Section 4: The Yuan and Ming Dynasties China Section 4: The Yuan and Ming Dynasties

The Mongol Empire The Mongols Nomadic people from northern China Temujin was a powerful leader who united them and was given the new title Genghis Khan (“Universal Ruler”) Genghis Khan led the Mongols on bloody expeditions of conquest Attacked much of Asia and Eastern Europe Within 20 years, he ruled a large part of Asia By the time of his death, all of northern China was under Mongol control

Kublai Khan did not force the Chinese to accept Mongol ways of life Genghis’s grandson Became ruler of the Mongol Empire Completed the conquest of China and named himself ruler He began the Yaun Dynasty, a period that some call the Mongol Ascendancy Kublai Khan did not force the Chinese to accept Mongol ways of life Some Mongols adopted aspects of Chinese culture like Confucianism The Mongols placed heavy taxes on the Chinese Much of this money went to pay for public-works projects The Yaun: extended the Grand Canal, built new roads and palaces, and built a new capital, Dadu.

The Chinese rebelled against the Yuan dynasty Marco Polo Italian merchant Highly respected by the Mongols Served in Kublai Khan’s court Mongols invaded Japan The Mongols encountered violent storms and fierce defenders destroyed most of the Mongol force This weakened the Mongol military The Chinese rebelled against the Yuan dynasty Zhu Yuanzhang led his rebel army in a final victory over the Mongols giving control back to the Chinese

The Ming Dynasty Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor of China Founded the Ming dynasty Ming China was one of the most stable and prosperous times in Chinese history The Ming were known for improving their ships and sailing and incredible building projects The Forbidden City Palace complex Common people were not allowed to enter the complex Appointed censors Officials sent throughout China to investigate the behavior of local leaders and to judge the quality of schools and other institutions

Isolationism was instituted during the Ming dynasty Policy of avoiding contact with other countries