1. The Ming Dynasty of China

2. The Ming Dynasty Began in 1368 after the Mongol Dynasty was overthrown
Under Ming leaders, China extended into Mongolia and Asia
Led by Ming Hong Wu until 1398
Strengthened the Great Wall
Very effective and loved leaders
Good things Ming leaders did for China:
Nationwide school system
Civil Service Examination
Factories and food production was high
Renovated the Grand Canal which increased trade

3. Emperor Yong Le When Ming Hong Wu died, his son Yong Le became emperor
Built large monuments, strengthened the Great Wall and restored Chinese rule over Vietnam
In 1406 he built the Imperial City in Beijing
Known today as Forbidden City
Home to Chinese Emperors for 500 years

4. Voyages of Zheng He Yong Le sent Zheng He on a number of naval voyages
Had a huge name of 28K men and 62 ships
HUGE ships (440 ft vs Columbus’ 75 ft)
Visited Southeast Asia, India and East Africa
Brought lots of new items like giraffes
Voyages were very profitable
Lots of people thought that trading with others should be forbidden
Stopped naval voyages after Yong Le’s death

5. First Contact with West
In 1514 Portuguese arrived near China
Chinese thought of Portuguese as barbarians
Chinese kicked Portuguese out of Guangzhou but let them stay in Macao
Port. brought Christian missionaries, glasses, clocks
Chinese gave Port. the teachings of Confucius, books and printing, and Chinese architecture

6. Fall of the Ming Dynasty
The late 1500’s brought weak rulers
Lots of corruption in the gov’t
High taxes led to peasant unrest
Low production of food left people hungry
In the 1630’s there was a major epidemic of disease
Thousands died
Li Zicheng led a peasant revolt
By 1644 they occupied the Beijing
Last Ming emperor hung himself in the gardens
The Manchus (from Manchuria) invaded
Defeated Li Zicheng’s army
Declared the new Qing (meaning “pure”) dynasty
Will remain in power from