1. East Asia: Ming, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam
Wednesday, October 25th

2. The Early Ming Empire
Ming Empire: Empire based in China that overthrew the Yuan (Mongol) dynasty
Hongwu: Ming emperor who moved the capital to Nanking (Nanjing) and imposed strict limits on imports and foreign visitors (move away from Mongol policies)

3. The Early Ming Empire
Zheng He: An explorer during the Ming Empire who travelled through the Indian Ocean from SE Asia to Africa

4. The Early Ming Empire Zheng He A Muslim and a eunuch
Large fleets (over 300 ships)
Ships as long as 400 feet (Columbus’ ships were 85 feet long)
Distributed gifts (gold, silk, spices) to 16 countries who then paid tribute to China

5. The Early Ming Empire

6. The Early Ming Empire
Reactivation of the examination system for recruiting government officials drew large numbers of men into a renewed study of the Confucian classics
This shift reduced the vitality of commerce, where they had previously been employed, just as population growth was creating a labor surplus

7. The Early Ming Empire
Used gunpowder to activate mines, build canals, and channel irrigation
The best known product of Ming technological advancement was porcelain

8. Korea: From the Mongols to the Choson Dynasty
Korea was controlled by the Mongols and gave them an avenue to the sea
This Mongol influence lasted until they recognized the new Ming Empire in China
The new Korean kingdom was called Choson

9. Political Transformation in Japan
The Mongols tried and failed to conquer Japan several times
In once such attack, the Mongols sent 140,000 soldiers and thousands of horses in hundreds of ships. They were unable to land due to a wall that the Japanese had built along the coastline. The Japanese boarded many of the ships and used their superior swords to cut down many Mongol soldiers. Eventually, a kamikaze, or “divine wind” came in the form of a typhoon and sank half of the Mongol ships. The rest fled soon after.

11. Political Transformation in Japan
Two Shogunates during this time
Shogunate: Rule by a military leader called a Shogun
System developed similar to European Feudalism
Shogun = King
This Shogun gave land and privileges to nobles and samurai in exchange for tribute and military support, just as kings gave land and privileges to nobles and knights