1. Section II: The Mongol Empire and the Ming Dynasty (Pages 250-255) This section is about: This section is about: The rise of the Mongol Empire, which brought about economic stability to the area, and the later decline of the empire. The rise of the Mongol Empire, which brought about economic stability to the area, and the later decline of the empire. The effect of Mongol rule on Chinese culture and how the Ming Dynasty restored Chinese rule. The effect of Mongol rule on Chinese culture and how the Ming Dynasty restored Chinese rule.

2. For the Mongols, let ’ s start by looking at the map on page 251. For the Mongols, let ’ s start by looking at the map on page 251. For the Ming, let ’ s look at the pictures on pages 254 and 255. For the Ming, let ’ s look at the pictures on pages 254 and 255. And, the two Main ideas on page 250. And, the two Main ideas on page 250.

3. Mongol Conquest and the Yuan Dynasty A lot of these people who ruled China were “ ruthless ” – they did whatever they wanted to do and didn ’ t care about the people much A lot of these people who ruled China were “ ruthless ” – they did whatever they wanted to do and didn ’ t care about the people much China ’ s empire used to extend well into northern Asia (Mongolia today). China ’ s empire used to extend well into northern Asia (Mongolia today). The Mongol nomads were expert horsemen and skilled warriors. The Mongol nomads were expert horsemen and skilled warriors. The Great Wall didn ’ t keep Mongols out of China, but they were impressed with the wealth it showed the empire had. The Great Wall didn ’ t keep Mongols out of China, but they were impressed with the wealth it showed the empire had. They wanted some of that. They wanted some of that. Mongols were mostly divided into clans – until 1206, when Genghis Khan united them into one fierce fighting group. Mongols were mostly divided into clans – until 1206, when Genghis Khan united them into one fierce fighting group. (Group of families with a common ancestor)

4. Mongol Invasions In 1211, Genghis Khan started invading China – first destroying the capital city of the Jin Dynasty. In 1211, Genghis Khan started invading China – first destroying the capital city of the Jin Dynasty. He soon learned it was better to collect taxes from the people and encourage industry (as well as how to use gunpowder). He soon learned it was better to collect taxes from the people and encourage industry (as well as how to use gunpowder). So, they continued to attack and expand their Mongol Empire – even along the Silk Road. So, they continued to attack and expand their Mongol Empire – even along the Silk Road. ….. …..

5. Genghis Khan died in 1227… …but his sons and grandsons took over. …but his sons and grandsons took over. By 1234, they controlled much of China. By 1234, they controlled much of China. And, by 1241, controlled Russia. And, by 1241, controlled Russia. Genghis Khan ’ s grandson (Kublai Khan – “ the Great Khan ” ) completed the total control of China and ruled from 1260-1294. Genghis Khan ’ s grandson (Kublai Khan – “ the Great Khan ” ) completed the total control of China and ruled from 1260-1294.

6. The Mongol Empire Was the largest empire the world had ever seen. Was the largest empire the world had ever seen. So big, it had to be split into 4 parts (but Kublai Khan ruled over all 4). So big, it had to be split into 4 parts (but Kublai Khan ruled over all 4). They allowed the people to live most of their same lives (same government, same religions), as long as they paid their tribute. They allowed the people to live most of their same lives (same government, same religions), as long as they paid their tribute.

7. Mongols and Trade Mongols actually brought peace and stability to their empire. Mongols actually brought peace and stability to their empire. Peasants continued to farm. Peasants continued to farm. Large estates were left alone. Large estates were left alone. Cities (and the Silk Road) were encouraged to trade. Cities (and the Silk Road) were encouraged to trade. Printing, paper money, gunpowder, porcelain, art, medical advances all made their way west. Printing, paper money, gunpowder, porcelain, art, medical advances all made their way west. Kublai Khan also created a postal system (1400 stations) for communication and messages. Kublai Khan also created a postal system (1400 stations) for communication and messages. This is the time of Marco Polo ’ s visit. This is the time of Marco Polo ’ s visit. Muslims also used the Silk Road to trade at this time. Muslims also used the Silk Road to trade at this time.

8. Mongol Rule in China Mongols kept the Chinese system of government (Tang and Song). Mongols kept the Chinese system of government (Tang and Song). The Mongols did heavily tax China (not just money, but could be goods or services). The Mongols did heavily tax China (not just money, but could be goods or services). Mongols used this money for huge building projects (like re-building the Grand Canal, and building new paved highways). Mongols used this money for huge building projects (like re-building the Grand Canal, and building new paved highways).

9. Mongol Effects on Chinese Culture The Mongols kept their own culture and styles – even when they were in another country for a long time. The Mongols kept their own culture and styles – even when they were in another country for a long time. They did not treat the Chinese as equals. They did not treat the Chinese as equals. Only Mongols and non-Chinese could hold important government positions. Only Mongols and non-Chinese could hold important government positions. Punishments for crimes were different for Mongols and Chinese. Punishments for crimes were different for Mongols and Chinese. Marriages between both: forbidden. Marriages between both: forbidden. The Mongols didn ’ t force the Chinese to change their culture and styles to theirs. The Mongols didn ’ t force the Chinese to change their culture and styles to theirs.

10. The Decline of the Mongols The Chinese people hated the Mongols. The Chinese people hated the Mongols. After Kublai Khan ’ s death, there were disputes over succession (who ’ d be next). After Kublai Khan ’ s death, there were disputes over succession (who ’ d be next). Many tried to take over, but the Chinese always rebelled against them. Many tried to take over, but the Chinese always rebelled against them. There were other problems (The Chang Jiang River kept flooding – ruining farms and farmland). There were other problems (The Chang Jiang River kept flooding – ruining farms and farmland). China was falling into ruin. China was falling into ruin.

11. The Ming Dynasty In the 1350 ’ s there was a struggle for power – and Zhu Yuanzhang won. In the 1350 ’ s there was a struggle for power – and Zhu Yuanzhang won. He was born a peasant, but made himself into the leader who through the Mongols out of China. He was born a peasant, but made himself into the leader who through the Mongols out of China. He called his new dynasty Ming (means “ brilliant ” ). He called his new dynasty Ming (means “ brilliant ” ). He ended up ruling for 30 years. He ended up ruling for 30 years.

12. Rebuilding China Hong Wu was an emperor who made China strong again (new laws and re-organized the government). Hong Wu was an emperor who made China strong again (new laws and re-organized the government). He protected the poor peasants from wealthy nobles who ’ d try and take land from them. He protected the poor peasants from wealthy nobles who ’ d try and take land from them. Rebuilt roads and canals. Rebuilt roads and canals. Planted new forests. Planted new forests. Increased farm production. Increased farm production. Increased overseas trade. Increased overseas trade. New crops were introduced (from the Americas). New crops were introduced (from the Americas). Transferred the capital to Beijing. Transferred the capital to Beijing. Lived in the Forbidden Palace (next slide). Lived in the Forbidden Palace (next slide).

14. Chinese Voyages Hong Wu ’ s successors wanted to use Chinese power to impress others. Hong Wu ’ s successors wanted to use Chinese power to impress others. Zheng He (a Chinese Muslim admiral) built a large army and sent out 7 expeditions. Zheng He (a Chinese Muslim admiral) built a large army and sent out 7 expeditions. Sent 300 ships (28,000 men) around Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Sent 300 ships (28,000 men) around Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. When he died, the expeditions stopped – we don ’ t know why. When he died, the expeditions stopped – we don ’ t know why.

15. Cultural Flowering of the Ming Literature and the arts were very important during the Ming Dynasty. Literature and the arts were very important during the Ming Dynasty. Portrait and landscape painting. Portrait and landscape painting. Fine porcelain (called “ china ” in the west). Fine porcelain (called “ china ” in the west). Preferred writing novels. Preferred writing novels. New knowledge and technology in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and weapons were being made at this time (all over the world). New knowledge and technology in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and weapons were being made at this time (all over the world).

16. The Decline of the Ming. In the early 1600 ’ s, the Manchu became a threat to the Ming Dynasty. In the early 1600 ’ s, the Manchu became a threat to the Ming Dynasty. A Ming General asked the Manchu to help stop a rebellion. A Ming General asked the Manchu to help stop a rebellion. The Manchu stayed, captured Beijing, and the general declared himself emperor. The Manchu stayed, captured Beijing, and the general declared himself emperor.