Ming Dynasty Overview and Exploration

Ming Dynasty

• Established by the Ming Dynasty, ushering in a period of peace and order
• Ruled with an iron fist, punishing suspected traitors and disloyal individuals
• Emperor's power centralized in Beijing
• Reinstated the civil service exam
• Conducted censuses to determine tax obligations
• Investment in infrastructure with canals and roads
• Economic growth and agricultural prosperity
• Increased food availability
• Emphasis on arts and literature, including popular novels composed in vernacular language
• Expanded Chinese naval power through extensive voyages of exploration.

Chinese Exploration and Zheng He

• Extensive naval expeditions to demonstrate Chinese power
• Zheng He's voyages included trade of Chinese goods (silk, porcelain)
• Returned with exotic goods (e.g., giraffes)
• Internal criticism of the expensive voyages grew, leading to their eventual cessation
• Voyages introduced foreign ideas.

Arrival of Europeans

• Portuguese ships arrived, initiating trade relations
• Initially met with suspicion and hostility
• Gradual acceptance of trade
• Christianity faced resistance.

Fall of Ming Dynasty

• Corrupt officials took control, taxing farmers heavily
• Peasant uprisings contributed to the dynasty's decline.

Mongol Empire

• Nomadic lifestyle organized into clans
• Reliant on livestock (horses, sheep, and yaks)
• Highly skilled warriors known for horsemanship
• Genghis Khan unified Mongol tribes and established a strong legal code
• Large standing army with skilled and loyal military leaders
• Imperial expansion by conquest and tribute demands

Mongol Conquest of China

• Kublai Khan continued conquest and established the Yuan dynasty as rulers
• Mongol rulers maintained cultural separation
• Mongol leaders filled key Chinese official positions to maintain control
• Mongol culture and traditions were prominent
• A separate administrative structure was implemented

Government and Religion During Mongol Rule

• Civil service exams were not used
• Open to foreigners
• Increased trade and stability
• Marco Polo's travel and writings documented the empire

Chinese Empire Rebuilding

• The Sui Dynasty unified China politically and physically with new infrastructure like the Grand Canal to facilitate trade across regions.
• Rebuilding of infrastructure like the Grand Canal connecting the Huang He and Chang Jiang rivers

The Tang Dynasty

• A period of strong central government administration and significant economic expansion for 300 years
• Taizong was a powerful ruler, restoring the civil service exam
• Land distribution to farmers led to peace and order.
• Continued economic and cultural prosperity, including development of major cities and trade.
• Notable female ruler Empress Wu
• Decline occurred from rebellions and internal weakness.

Song Dynasty

• Characterized by a strong central government and notable commercial and technological advancements
• Strongest, most centralized government.
• Cultural achievements in landscape painting
• Shift of the capital south

Buddhism in China

• Brought to China by traders and missionaries
• Provided a solace during challenging periods
• Buddhist monks and nuns helped communities
• Widespread adoption in spite of some oppositions to its wealth and perceived threat to existing social structures

Revival of Confucianism

• Neo-Confucian ideas focused on worldly matters and helping others
• Blending of Buddhist and Daoist beliefs within a Confucian framework
• Reform of beliefs to appeal to a wider range of people

Civil Service System

• Reinforced a strong government
• Reduced the potential for corruption
• Exam system favored wealthy candidates who could afford tutoring
• High attrition rate, with only a small percentage of candidates passing
• Successful candidates served in government positions, while less successful ones became teachers.