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Aim: How did the Ming Dynasty reestablish and maintain Chinese rule from
the 14th century onward?
DO NOW: DEFINE “DYNASTY.”
WHERE HAVE YOU SEEN THIS TERM?
What is a Dynasty?
• A series of rulers within the same family
lineage. Similar to a ‘house’ or ‘clan’ in Europe.
• Dynasties exhibit totalitarian rule, meaning
they wield absolute control. In China, this was
the Emperor.
• The dynastic system in China first began in
ancient times during the 21st century BCE.
• The transfer of power from one dynasty to
another is explained by the Mandate of Heaven
o In China, the Emperor was seen as the “Son of
Heaven.” If their actions, or the actions of their
heirs, were not virtuous, it was believed they
would lose the Mandate of Heaven.
The Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368)
• The Yuan Dynasty was claimed by Kublai Khan,
grandson of Genghis Khan in 1271.
o This was a dynasty run by the Mongols.
• The Mongols already controlled most of
present-day northern China, but this title
legitimized their reign.
• Despite its strong military, the government was
challenged by corrupt officials, low tax
revenues, and Chinese anger at Mongol control.
• A series of natural disasters and famines were
considered a sign that they had lost the
Mandate of Heaven.
Rise of the Ming Dynasty
• Zhu Yuanzhang was born into poverty and
orphaned, becoming a Buddhist monk in his
formative years
• He later joined the White Lotus Society, a
secret religious group who protested Mongol
rule, and became a soldier of resistance.
• After the Red Turban Rebellion, which began in
in 1351, Yuanzhang would take over much of
southern China that had been held by the Yuan.
• With the Mongols being pushed north (close to
the borders of present-day Mongolia), the Ming
Dynasty, which means “brilliant,” was born.
The Hongwu Emperor
• Choosing his era name as a reference to the
dynasty’s military strength, the Hongwu
emperor returned power to the Chinese.
• He was considered a despot who killed over
40,000 of his own people.
o Often created and used eunuchs as advisors, as
he was suspicious of betrayal.
o Eliminated the position of prime minister after
a plot against him was revealed
• However, he created reforms in education, law,
and the military.
• Military campaign in Yunnan expanded empire.
The Yongle Emperor
• After the death of the Hongwu emperor, Prince
Zhu Di defeated his uncle for the throne.
o “Yongle” means “perpetual happiness”
• Brutal like his father, he killed many scholars
and bureaucrats who questioned his legitimacy.
• Fought many battles against Mongols and
attempted to take over Vietnam.
• Despite his militarism, the Yongle Emperor was
also diplomatic, extending the economic reach
of his empire beyond the empire’s borders.
o Zheng He and the Treasure Fleet
Human Geography
• When the Yongle Emperor came to power, the
capital city was moved north from Nanjing
(“south capital”) to Beijing (“north capital”).
• Here, the Forbidden City was constructed
between 1406 and 1420
o This walled complex not only protected the
Emperor, but gave him an almost holy
appearance.
•Also built the Grand Canal, the longest artificial
waterway in the world.
o At 1,104 miles long, it flows from Beijing to
Hangzhou, where it empties into the Pacific.
The Great Wall of China
• Original portions constructed by the Western
Zhou Dynasty date back to the 11th Century BCE.
• During the Ming Dynasty, many of the portions
we recognize today were restored.
• Not just a wall, but a defense project composed
of passes, watchtowers, garrisons, beacon
towers and blockhouses.
• Over 1 million Ming soldiers were stationed at
various portions of the Great Wall during the
15th Century.
We’re gonna build a wall
• In groups of 5, we will research the additional
achievements of the Ming Dynasty and write
them down on our ‘bricks’
• Using chart paper, assemble them in terms of
importance to the dynasty’s stability.
o More important achievements will be at the base of
the wall, creating a foundation. Less important will
be higher up.
• After your group’s wall is completed, discuss which
achievement is the most important to the longterm success of the dynasty.
•Then, compare and discuss the achievements and
order you chose with the choices of your
neighboring group.
Aim: What were the “Three Teachings” of
China, and how did they affect Ming
society and government?
DO NOW: KWL CHART
Buddhism
• Founded in India by Siddhartha Gautama in the
6th century BCE
• Strong belief in Karma and reincarnation; goal
of life is to reach Nirvana
• The Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths
oWays to reach Nirvana. Against materialism and
earthly desires. Universe is all one spirit.
• One of the most prominent religions in China.
• Yuan Dynasty had close relationship with
Tibetan lamas.
Daoism
• Created in China by Laozi in the 6th-5th century
BCE
• Dao (means “the way”) is the force behind all.
• Religion promotes oneness with nature.
o The soul survives after death.
• Goal to achieve harmony with nature and
responsibility to one another.
o Much Dao philosophy is political.
• Origin of the yin and yang
• Rise of magic/sorcery during the Ming period.
Also, very influential to medicine.
Confucianism
• Based on sayings and actions of Confucius, a
Chinese Zhao philosopher (6th century BCE)
• First gained prominence during the Han
• Origin of the Mandate of Heaven
• Promoted virtue and education, especially in
government.
• After death, one would be worshipped as an
ancestor by their family.
• Strong belief in respect for male superiority
and social hierarchy.
Neo-Confucianism
• Response to philosophical battle between the
“three teachings”
• Established in 11th century, more prominent
during Song and Ming dynasties
• Belief that existence has two elements:
o Li: Energy, or the essence of life
o Qi: The material form of Li (earth, air, water,
etc.)
• Personal harmony via involvement in education
and community
• Social harmony via filial piety and five
relationships
Ming Society
• Neo-Confucian Society was patriarchal.
• Filial Piety: respect for living parents, elders;
worship of ancestors who have passed.
• Five Relationships: foundation of stable society
o Father and son; elder brother and younger
brother; husband and wife; older friend and
younger friend; ruler and subject.
• Social hierarchy based on four groups:
o Shi: military commanders, bureaucrats, scholars
o Nong: peasant farmers
o Gong: artisans, craftsmen
o Shang: merchants, traders
Ming Government
• After the Yuan Dynasty, Confucianism became
main political philosophy.
• Civil service exams based on knowledge of
Confucian philosophy were brought back.
•Da Ming Lu – The Great Ming Code
o Based on Confucian classical texts
• Yongle Emperor commissioned the Dadian, as
well as the fourth Daozang
• Many emperors were criticized for bringing
other religions into leadership
Aim: What was the relationship between
the Ming and other parts of the world?
DO NOW: HOW CAN A LACK OF
TRADE AFFECT POLITICAL POWER?
Ming Economy
• Revived the agricultural economy.
o Rice and grain; irrigation systems.
• Attempted currency of all paper money
o Counterfeiting and inflation
o Adopted bimetallic system: copper
cashes and silver ingots
• Majority of Ming prosperity due to trade
in 15th and 16th centuries
Ming Trade
• Hongwu emperor imposed haijin, a sea
ban on foreign trade
• Yongle emperor lifted ban, increased
Ming naval strength.
o Zheng He and the Treasure Fleet
• Trade and diplomacy closely related
• Dealt with many different nations.
However, in very different ways.
Ming Trade with Europe
• Europeans desired Asian luxury goods,
especially from India and China
o Food items (tea, spices)
o Textiles (silk)
o Ceramics (porcelain vases, plates, etc)
• Mostly traded for silver, especially with
Spain and Portugal in the 16th century
• In many cases, traded for more modern
European firearms.
Ming Trade with Asia
• “Middle Kingdom” and ethnocentrism.
• Imperial court tributary system.
o Pay for relationship with China.
o Defer to Chinese superiority.
•Benefited Chinese economy far more
than tribute states.
o Chinese controlled price and quantity.
o Cost of trade and tribute missions high.
Zheng He’s Treasure Fleet
• Zheng He: Muslim eunuch and advisor to
Yongle Emperor, promoted to admiral
• Commanded the Treasure Fleet on seven
voyages between 1405 and 1433
• Voyages spanned Indian Ocean
• NOT exploratory voyages
o Collected tributes and ambassadors from
Asian and African nations
o A method of Ming power projection
Ming Treasure Ship (1405)
Length: 400+ ft.
Santa Maria (1492)
Length: ~73 ft.
End of the Treasure Fleet
• Yongle emperor died in 1424
• Zheng He died on seventh voyage
• Cost of voyages extremely high.
o Later emperors financed Great Wall.
• China comfortably self-sufficient.
o Naval trade still continued
•All ships in the fleet were destroyed.
o A century later, all overseas voyages were
banned by the government
Exit Ticket: If you were the new Ming
emperor, would you have ended the
Treasure Fleet’s voyages after 1433?
Aim: In what way did isolation affect Ming
China and other parts of the world?
DO NOW: WHAT ARE THE PROS AND
CONS OF ISOLATIONISM?
Why Look Inward?
• Diplomatic outreach too expensive
• Ethnocentric ideals
o Asian nations were barbarians
o European ideals were corruptive
• Self-sufficiency meant trade was
unnecessary
• Focus on defending against attack
o Mongols and northern nomads
o Wokou on the seas
A TRIP TO THE IMPERIAL COURT
Exit Ticket: Do you believe China
should have isolated themselves late
during the Ming Dynasty? Why?