Transcript The Yuan and Ming Dynasties - Willoughby

Ch 14 Section 4
The Yuan and Ming Dynasties
I. The Mongol Empire
A.
The Mongol Conquest
1. Genghis Khan organized the Mongols into a
powerful army
2. They terrorized people throughout much of Asia
3. Genghis and army were responsible for destroying
many lives in the cities and villages they conquered
4. First led armies into Northern China in 1211
5. Genghis died in 1227 and all of Northern China was
under his Mongol control
6. Kublai Khan became ruler in 1260
7. He declared himself emperor in 1279 of China
8. This began the Yuan Dynasty, the first time China
was ever ruled by outsiders
B. Life in Yuan China
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mongolians had a very different culture than the
Chinese
Kublai Khan did not force the Chinese to accept the
Mongol way of life
They did prohibit Confucian scholars from gaining too
much power in government
Mongols made the Chinese pay heavy taxes
Mongols extended the Grand Canal and built new
roads and palaces and helped to keep the Silk Road
safe
Maritime trade continued and welcomed foreign
traders
C. The End of the Yuan Dynasty
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mongols decided to invade Japan
Campaigns were disastrous – violent storms
and fierce defenders destroyed much of the
Mongol force
Weakened economy and military made China
ripe for rebellion
In the 1300s many Chinese groups rebelled
against the Yuan Dynasty
A monk named Zhu Yuanzhang led army in
final victory over the Mongols
II. The Ming Dynasty
A.
Great Sea Voyages
1. Chinese improved their ships and
sailing skills
2. Greatest sailor was Admiral Zheng He
3. Boasted about China to others while
on voyages
B. Great Building Projects
1.
2.
3.
Ming were known for great building
projects
Built the “Forbidden City” in Beijing
Restored the Great Wall of China
III. China Under the Ming
A.
Government
1. Ming adopted many government programs
2. Abolished the offices of some powerful
officials and took a larger role in running the
government themselves
3. Ming did not disband civil services
4. Officials were sent throughout China to
judge quality of schools and other institutions
B. Relations with Other Countries
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ming emperor banned foreign trade
China entered a period of isolationism
1644 the Ming dynasty was overthrown
Late 1800s the Western world made
huge leaps in technological progress
Westerners were able to gain influence
in Chinese affairs