China and the Ming Dynasty 1368-1644

The Ming Dynasty The Ming Dynasty began with the overthrowing of the Mongol dynasty by Emperor Ming Hong Wu The capital was Beijing Using the largest army and navy in the world (over 1 million troops), the Ming extended their rule, built up the Great Wall, and made peace with nomadic tribes. Mongol Beijing over 1 million peace

Ming Dynasty at Home Effective, centralized government Nationwide school system Increased food production Life was good!! Government, school, food, good

The Forbidden City (15th c.) After Emperor Ming’s death, his son became the new leader In order to keep power, Ming’s son strengthened the dynasty and built The Imperial City (in Beijing). The Imperial City was built to show the power and wealth of the Ming dynasty. The Forbidden City is a complex of palaces within The Imperial City and was off-limits to commoners Son, power, wealth, palaces, off-limits

The Great Wall Construction of the Great Wall began in 5bc under the Qin Dynasty Was built of wood and dirt Not much of the original Great Wall remains. Most of the wall we still see today was built by the Ming Dynasty Pre-Ming Dynasty, most of the wall was built with compacted dirt Ming builders preferred brick 5 bc, wood dirt Ming Dynasty, dirt, bricks

Fun Facts about the Great Wall Average height is 25 feet If we took all the bricks and spread them out, they would circle the world 5 times Over 4100 miles long 2 to 3 million people died while building it Built to protect China from invaders (mongols) Can it be seen from space?? 25 5 4100 can and cannot be seen from space invaders

Built on border with Mongolia

The Voyages of Zheng He Sent by the Emperor to explore the Indian Ocean 7 trips over 35 years Largest ships the world had ever seen. His were 440 feet while Columbus’s were only 75 feet (over 5x larger!) Brought back new goods and animals (GIRAFFES!!!  ) Made lots of money After the Emperor died, the voyages were stopped, reverted to isolationism. Indian Ocean, 7, 35, 440, 75, money

Contact with the West In the 16th century, China was at the height of its power as a magnificent civilization When Portuguese fleets arrived, the Chinese viewed these people as inferior barbarians Eventually, the two groups traded goods (eyeglasses, silk, etc.) and Europeans were impressed with Chinese Spices Architecture Printing (books) Portuguese, inferior barbarians, spices, printing (books)

Fall of the Ming Dynasty In the late 16th century, weak rulers led to corruption, high taxes, and unhappy citizens Bad weather also led to less food This gave the Manchu people an opportunity to take over and establish the Qing Dynasty in 1644 16th, corruption, weather, Manchu, Qing (Ching), 1644

China and the Qing Dynasty 1644 - 1911

Chinese Resistance to Qing Some Chinese citizens rebelled against the new Qing rulers In order to easily tell who was loyal and who was a rebel, the Qing required all males to shave their heads and braid their hair into a queue. Those who refused were beheaded Eventually, the Qing were accepted, made peace, and prospered Beheaded.prospered

The Queue Beheaded.prospered