Ming China Flashcards
Location
China
Capital
Nanjing
Important People
Zhu Yuan Zhang / Hongwu Emperor; Zheng He; Yongle Emperor / Zhu Di
Zhu Yuan Zhang
1st Emperor; Leader of the peasant rebellion against the Mongol government; Establishes capital at Nanjing; Ruthless when re-establishing Chinese traditions
Zheng He
Better organizational and navigational skills than anyone; 7 Voyages to announce the return of the Chinese + Re-establish tribute system; Used technology (gunpowder, shipbuilding)
Yongle
Maintained China’s military position; Extend their strength into including a powerful navy - Funded 7 voyages; Receive tribute and conducted trade
Government
Built the Forbidden City - Shows distrust + Paranoid about their own people; Re-establish old systems (Tradition); Restores tribute system
Foreign Relationships
No tolerance of others; Persecuted all Mongols in China or forced them to only marry Chinese people; Doesn’t want trouble caused by foreign groups; Mongols adopted Chinese religion; Borders are protected / closed; Isolation after Zheng He’s death; Abandoned navy; No cultural diffusion; Less opportunities for minorities and foreigners because China is closing inward.
Religion
Promote Confucianism; Offers legitimacy; Return to old dominant form; Civil - service
Art
Mostly restored art from the past; Ming porcelain; Old forms of poetry; Invented novel; Architecture in Beijing and Nanjing; Literature and Philosophy; Zheng He spread information on plants, animals, and people of different parts of the world - Physical geography
Economy
Change currency back to the old way; Reclaimed farmland from pasture; Huge food surplus
Ming Women
Don’t get same opportunity as men; Women were pushed out (in cities); Has to act more restrictive; Concubines - Treated like slaves / items; Foot binding - willingness to obey; Limited social mobility and power of females
