver, spices, wood, and even giraffes for the emperor’s zoo.

But the Treasure Fleet went much further than previously thought…

But the Treasure Fleet went much further than previously thought…

But the Treasure Fleet went much further than previously thought…

past Greenland as far as they could to the North Pole while other ships sailed south around the tip of South America and to Antarctica.

They explored Antarctica, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, & New Zealand before returning home.

This is a copy of a claimed 1418 Chinese World Map n

Officials Stopped Explorations Traded goods n Spread Chinese culture n Chinese officials complained about the cost of the trips and the new ideas from the outside world. n After Zheng He’s death, the voyages were stopped and the boats dismantled. n

They sailed around the world almost a century before Magellan but then destroy all ocean going ships! Why? n n n Many felt the empire was getting too concerned about making money which was not the idea of Confucius. (He said place the world before your desires) The rest of the world seemed barbaric to the advanced Chinese and they didn’t want foreign cultures to filter into their own. The voyages were eventually stopped and the boats were dismantled.

End of Merchant Trade n Chinese officials began to complain about the cost of the trips and the new ideas from the outside world.

Europeans in China n n n In 1514 a fleet from Portugal arrived in China. The Chinese thought the Europeans were barbarians, or uncivilized people. A Portugal trade center was set up at the port of Macao, in southern China.

The Fall of the Ming Dynasty Ming rulers became weak. n Officials became greedy and took over. n High taxes were placed on the peasants. n The Manchus from the north defeated the Chinese armies and captured Beijing. n

The Ming Dynasty What caused the loss of shipbuilding technology? The Ming emperors stopped the sea voyages Zheng He had authorized. Then they dismantled the boats and forbade any other ships to be built. In time, shipbuilding technology was forgotten.

The Ming Dynasty How did the Chinese react to the arrival of Portuguese traders in 1514? The Chinese thought they were barbarians and at first refused to trade with them.

The Ming Dynasty Why did Emperor Yong Le send Zheng He on his voyages? How did Zheng He’s voyages benefit China? Summarize Zheng was sent on voyages to show off China’s power and open trade between China and other countries; benefits to China were that Chinese traders settled in Southeast Asia and India where they traded goods and spread Chinese culture. China’s wealth grew.