Ming China Overview

The Ming Dynasty, founded by Zhu Yuanzhang, rose from rebellions against Mongol rule, marking a shift from Yuan to native Chinese leadership.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming, prioritized a conservative, agrarian society centered on agriculture and traditional Confucian values.

The Yellow Registers (1381) were a system used for detailed population records in Ming China, recording hereditary occupational statuses.

The Ming implemented a system of land division into 'fiscal mu' (1387) for taxation and maintenance, but updating these registers posed ongoing challenges to the government.

The Yongle Emperor aimed to demonstrate strong leadership through large-scale projects (e.g., moving the capital back to Beijing and building the Grand Canal).

Zheng He led vast maritime expeditions (1405-1433) across the Indian Ocean, often presented as diplomatic efforts.

Ming China expanded into Southeast Asia, establishing administrative posts but also engaging in military actions to control regions like Vietnam.

Zheng He's voyages and expansion were often influenced by eunuchs, who had significant power within the Ming imperial court.

Succession challenges after Zhu Yuanzhang's death led to political conflict in the early years of the Ming, replacing the initial heir with another son.

A system in Ming China for supervising households' adherence to duties, which was often managed through complex financial systems.

Confucian ideals, particularly the emphasis on social hierarchy and the ruler-subject relationship, reinforced the authority and power of the imperial court.

The exam system, controlled by the state, provided a path to power through merit. While open to most men, it favored elites who could dedicate themselves to studying, leading to a distinctive class of educated officials.

The exam system promoted a shared set of Confucian values and fostered a community of educated elites who held key positions in government and society.

While the exam system was presented as meritocratic, critics argue it was not truly fair. Elite families had advantages in access to education, making the system more meritocratic within the elite class but less so outside it.

The Ming Dynasty built the Great Wall around 1442 to protect Han settlers from Jurchen and Mongol threats, further extending it in 1467 to secure the region from Jianzhou Jurchens.

The early Ming Dynasty attempted to claim the legacy of the Mongols, initially taking a strong stance on the steppe to secure their borders.

In 1449, the Mongol leader Esen Taishi ambushed and defeated the Ming army, capturing the emperor. This event exposed critical weaknesses in Ming military strategy and frontier defenses.

The mid-15th century saw a decline in the Ming military's effectiveness, potentially contributing to the Tumu Incident and exposing vulnerabilities in their defense against Mongol threats.

The Ming emperor Zhengtong was captured by the Mongols in 1449, leading to a political crisis and his brother's ascension to the throne.

The Zhengtong Emperor's brother ascended to the throne as the Jingtai Emperor following his capture, but his rule was marked by political instability and the need to manage the Mongol threat.

After failing to leverage the captured Zhengtong Emperor for political gain, the Mongol leader Esen Taishi released him in 1450, highlighting shifting power dynamics within Mongol politics.

The capture of the Zhengtong Emperor prompted the Ming dynasty to prioritize strengthening the Great Wall to prevent future Mongol invasions.

Yi Zijun proposed building a new section of the Great Wall at the southern edge of the Ordos region, a crucial strategic location.

Construction of the Great Wall resumed in the mid-16th century, focusing on building sections in the west, moving eastward, and eventually reaching northeast of Beijing.

The Great Wall faced several limitations, including vulnerabilities to Mongol bypasses, poorly guarded sections, and logistical challenges in maintaining the massive structure.

Despite its size and presence, the Great Wall ultimately failed to prevent the Manchu invasion and the fall of the Ming dynasty in 1644.

The 'gekokujō jidai' refers to a period in late Muromachi/Ashikaga Japan (1550s) where low-ranking men rose to prominence, challenging the traditional power structure and leading to a dynamic shift in social and political landscape.

Oda Nobunaga was a powerful daimyo who emerged during the 'gekokujō jidai' and is famous for his ambition to reunify Japan. He controlled large swathes of land, including Owari and Mikawa, and consolidated his power through military prowess and strategic alliances.

Nobunaga's growing power and ambition to unify Japan created a wave of resistance amongst various factions. His successful expansion and effective leadership led to alliances forming to counter his influence.

Nobunaga granted his followers control over territories he conquered but remained the ultimate authority. These subordinates were expected to fight under his direction and could be transferred between fiefs.

Nobunaga established a model of centralized rule, where he controlled a large network of subordinates who were granted fiefs but ultimately served him. This allowed him to exert dominance over a vast region and paved the way for a unified Japan.

After Oda Nobunaga's assassination, Toyotomi Hideyoshi took control of the country, despite Oda's grandson technically being the head of the clan.

Hideyoshi's policy to disarm rural samurai and peasants by collecting their weapons, using some of the metal to build the giant Buddha statue at Hōkōji.

Hideyoshi aimed to conquer both Korea and China, leading to a devastating war that impacted Korea significantly.

These Korean warships helped to outmaneuver Japanese ships during Hideyoshi's invasion, demonstrating the innovative naval technology of the Korean navy.

This battle in 1600 marked the victory of Tokugawa Leyasu, establishing his dominance and ultimately leading to his becoming the shogun.

An early form of colonialism where European powers would establish foreign settlements, aiming to extract resources and influence.

Eunuchs were disliked by Confucian scholar-officials who were selected through the exam system. This was due to perceived power imbalances and competition for influence.

Eunuchs were blamed for all sorts of failures during the Ming Dynasty, often unfairly, as they were seen as an easy target due to their lack of traditional power.

These reforms aimed to transition Ming China's taxation system from goods and labor to a single, silver-based tax.

Silver became crucial for Ming China's economy during the 16th century due to its influx from Japan and the Americas. It was used as money and a valuable commodity.

The Northern Song Dynasty used anonymous civil service exams to curtail the power of military leaders and aristocrats, promoting meritocracy.

The imperial exam process involved multiple stages: licentiate, provincial, and metropolitan exams, culminating in the highest 'jinshi' degree.

This was where the higher levels of the imperial exams, including the metropolitan and palace exams, were held under strict conditions.

Elite boys in Ming China were dedicated to memorizing classical texts from a young age. Many spent a lifetime preparing for the exams, making it a central part of their lives.

The exam system was vital for the imperial state, as it reinforced state ideology, recruited officials, and ensured social order through controlled reproduction of elites.