The Ming Dynasty,

1
The Ming Dynasty,

• 1368-1644

2
Chinese Culturalism

• Great era of orderly government and social
  stability in human history
• Average population of 100 million
• Political system continues after Ming
• Fundamental changes in the west not felt in
  Chinas experience
• Falls behind west economic and technology

3
Chinese Culturalism

• Change within tradition
• No ideology of progress like in the west
• Deep resentment for the alien Mongols and all
  things foreign
• Lack of interest for anything outside Chinese
  tradition
• Narrow ethnocentrism culturalism

4
Chinese Culturalism

• Similar to nationalism, but no nation state arose
  in the Chinese culture. Empire and culture began
  to be thought of together thus Chinese
  leadership uninterested in things foreign.

5
Rebellions and Disintegrations

• Disastrous 14th century frequent flooding and
  famines deplete Yuan granaries.
• Uprisings in nearly every province
• Growing independence of regional commanders
• People turn to millenarian sects Mongol
  government deteriorates to local power

6
White Lotus Society

• Known as Red Turbans, open rebellion in 1352
• Zhu Yuanzhang peasant background gains
  experience in White Lotus Society as general.
• Abandoning messianic radicalism, leads another
  rebellion against Mongols.

7
Early Ming, 1368-1424

• 1368 Seizes Beijing proclaims the Ming
  (Brilliant) dynasty
• Hong Wu (Vast Military Power) as Year Period but
  kept for entire reign established precedent.
• Taizu (Great ancestor) as Temple name

8
Ming Despotism

• Zhu increasingly concentrated power in his own
  hands
• Abolished the Imperial Secretariat Rule would
  be personal and direct
• Reigned in power and influence of eunuchs
• Eunuchs must have nothing to do with
  administration
• Limited rank and title imposed sumptuary laws
• Corporal punishment absolute fear
• Li-jia system to control country side

9
The Yongle Emperor

• Defeated second emperor in civil war
• Continued despotism of father
• Reconstructed Grand Canal
• Patron of Confucianism
• Frequent civil service exams
• Sponsored major scholarly projects, including
  Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist works

10
Tribute System

• Sent envoys to peripheral states announcing
  proclamation of the Ming and his ascension
• Establishment of suzerain-vassal relationship
  reconfirms Chinas culturalism
• China as parent and source of civilization
• Tributary performs the ke-tou imply subordinate
  position
• Not aggressive imperialism defensive expression
  of culturalism

11
Maritime Expeditions(1405-1433)

• Film 1421 The Year China discovered America