Ming Dynasty 1368-1664 (part 1)
Ming Dynasty: 1368-1664 Hong Wu Peasant orphan Raised by Buddhist Monks Joined Red Turbans millenarian movement Emerged as leader of large military band Overthrows Yuan and declares himself emperor
Ming Dynasty Hong Wu takes Nanjing in 1364 Takes Beijing and declares himself emperor in 1368 Unifies his empire in 1370 CE
Ming Achievements Major reconstruction and repopulation projects Repair Levies Repair Canals Repair Irrigation Lure population back to the wheat basket plains of central China with tax holiday and free land in some cases
Ming’s Confucian Innovation Censorate (emissary) Top secret, undercover investigator Check on loyalty and competence of government officials Advantage: Great potential to root out corruption Disadvantage: Not so great results Too weak Too easily captured by clan ties
Main Entrance: Tienanmen Gate of Heavenly Peace
Palace Compound: 1400s “Forbidden City” This was the new residence of China’s Emperors as the capital city was moved from Nanjing, the southern capital to Beijing, the northern capital.
Ming Dynasty China Video Clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DJkE3zh6RE
Ming Dynasty Part 1 Questions What years did the Ming Dynasty rule China? List at least five major Ming Dynasty achievements. List four important things about Hong Wu. What was a Censorate, and what did a Censorate do? List an advantage & a disadvantage of a Censorate.