CH 16

6th hour
Ming Dynasty: 1368-1644, founded by Ming Hong Wu by overthrowing the mongols.
Under mings emperors, they expanded china’s rule into Mongolia and Central Asia.

Emperors strengthened Great Wall of China.

Ming was under a Centralized Government.

Rulers renovated the Grand Canal, making it possible to ship grain and other goods from Southern to
Northern China.

In the 1630’s, a major epidemic greatly reduced the population in many areas.

Suffering caused by the epidemic helped spark a peasant revolt led by Li Zichenburg.
 Ming Dynasty Continued;
Farming and hunting people who lived northeast of the Great Wall in the area known today as Manchus.

Emperor Ming ruled 1368 to 1398, his son Yong Le became emperor after his death. Le became emperor
after a four year campaign to defeat the rightful heir.

Emperor Yong Le built monuments, strengthened the Great Wall, and restored chinese rule in Vietnam to
establish his legitimacy.

In 1406, Yong began Construction on the Imperial City in Beijing, after great success in the building they
moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Known as the Forbidden City, was home to emperors for 500
years. Yong died in 1424.

Overthrow of the Ming Dynasty created a opportunity for the Manchus. Created the Qing dynasty after
they took over the Ming.
2 The Qing Dynasty
The Manchu government were in control of China.

● The Chinese rebelled against their new rulers and took the island of Taiwan.
● Males were ordered to dress a certain way and braid their hair head into a pigtail called a queue
“Lose your hair or lose your head”
● Manchus were accepted as time passed
● Manchu was only 2% of population (either nobility or banners)
1. Manchus were legally distinct (or legally considered better) than everyone else
● Banners were separated military units
● Kangxi: (ruled from 1661 to 1722) was a strong leader, tolerant, and loved by scholars
● Qianlong: (ruled from 1736 to 1795) ruled during a time of great prosperity and and China’s largest
physical size
3 Western Impact on Asia
China was at the height of its power as the most magnificent civilization on Earth.

The Portuguese soon outrage chinese officials with their behavior.

The Portuguese had little impact on chinese.

Portuguese ships carried goods back and forth between China and Japan, but direct trade between Europe and china still remained
limited.

The Jesuits, a catholic order that focused on education and establishing missions were most active.

Chinese scholars marveled at their ability to read better with European eyeglasses.
4 Chinese Cultural Developments
Population increased from less than 80 million in 1390 to more than 300 million at the end of the
1700’s.

The population increase meant less land was available for each family.

In this period there was steady growth in manufacturing and increased trade between provinces.

In architecture, the most outstanding example is the Imperial City in Beijing. Emperor Yong Le
began construction of the Imperial City- a complex of palaces and temples-in 1406.

The decorative arts also flourished in this period.(The blue and white porcelain is the most popular)
5 Tokugawa Culture
● Before the Tokugawa rulers established control in the federal system the
state was divided into 250 separate territories called HANS, or domains.
● Each domain was ruled by a daimyo
○ Daimyoś were independent, because they can support themselves from taxes on their lands
● Hostage system: daimyo required to maintain 2 residences
● The tokugawa rule brought a period known as the ¨Great Peace¨ the samurai
who had served the daimyo gradually ceased to be a warrior class
6 Economic & Social changes in Japan
1750,Edo had a population of million, and one of the largest cities in the world.

Some farm families benefited by exploiting the growing demand for cash crops.

Four main social classes: warriors, peasants, artisans, and merchants.

Below these classes were Japan's outcast, the Eta.

Paper money became the normal medium of exchange in business transactions.

7) Daily life in China
Chinese society was organized around the family. The family was expected to
provide for its members needs, including the education of children, support of
unmarried daughters, and take care of the elderly. All family members were
expected to sacrifice their individual needs to benefit the family as a whole. The
ideal family unit during the Qing dynasty was the extended family. There were also
clans, which consisted of dozens, or even hundreds, of related families. The clan
system made it possible for wealthier families to help poorer relatives. Only males
could have a formal education and pursue a career in government or scholarship.
A feature during daily life in Chinese society was foot binding, women with bound
feet were more marriageable than those who did not. The process began in
childhood and was very painful.
Tokugawa Dynasty
3 Great Unifiers

● Oda Nobunga
● Toyotomi Hideyoshi
● Tokugawa leyasu

Tokugawa Rule

● Established control of the fed system

● 250 separated called Hans
● The shoganate controlled the daimyo by a hastage system

Much popular literature was called Matsuo Basho

9) Yi dynasty/Korea
● Began in 1392
● Yi song gye overthrew Koryo dynasty starting Yi dynasty
● Lasted 5 centuries (one of the longest-lasting monarchies in the world)
● Patterned society after China
● Developed unique alphabet called hangul
● Hangul id a phonetically based writing system
● Weakened im late 16th and early 17th century
● Japanese force under Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded korea in the late 16th
century
● Isolated itself and became known as “the Hermit Kingdom”
● Manchus attacked in early 17th century
● Yi dynasty surrendered and became under chinese rule