1. The Ming Dynasty
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2. Zhu Yuangzhang -Established the Ming dynasty in 1368
-The period of the Ming dynasty proved to one of the most stable and prosperous in China’s history.
-China became well known overseas.
-Many great building projects were begun,

3. The Voyages of Zheng He
-Led a series of voyages around Asia between and 1433.
-Included very large ships, some over 300 feet long.
-The fleet sailed to Arabia and the East coast of Africa.
-Zheng He presented gifts everywhere the fleet landed.
-These voyages showed the world that China was very powerful.

4. Building projects: The Forbidden City
-Built as a palace complex in Beijing.
-Designed to impress the Chinese people as well as foreigners.
-The city is comprised of approximately 1,000 building and 9,000 rooms!
-Called the forbidden city because common people were not allowed inside.

5. Building projects: The Great wall
-Originally built during Qin (chin) Dynasty, the wall was restored during the Ming dynasty.
-Large numbers of people worked to rebuild the wall.
-It averaged 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide at the top.
-The wall was approximately 2,000 miles long!
-Protected the empire against invaders from the North.

6. China under the Ming
The government worked to eliminate all foreign influence from Chinese society.
As a result, China’s relationships with other countries changed.
The government was structured much like the Tang and Song dynasties (civil service).
Ming emperors were very powerful and punished anyone who disagreed with them.
Censors monitored schools and other institutions.

7. Relations with other countries change…
During the 1430’s, the emperor forced Zheng He to dismantle his fleet.
Foreign trade was also banned
China entered a long period of period of isolationism that lasted from 1644 to 1912.

8. Isolationism discussion.
How do you think isolationism affected China?
Do you think a government should limit outside cultural influences?
If the U.S. were isolationist, how would our lives be different?
Do you think the U.S. is too involved in world affairs…or not enough?