1. The Ming Dynasty 12-4
Today we are learning how Ming rulers strengthened the government and backed trading voyages

2. Rise of the Ming dynasty
1368 – Zhu Yuanzhang becomes emperor, set up capital in Nanjing
Ming – “Brilliant” dynasty
Hong Wu – Zhu changed his name. Meant “Military Emperor”
Brought back order
Trusted no one – killed anyone suspected of treason (disloyalty to the gov.)
Ruled – 30 yrs.

3. 1398 – Yong Le –Hong Wu’s son became emperor
Show of power – had to work hard to prove he was powerful
Moved capital to Beijing
Imperial City – large area of palaces and gov. buildings
Forbidden City – home to China’s emperors
Palace had thousands of rooms
Virtual tour of the Forbidden City

4. Ming Reforms Restored Civil Service Exams and made even harder!
Census – count of the # of people. Helped w/tax collection
Hong Wu’s orders – canals & farms destroyed by Mongols rebuilt
Agriculture- thrived due to new lands
Industry – repaired and expansion to the Grand Canal allowed for goods to be shipped.

5. Chinese Culture Wanted to learn more, be entertained
Entertainment – dramas – spoken words, songs and dances, costumes, and symbolic gestures.
Novels – long fictional stories.

6. Zheng He Ming leaders -Curious about the outside world
Reasons – trade, show off power, demand tribute from weak kingdoms.
Zheng He – Chinese Muslim explorer, friend to Emperor Yong Le
Exported: Silk, paper, porcelain
Imported: Silver, spices, wood, & animals
Great for China’s economy!
Officials complained the trips cost too much, brought outside ideas, and made merchants rich.
Confucius – place loyalty of society above tour own desires.
Chinese merchants – disobeyed by being successful
Voyages stopped after He’s death
Ship building tech was lost within 50 years
Zheng He

7. Europeans arrive in China
1514 – fleet from Portugal arrived, wanted to set up trade relations with the Chinese
The Chinese thought they were barbarians
Uncivilized people
Port of Macao- opened by allowed Portuguese to set up a trading post here in s. China
European influence – were restricted but did not stop Christian missionaries from traveling to China
Jesuits – special group of Roman Catholic priest – highly educated
Impressed the Chinese with scientific knowledge
Brought clocks, eyeglasses, scientific instruments
Did not convert too many to Christianity

8. What happened to the Ming Dynasty?
Power – emperors gathered too much power
Officials did not want to make improvements
Greed- officials took over, placed heavy taxes on peasants – they revolted
1644 – Manchu from Manchuria defeated the Chinese army
Captured Beijing – set up a new dynasty

9. In review:
The Ming dynasty rebuilt and reformed China after the Mongols were driven out.
They restored peace and prosperity to China
During the Ming dynasty, China’s contacts with the outside world increased as Zheng He led fleets to faraway lands and European ships began arriving in China.