Do Now: What do you know about China to this point in time?

Kublai Khan(Ghengiz Khan’s grandson)the new leader of the Mongol Empire did many things to keep the Empire going but was a harsh ruler. He did what was best and wouldn’t mind if people died due to it. He had rebuilt the Grand Canal An Italian merchant named, Marco Polo was one of the many visitors to China during the Yuan Dynasty. During his stay, he spent 17 years in Kublai’s service. Kublai Khan: Leader of the Mongols and Ghengiz Khan’s grandson. Led from Marco Polo: Italian Merchant who visited the Yuan Dynasty and spent 17 years in Kublai Khan’s service.

The Yuan Dynasty declined after the death of Kublai Khan. Confucian Scholars retreated into their own world due to little gain from the Barbarians. Heavy taxes, corruption, and natural disasters led to frequent uprisings. Zhu Yuanzhang(peasant leader) forged a rebel army that toppled the Mongols and pushed them back beyond the Great Wall of China. In 1368, The New Chinese Dynasty called Ming(beautiful) was created.

Restored Civil Service System. Restored The Confucian Learning System. Board of Sensors watched over the bureaucracy. Rooted out corruption and disloyalty.

All the rulers in the Ming Dynasty contributed a lot but none of them impacted as much and weren’t very well known. Hongwu Emperor( ): Was there 1 st ruler. He rebuilt the state’s infrastructure. Made new government hall as well. Yongle Emperor( ): Sparked a 3 year civil war and reign was not followed with many effects in the empire. Wanli Emperor( ): Ruled while there was a slow decline in the Ming Dynasty.

Fertile and well-irrigated plains of Eastern China supported a population of more than 100 million. In the Yungzi Valley, peasants produced huge rice crops. In the 1500s new crops reached China including corn and sweet potatoes from the Americas. Chinese cities created a large amount of porcelain, paper, and tools. Repaired the extensive canal system that linked several regions and made trade easier. Better and new methods of printing. Huge production of books.

Developed own styles of landscape painting and created magnificent blue and white porcelain. Ming vases were the most valuable as well as popular products exported to the West. Confucian Scholars produced classical poetry. Ming writers published novels and the very 1 st detective stories. Popular tradition of Chinese opera that consisted of musical, dance, and drama.

In 1405, Zheng He commanded the 1 st of 7 expeditions. Departed 62 huge ships along with hundreds of smaller ones. Carried more than 25,000 soldiers. The largest ship was 400 feet long. The goal of each expedition was to promote trade and collect tribute from lesser powers across the “western seas” Between 1405 &1433, Zheng He explored coasts of Southeast Asia and India and the entrances to the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. As well as many parts of East Africa.

Take out a piece of loose leaf and write your own journal entry as one of Zheng He’s soldiers on one of the 7 voyages. Make it creative and have as much fun with it as possible!

You will now receive a crossword puzzle containing words that connect to the Ming Dynasty. Fill out as much as you can and it will be collected before you leave. Have Fun!!