The Ming Dynasty Main Idea: Ming rulers strengthened China’s government and brought back peace and prosperity

Ming Dynasty Is about … Beginnings Reforms Culture

The Ming Dynasty Begins In 1368 a rebel leader named Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor. He moved the capital to Nanjing, in southern China. There he founded the Ming, or “Brilliant,” dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty 1368-1644

“Military Emperor” Zhu took the name Hong Wu, or “Military Emperor.” He brought back order, but was a cruel leader. He killed any officials that he distrusted.

Yong Le After Hong Wu’s death, his son became emperor. He took the name Yong Le. In 1421 he moved the capital to Beijing.

The Imperial City He built large palaces and government buildings. The very center of the Imperial City was known as the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City Only top officials could enter the Forbidden City, because it was home to China’s emperors. It had many beautiful gardens and many palaces. The emperor and his court lived there in luxury.

Ming Reforms China Ming emperors restored the civil service exams. They carried out a census, or count of the number of people. With a strong government, the economy began to grow.

Hong Wu’s Improvements Hong Wu had many of the walls and canals rebuilt that were destroyed by the Mongols. He also ordered new forests to be planted and new roads built.

Ming Economy Agriculture thrived Grand Canal expanded New types of rice Silk industry Cotton grown

Ming Culture Chinese writers produced many novel, or long fictional stories. Dramas were also performed on stage. These works included words and songs with dances, costumes, and symbolic gestures.

Ming Porcelain

China Explores the World To reach other lands, Ming rulers built large fleets of ships. There is now evidence that the Chinese may have reached the Americas 100 years before Columbus.

Chinese Junk Ships These monster ships were about 330 feet long and 132 feet wide.

Zhen He The leader of many journeys under emperor Yong Le, was Chinese Muslim and court official named Zheng He

Zheng He’s Voyages 1405–1433

Zheng He Fleet His first fleet had 62 large ships, 250 smaller ships, and almost 25,000 men. The largest ship was over 440 feet long, five times longer than the Santa Maria.

Zheng He’s Travels Zheng He traveled to southeast Asia, India, the Persian Gulf to Arabia, and even East Africa. He brought back silver, spices, wood, and even giraffes for the emperor’s zoo.

End of Merchant Trade Chinese officials began to complain about the cost of the trips and the new ideas from the outside world. After Zheng He’s death, the voyages were stopped and the boats dismantled.

Europeans in China In 1514 a fleet from Portugal arrived in China. The Chinese thought the Europeans were barbarians, or uncivilized people. A Portugal trade center was set up at the port of Macao, in southern China.

The Fall of the Ming Dynasty Ming rulers became weak. Officials became greedy and took over. High taxes were placed on the peasants. The Manchus from the north defeated the Chinese armies and captured Beijing.