1. Yuan vs. Ming Who were the leaders? What were the strengths?
What were the weaknesses?
What happened to these empires?

2. Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan dynasty was different than the ones before it because the leaders weren’t Chinese- they were Mongols
The Mongols were a tribe of nomads from the north
These nomads were fierce and they terrorized people throughout Asia

3. Yuan Leaders
Genghis Khan- a brutal leader who conquered northern China, wrecking towns, killing people and ruining farmland
Kublai Khan- Genghis’ grandson, he conquered the rest of China and made himself emperor
His dynasty is called the Yuan dynasty

4. Yuan Talents The Yuan dynasty was known for
Conquering other people with their powerful and brutal army
Trading: soldiers kept trade routes safe for merchants, welcomed foreign traders into China
Public works: used taxes to improve the Grand Canal, fix roads, create a postal system

5. Yuan Weaknesses
Too much conquering! Mongols tried to take over Japan and were defeated
Weak economy: expensive public projects weakened the empire

6. Outcome
The Yuan dynasty fell when Chinese got fed up with Mongol rule and overthrew the dynasty
The weakened Mongol rulers couldn’t stop the rebellion
Japanese Samurai defeat Mongols

7. Ming Dynasty Leader: Zhu Yuanzhang
He was a former monk who took charge of a rebel army and defeated the Mongols in China
Created a stable and prosperous dynasty

8. Ming Talents The Ming dynasty was known for:
Building: built the Forbidden City- a city with hundreds of buildings that only the rich and powerful could go in. Also restored the Great Wall
Sailing: Zheng He sailed around Asia, to Africa, had a huge fleet with 25,000 sailors and 300 ft. long boats
Protecting power: Ming emperors kept power to themselves

9. Forbidden City satellite view
Zheng He’s voyages

10. Ming Weaknesses
Isolationism- a policy of avoiding contact with other countries
During the Ming dynasty, China banned foreign trade and stopped sailing to foreign lands

11. Outcome
Due to isolationism, China’s glory faded as the Western world made huge technological advances without them

12. Now we know…
Who was Genghis Khan?

13. Now we know…
How did the Mongols gain control of China?

14. Now we know…
Who was Zheng He? What did he do?

15. Now we know…
What is isolationism?

16. Now we know…
Trade and other contact with peoples far from China stopped under which dynasty?
Yuan
Song
Ming
Sui

17. Now we know…
What was the name of the palace complex with hundreds of structures built during the Ming dynasty?