Transcript The Ming and Qing Dynasties of China

In 1368, the Mongol dynasty fell and
the Ming emperors gained power.
It is important to remember that the
Chinese believed in the Mandate of
Heaven or the right to rule. The gods
selected the dynasty but could replace
a corrupt dynasty with a new dynasty.
Ming emperors constructed a
magnificent imperial palace in Beijing,
known as the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City was home to
all later emperors.
The Ming
emperors
expanded
Chinese
territory,
increased trade,
and even
sponsored
naval
expeditions.
Zheng He was an important Chinese
navigator. He led many Chinese
naval expeditions to South Asia,
Southwestern Asia, and Africa.
Eventually, the Chinese discontinued
the expeditions due to ethnocentrism.
The Chinese believed that they were
superior to other cultures.
The Chinese believed that they
were the “Middle Kingdom.”
They believed that they could
learn nothing important from other
inferior cultures.
The Ming
Emperors
decided to
end the naval
expeditions
and isolate
China. They
kept foreigners
out of China
and Chinese in
China.
Though China was very advanced
for the time period, isolationism
caused China to fall behind.
In 1644, the Manchus, a people from
northeast Asia, invaded and conquered
China.
The Manchu conquerors founded the
Qing of Ch’ing dynasty. Like the Mongols,
the Manchus adopted many Chinese
traditions like the civil service
examination.
However, the Manchus did force
Chinese men to wear their hair in
pigtails as a symbol that they had
submitted to Manchu rule. This is
the pigtail of the last emperor.
The Manchus improved roads and canals.
However, European technology surpassed
China. China’s isolation from the West
and the imperial resistance to change,
led China to fall behind.
Ming
Qing