7-4 Notes: A Return to Chinese Rule

Overthrowing the Mongols: The First Ming Emperor Kublai died in 1294 ACE, which severely weakened the power of the Mongols 1368 - a rebel army led by Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew the Mongols Yuanzhang established the Ming dynasty, taking the name Hongwu Encouraged Confucianism, reinstitute the state exam system Rebuilt roads and canals to encourage trade Rebuilt and extended the Great Wall to improve defenses Provided farmers with land and lowered taxes Increased his personal power by getting rid of prime minister, taking control of government offices Made decisions w/o consulting advisors Set up a secret service to spy on his people Tens of thousands of people arrested and killed for treason

Yongle’s Rule Hongwu died in 1398 Hongwu chose his grandson to succeed him, but a power struggle ensued his death Yongle (one of Hongwu’s sons), after 5 years of fighting, became emperor in 1403 Strong, capable leader like his father Enlarged the capital of Beijing by building a complex of palaces and temples surrounded by a 35-foot- high wall Called the “Forbidden City” because commoners and foreigners weren’t allowed to enter

Trade and Overseas Voyages Early 1400s - Yongle sent a number of maritime, which means “related to the sea”, voyages to other civilizations He wanted to expand China’s influence and win tribute from other countries Tribute is payment made by one country to another as a sign of respect and inferiority Yongle built a fleet of ships for the voyage 7 long voyages from 1405 and 1433 Admiral Zheng He led the fleet Up to 300 ships, 28,000 crew members Sailed around Southeast Asia to India, Arabia, and Africa Brought back gold and jewels and helped to expand China’s foreign trade and reputation

A Change of Policy By the 1430s, Zheng He and Yongle had died Most Confucian officials thought the voyages weren’t worth it Most concerned with Central Asian invasions Ming government ended maritime voyages and banned the building of ships China expanded trade in Southeast Asia European ships were visiting China by the early 1500s Chinese traded tea, silk, porcelain, and other goods for silver

The Last Dynasty Ming declined after 300 years in power Weak rulers, high taxes, and poor harvests led to rebellion Manchuria - region northeast of China Manchus took advantage of Ming weaknesses and conquered China Qing Dynasty Manchus allowed trade but limited foreign contact and restricted foreign influence on China until collapsing in 1911