1. Section 4: The Yuan and Ming Dynasties
China
Section 4: The Yuan and Ming Dynasties

2. The Mongol Empire The Mongols
Nomadic people from northern China
Temujin was a powerful leader who united them and was given the new title Genghis Khan (“Universal Ruler”)
Genghis Khan led the Mongols on bloody expeditions of conquest
Attacked much of Asia and Eastern Europe
Within 20 years, he ruled a large part of Asia
By the time of his death, all of northern China was under Mongol control

3. Kublai Khan did not force the Chinese to accept Mongol ways of life
Genghis’s grandson
Became ruler of the Mongol Empire
Completed the conquest of China and named himself ruler
He began the Yaun Dynasty, a period that some call the Mongol Ascendancy
Kublai Khan did not force the Chinese to accept Mongol ways of life
Some Mongols adopted aspects of Chinese culture like Confucianism
The Mongols placed heavy taxes on the Chinese
Much of this money went to pay for public-works projects
The Yaun: extended the Grand Canal, built new roads and palaces, and built a new capital, Dadu.

4. The Chinese rebelled against the Yuan dynasty
Marco Polo
Italian merchant
Highly respected by the Mongols
Served in Kublai Khan’s court
Mongols invaded Japan
The Mongols encountered violent storms and fierce defenders destroyed most of the Mongol force
This weakened the Mongol military
The Chinese rebelled against the Yuan dynasty
Zhu Yuanzhang led his rebel army in a final victory over the Mongols giving control back to the Chinese

5. The Ming Dynasty Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor of China
Founded the Ming dynasty
Ming China was one of the most stable and prosperous times in Chinese history
The Ming were known for improving their ships and sailing and incredible building projects
The Forbidden City
Palace complex
Common people were not allowed to enter the complex
Appointed censors
Officials sent throughout China to investigate the behavior of local leaders and to judge the quality of schools and other institutions

6. Isolationism was instituted during the Ming dynasty
Policy of avoiding contact with other countries