1. 7-4 Notes: A Return to Chinese Rule

2. Overthrowing the Mongols: The First Ming Emperor
Kublai died in 1294 ACE, which severely weakened the power of the Mongols
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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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