Transcript Ming Dynasty Part 1 - Porterville College

Ming Dynasty
1368-1664
(part 1)
5
Ming Dynasty:
1368-1664
Hong Wu
 Peasant orphan
 Raised by Buddhist Monks
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Joined Red Turbans millenarian movement
Emerged as leader of large military band
Overthrows Yuan and declares himself emperor
Ming Dynasty

Hong Wu takes
Nanjing in 1364
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Takes Beijing and
declares himself
emperor in 1368

Unifies his empire in
1370 CE
Ming
Achievements
Major reconstruction and
repopulation projects
 Repair Levies
 Repair Canals
 Repair Irrigation
 Lure population back to the
wheat basket plains of central
China with tax holiday and
free land in some cases
Ming’s Confucian Innovation
Censorate (emissary)
 Top secret, undercover investigator
 Check on loyalty and competence of government
officials
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Great potential to root out corruption
Not so great results


Too weak
Too easily captured by clan ties
Palace Compound: 1400s
“Forbidden City”
Main Entrance: Tienanmen
Gate of Heavenly Peace