Ming Dynasty Overview and Zheng He

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was a significant economic development during the Song Dynasty?

Decline in agricultural productivity

Establishment of trade routes to Europe

Expansion of military territories

Introduction of paper currency (correct)

Which emperor of the Ming Dynasty is known for defeating the Mongols?

Hongwu Emperor (correct)

Yongle Emperor

Zhengde Emperor

Kublai Khan

What characterized the governance of the Song Dynasty compared to other dynasties?

Focused solely on agriculture

Reliant on tribal alliances

Commercial and cultural powerhouse (correct)

Expansionist and militaristic

What social class structure was established during the Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan?

Mongols, Semu, Northern Chinese, Southern Chinese Signup and view all the answers

Which feature significantly marked the Yongle Emperor's reign?

Construction of the Forbidden City Signup and view all the answers

What was a major religious and philosophical response during the Song Dynasty?

Neo-Confucianism's revival Signup and view all the answers

What role did civil service examinations play in the Song Dynasty?

Promoted meritocracy in civil service Signup and view all the answers

Which technological advancement is attributed to the Song Dynasty?

Movable type printing Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary reason for the difficulty in unifying Japan during the Muromachi Period?

Frequent civil wars Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for fully unifying Japan in 1603?

Tokugawa Ieyasu Signup and view all the answers

How did the Tokugawa Shogunate view merchants in society?

As a negative influence Signup and view all the answers

What cultural practice was notably developed by women during the Tokugawa period?

Haiku poetry Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant effect of the isolationist policies during the Edo period?

Curbing foreign influences Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the growing population and cities in Tokugawa Japan?

Massive famine in the 1780s Signup and view all the answers

What stance did Shogun Hideyoshi take regarding Christianity in Japan?

He prohibited it outright Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the structure of the Tokugawa social hierarchy?

Warriors -> Farmers -> Artisans -> Merchants Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant reason for the rapid population growth in China during the discussed period?

Increased agricultural productivity Signup and view all the answers

How did the Tokugawa shogunate maintain control over the Daimyo after coming to power?

By requiring them to spend part of the year in Edo Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the shoguns' isolationist policies in Japan?

To prevent the spread of foreign religions Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the rise in Neo-Confucianism during the Ming Dynasty?

Rejection of Buddhism and Daoism Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of the Ming Dynasty emperors limiting foreign affairs after Zheng He's voyages?

Isolation from technological advancements Signup and view all the answers

Which system was established in Japan that allowed for a centralized feudal government?

Bakufu system Signup and view all the answers

Who was the notable explorer that led voyages to the Indian Ocean for the Ming Dynasty?

Zheng-He Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following figures is associated with the introduction of Western sciences and Christianity to China during the late Ming Dynasty?

Matteo Ricci Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical movement gained prominence during the Ming Dynasty, emphasizing moral integrity and maintaining social harmony?

Neo-Confucianism Signup and view all the answers

Which title refers to the military leaders in Japan who were powerful feudal lords during the Sengoku period?

Daimyo Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty succeeded the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in 1368.
The Red Turban army, led by a peasant named Hongwu Emperor, defeated the Mongols.
Hongwu Emperor was a tyrannical and paranoid ruler, focused on agriculture and anti-corruption.
He reduced the power of bureaucrats and eunuchs.
A secret police was created to eliminate opponents of the emperor.
Yongle Emperor, Hongwu's successor, moved the capital to Beijing.
He sent ambassadors to other countries to seek tribute.
The Forbidden City, a gigantic imperial palace complex, was built in Beijing by roughly one million workers.
It served as the center of the imperial government for around 500 years.

Ming Dynasty - Zheng He

Zheng He was a Muslim admiral.
He undertook seven voyages for Yongle Emperor, displaying the emperor's power and might.
Zheng He's voyages reached Southeast Asia, India, and parts of East Africa.
He commanded a large fleet with over 60 ships and 27,000 sailors.
However, subsequent emperors stopped the voyages, due to their cost and perceived lack of benefit to China.

Ming Dynasty - Turn Inward

Emperor Zhengtong ended the voyages.
The voyages were seen as too expensive.
China focused on strengthening its borders and internal affairs.
China fortified the Great Wall, returning to a focus on defending its territory.
Europeans made contact in the late 16th century.
The Portuguese established a presence in Macau in 1557.
Jesuit missionaries, particularly Matteo Ricci, arrived in China.
They tried to convert the Chinese to Christianity by learning the Chinese language.

Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty followed the Tang Dynasty in 960.
The Song Dynasty capital was at Kaifeng, in the Huang He valley.
The Song Dynasty joined forces with the Jin Dynasty to fight nomads.
The Jin Dynasty double-crossed the Song Dynasty, forcing them to relocate their capital to Hangzhou in 1127.
This migration resulted in the largest migration of the time in China, bolstering the Song Dynasty's economy.
The Song Dynasty focused on trade, establishing a powerful commercial boom. This boom was comparable in scale to the later Industrial Revolution.
Advancements in silk production, iron and steel foundries, new rice strains, and paper money contributed to the economic growth.
The Song Dynasty was not focused on expansion.
They focused on trade and economic growth, but also maintained a strong military presence, especially during the earlier stages of the dynasty.
The Song Dynasty saw a revival of Confucianism in response to Buddhism and Daoism.
This revival spurred civil service examinations and increased literacy, resulting in a highly meritocratic civil service.
Neo-Confucianism emphasized metaphysics, ethical behavior, and self-denial versus self-development.

Mongols

The Mongols replaced Chinese officials with Mongol officials.
The Mongols created social classes that discriminated against the Chinese.
Various Mongol classes ranked higher than the different classes of Chinese people. This was especially so under the Yuan Dynasty, particularly when comparing Mongols to N. Chinese to S. Chinese.
The Mongol rule was characterized by high taxes on the Chinese peasantry.
A plague swept through China in the 1340s.
Rule in China was divided into various Khanates, ruled separately by different members of the imperial family.
Under Kublai Khan, the Mongols conquered the Song Dynasty in 1279.
The Mongols moved the capital to Beijing and established the Pax Mongolica.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the key events of the Ming Dynasty, including the rise of the Hongwu Emperor and the establishment of the Forbidden City. Delve into the maritime expeditions of Admiral Zheng He, showcasing the dynasty's influence and power across Asia and Africa.