Mongolian Steppes

Xinjiang Region – Typical Uygher [Mongol] “Yurt”

Mongol Invasions

Mongol Warriors

Mongol Archer

Gold Saddle Arch – Mongols, 13c

Gold Saddle, Front View – Mongols, 13c

The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]  Temujin --> Genghis Khan [“Universal Ruler”]   from the steppe [dry, grass-covered plains of Central Asia]

The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]  Genghis Khan’s Tax Laws:  If you do not pay homage, we will take your prosperity.  If you do not have prosperity, we will take your children.  If you do not have children, we will take your wife.  If you do not have a wife, we will take your head.  Used cruelty as a weapon --> some areas never recovered from Mongol destruction!

Mongol Nobleman, late 13c

Robe of a Mongol Nobleman, early 14c

Yuan Golden Bowl, 13c

The Extent of the Mongol Empire

Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty, C.E.  Kublai Khan [r ]  Pax Mongolica [“Mongol Peace”]  Tolerated Chinese culture but lived apart from them.   No Chinese in top govt. posts.  Believed foreigner were more trustworthy.  Encouraged foreign trade & foreign merchants to live and work in China. Marco Polo

Marco Polo ( )  A Venetian merchant.  Traveled through Yuan China:  “Black Stones” [coal]  Gunpowder.  Noodles.

Marco Polo’s Travels

Yuan Porcelains & Ceramics

Yuan Dynasty, C.E.  The Black Plague was spread by the Mongols in the mid-14c.  Sent fleets against Japan.  > 150,000 warriors  Defeated by kamikazi [“winds of the gods”]   Kublai Khan experienced several humiliating defeats in Southeast Asia late in his life.

China’s last native imperial dynasty!

The Forbidden City: China’s New Capital

Revived the Civil Service Exam

Ming Cultural Revolution   Printing & Literacy   Cheap, popular books:   woodblock printing.   cheap paper.   Examination system.   Leads to explosion in literacy.    Leads to further popularization of the commercial market.   Culture & Art   Increased literacy leads to increased interest in cultural expressions, ideas, and things:   Opera.   Literature.   Painting.   Ceramics.

Ming Silver Market   Spanish Silver Convoys   Triangle route:   Philippines to China to Japan.   Silver floods Chinese Market:   Causes devaluation of currency & recession   Adds to reasons for Chinese immigration overseas.   Reduces price of Chinese goods in Europe   Increases interest in Chinese culture & ideas in Europe.   Helps fund conquest of New World    Encourages Europeans in conquest & trade.

Ming Dynasty, C.E.  Golden Age of Chinese Art  Moderation  Softness  Gracefulness  Three different schools of painting developed.  Hundreds of thousands of workers constructed the Forbidden City.

Ming Emperor Tai Zu (r )

The Tribute System

Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)   Ming “Treasure Fleet”   Each ship 400’ long & 160’ wide   China’s “Columbus?” 

Admiral Zheng He’s Voyages   First Voyage: [62 ships; 27,800 men].   Second Voyage: [Ho didn’t go on this trip].   Third Voyage: [48 ships; 30,000 men].   Fourth Voyage: [63 ships; 28,500 men].   Fifth Voyage:   Sixth Voyage:   Emperor Zhu Gaozhi cancelled future trips and ordered ship builders and sailors to stop work.   Seventh Voyage:   Emperor Zhu Zhanji resumed the voyages in 1430 to restore peaceful relations with Malacca & Siam   100 ships and 27,500 men; Cheng Ho died on the return trip.

X X > Da Gama reached Calcutta, China’s favorite port.

Ming Porcelain / Ceramics, 17c–18c

Ming Vases, 18c

Ming Carved Lacquer Dish 15c

Ming Scroll Painting “Travellers in Autumn Mountains”

Ming Painting – “Taoist Scholar”

Ming Painting – “Birds and Flowers”, 16c

Ming Painting and Calligraphy, early 16c

Imperial China’s Impact on History  Removed religion from morality.  Beginnings of political philosophy through which a ruler must prove he/she is legitimate.  Mandate of Heaven  Secular law.  Valued history --> The Dynastic Cycle