The Ming Dynasty1368 - 1644

Marissa GrayPd. 2

• In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang drove the Mongols from South Asia and captured Beijing.

• With the decline of the previous dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty, Yuanzhang claimed the Mandate of Heaven.

Leaders

• Zhu Yuanzhang – called himself the Ming Hung Wu, set up the Ming Dynasty, first ruler

Leaders cont.

• Ming emperors wanted the greatness of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 A.D.) and the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279 A.D.) restored in this time period.

Achievements

• Confucian teachings were revisited from previous periods.

• The civil service expanded.• Many famous artists became known: Ni Zan,

Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, Wen Zhengming, Qiu Ying and Dong Qichang

• Literary achievement also prospered.• Modernized and expanded The Great Wall.

The Great Wall

Ni Zan

Dong Qichang

WenZheng-ming

Events

• Several huge fleets explored Southeast Asia, India, and the coast of East Africa to renew trading ties and regain Chinese authority at sea.

• But soon after, the fleets stopped sailing, which is unexplainable by historians.

Contact with other cultures

• Contact was cut off with the world.• Chinese citizens were not approved to travel

abroad and foreigners could not come in.• This separation occurred when new

technologies were created and new lands discovered by Europe.

• As Europe became more advanced, the Chinese were falling.

Ming Dynasty Background