Transcript Mongol to Ming Dynasties- A Survey: PowerPoint

Mongolian Steppes
Xinjiang Region – Typical Uygher [Mongol]
“Yurt”
Mongol Invasions
Mongol Warriors
Mongol Archer
Gold Saddle Arch –
Mongols, 13c
Gold Saddle, Front View
– Mongols, 13c
The MONGOLS
[“Golden Horde”]
 Temujin --> Genghis Khan [“Universal Ruler”]
1162 - 1227
 from the steppe [dry, grass-covered plains
of Central Asia]

The MONGOLS
[“Golden Horde”]
 Genghis Khan’s Tax Laws:
 If you do not pay homage,
we will take your prosperity.
 If you do not have prosperity,
we will take your children.
 If you do not have children,
we will take your wife.
 If you do not have a wife,
we will take your head.
 Used cruelty as a weapon --> some areas never
recovered from Mongol destruction!
Mongol Nobleman, late
13c
Robe of a Mongol
Nobleman, early 14c
Yuan Golden Bowl, 13c
The Extent of the Mongol Empire
Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty,
1279-1368 C.E.
 Kublai Khan [r. 1260-1294]

Pax Mongolica [“Mongol Peace”]
 Tolerated Chinese culture
but lived apart from them. 
 No Chinese in top govt. posts.
 Believed foreigner were more
trustworthy.
 Encouraged foreign trade &
foreign merchants to live and work
in China.
 Marco Polo
Marco Polo (12541324)
 A Venetian merchant.
 Traveled through Yuan
China: 1271-1295
 “Black Stones” [coal]
 Gunpowder.
 Noodles.
Marco Polo’s Travels
Yuan Porcelains &
Ceramics
Yuan Dynasty, 12791368 C.E.
 The Black Plague was spread by the
Mongols in the mid-14c.
 Sent fleets against Japan.
 1281 --> 150,000 warriors

Defeated by kamikazi [“winds of the gods”] 
 Kublai Khan experienced several
humiliating defeats in Southeast Asia
late in his life.
China’s last native imperial dynasty!
The Forbidden City: China’s New
Capital
Revived the Civil Service Exam
Ming Cultural Revolution
 Printing & Literacy
 Cheap, popular books:
 woodblock printing.
 cheap paper.
Examination system.
 Leads to explosion in
literacy. 
 Leads to further
popularization of the
commercial market.

 Culture & Art
 Increased literacy
leads to increased
interest in cultural
expressions, ideas,
and things:




Opera.
Literature.
Painting.
Ceramics.
Ming Silver Market
 Spanish Silver Convoys


Triangle route:
 Philippines to China to Japan.
Silver floods Chinese Market:
 Causes devaluation of currency & recession
 Adds to reasons for Chinese immigration
overseas.
 Reduces price of Chinese goods in Europe
 Increases interest in Chinese culture & ideas in
Europe.


Helps fund conquest of New World

Encourages Europeans in conquest & trade.
Ming Dynasty, 13681644 C.E.
 Golden Age of Chinese Art
 Moderation
 Softness
 Gracefulness
 Three different schools of
painting developed.
 Hundreds of thousands of
workers constructed the
Forbidden City.
Ming Emperor Tai Zu (r.
1368-1398)
The Tribute System
Admiral Zheng He
(Cheng Ho)
 Ming “Treasure Fleet”
 Each ship 400’ long & 160’ wide
 China’s “Columbus?”
1371-1435

Admiral Zheng He’s
Voyages
 First Voyage: 1405-1407 [62 ships; 27,800 men].
 Second Voyage: 1407-1409 [Ho didn’t go on this trip].
 Third Voyage: 1409-1411 [48 ships; 30,000 men].
 Fourth Voyage: 1413-1415 [63 ships; 28,500 men].
 Fifth Voyage: 1417-1419
 Sixth Voyage: 1421-1422
 Emperor Zhu Gaozhi cancelled future trips and ordered ship
builders and sailors to stop work.
 Seventh Voyage: 1431-1433
 Emperor Zhu Zhanji resumed the voyages in 1430 to restore
peaceful relations with Malacca & Siam
 100 ships and 27,500 men; Cheng Ho died on the return
trip.
 1498 --> Da Gama reached Calcutta, China’s favorite port.
Ming Porcelain /
Ceramics, 17c–18c
Ming Vases, 18c
Ming Carved Lacquer
Dish 15c
Ming Scroll Painting
“Travellers in Autumn
Mountains”
Ming Painting – “Taoist
Scholar”
Ming Painting – “Birds
and Flowers”, 16c
Ming Painting and
Calligraphy, early 16c
Imperial China’s Impact on
History
 Removed religion from morality.
 Beginnings of political philosophy
through which a ruler must prove
he/she is legitimate.

Mandate of Heaven
 Secular law.
 Valued history --> The Dynastic Cycle