Ming China 2017

Summary

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was a significant period in Chinese history, marked by a reaction against the Mongol rule and a return to traditional Chinese values. It saw advancements in technology, such as the creation of the world's largest naval fleet, and cultural developments like increased literacy and patronage of the arts. Despite its initial success, the dynasty faced challenges including overpopulation, economic issues, and moral decay, which contributed to its eventual fall. The Ming era also witnessed significant cultural exchanges with Europe, influencing both Chinese and global perspectives.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was a period of Chinese history marked by a reaction to the Mongol rule, aiming to reestablish traditional Chinese values and governance.
• 🌊 Despite initial modern elements, such as building a large and high-tech naval fleet, the Ming Dynasty ultimately favored isolationism and limited contact with continental Asia.
• 👑 The founder of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, rose from humble beginnings and led a rebellion to overthrow the Mongols, establishing a new Chinese-led dynasty.
• 🛡️ The Ming Dynasty is known for its military advancements, including the use of advanced weaponry and the construction of the Great Wall to protect against Mongol invasions.
• 🌳 The dynasty focused on agriculture and limited trade, implementing policies to encourage farming and the planting of trees for economic and defensive purposes.
• 🏗️ The Ming Dynasty saw significant construction projects, including the Forbidden City, which showcased the empire's wealth and organizational capabilities.
• 🚢 The Ming naval fleet undertook seven great voyages, utilizing advanced navigational tools like the magnetic compass and astrolabe, demonstrating China's maritime prowess.
• 📚 The Ming period was marked by a cultural revolution, with increased literacy and patronage of arts, leading to advancements in painting, ceramics, and printing.
• 📉 Economic challenges, including overpopulation, heavy taxation, and inflation, contributed to the decline of the Ming Dynasty.
• 🏰 The fall of the Ming Dynasty was influenced by internal strife, such as secret societies and moral bankruptcy, as well as external pressures from the Jurchen, who later established the Qing Dynasty.

Q & A

What was the Ming Dynasty's reaction to the previous Mongol rule in China?

The Ming Dynasty was a reaction to the Mongol rule, characterized by a return to traditional Chinese ideas and values. It was anti-foreign and limited trade with the rest of Eurasia.

How did the Ming Dynasty's approach to governance differ from the Mongols?

The Ming Dynasty focused on rebuilding the Chinese state based on agrarian trade and Confucian values, in contrast to the Mongols who developed a security system along the Silk Road and employed international banking systems.

What was the significance of the Ming Dynasty's naval fleet?

The Ming Dynasty built the world's most high-tech and largest naval fleet, capable of navigating the Indian Ocean for diplomatic and trade purposes, showcasing a modern motivation in contrast to their traditional policies.

Who was the founder of the Ming Dynasty and how did he rise to power?

The founder of the Ming Dynasty was Zhu Yuanzhang, who was born into chaos and learned to support himself as a beggar. He eventually gathered followers and managed to take control of China, proclaiming the new dynasty in 1368.

What were the key policies of the Ming Dynasty in terms of agriculture and taxation?

The Ming Dynasty's key policies included limiting trade with the rest of Eurasia, restoring the Confucian most important society, basing the taxation system on agriculture, and instituting a census system to ensure farmers paid their taxes.

How did the Ming Dynasty's approach to trade and economy differ from the Mongols?

While the Mongols focused on trade and developed a profitable trade network along the Silk Road, the Ming Dynasty limited trade and focused on rebuilding the economy based on agriculture.

What was the Ming Dynasty's stance on international relations and trade?

The Ming Dynasty was characterized by a conservative approach to international relations and trade, limiting contact with continental Asia and focusing on internal development.

How did the Ming Dynasty's policies affect the Chinese population and economy?

The Ming Dynasty's policies led to a reorganization of government, a refocus on agriculture, and a reestablishment of Confucian scholars in society, which helped to rebuild the economy and stabilize the population.

What technological advancements did the Ming Dynasty make in terms of naval exploration?

The Ming Dynasty made significant technological advancements in naval exploration, including the use of the magnetic compass, the astrolabe, and the ability to measure distance traveled, which allowed for extensive voyages into unknown territories.

What were the factors that led to the decline of the Ming Dynasty?

The decline of the Ming Dynasty was due to overpopulation, heavy taxation, a loss of land for agriculture, secret societies undermining government policies, and a sense of moral bankruptcy among Confucian scholars.

How did the Ming Dynasty's policies and cultural shifts influence China's position in the world?

The Ming Dynasty's policies and cultural shifts led to increased literacy, a thriving market system, and a cultural revolution that increased interest in Chinese culture and ideas abroad, despite the conservative approach to international trade.

Outlines

00:00

🏛 Ming Dynasty: A Return to Traditional Chinese Values

The Ming Dynasty, spanning from 1368 to 1644, was a period of reaction to the Mongol rule in China. It sought to reestablish Chinese traditions and values, distancing itself from the Mongols' focus on trade. The Ming rejected foreign contact and built the world's largest and most technologically advanced naval fleet, capable of navigating the Indian Ocean for diplomatic and trade purposes. The dynasty aimed to reorganize government and society based on Confucian ideals, with a focus on agriculture and a census system to ensure tax collection. Despite these modern motivations, the Ming Dynasty's policies were rooted in traditional Chinese views, including the rejection of foreign influence and a return to agrarian society.

05:07

🌳 Agricultural and Cultural Developments During the Ming Era

The Ming Dynasty's policies were characterized by a focus on agriculture and a return to traditional Chinese values. The government promoted the planting of mulberry trees to support the silk industry and other trees for shipbuilding and construction. To protect against Mongol invasions, the Great Wall was rebuilt and extended. The Ming Dynasty was known for its large and well-organized bureaucracy, which was ahead of its time, managing a population of nearly 400 million by the 17th century. The emperors of the Ming Dynasty expanded China's territory, including northern Vietnam, and implemented Confucian examinations for civil service. They also built the Forbidden City and sponsored the construction of large ships for the famous seven voyages, which utilized advanced technology like the magnetic compass and astrolabe, showcasing China's maritime prowess.

10:33

📉 The Decline of the Ming Dynasty: Overpopulation and Economic Struggles

The decline of the Ming Dynasty was largely due to overpopulation, which led to increased land taxes and a loss of available land for taxation. This, coupled with secret societies and gentry undermining government policies, contributed to a sense of moral bankruptcy. Economic issues such as inflation and heavy taxation further exacerbated the situation. By 1644, external pressures like the Jurchen, who later became the Manchu and established the Qing Dynasty, along with internal strife, led to the fall of the Ming Dynasty. The dynasty's conservative approach to politics and business created a stable but inflexible system that could not adapt to the changing economic and social conditions.

15:49

📚 Cultural and Economic Progress in the Ming Dynasty

Despite its conservative political stance, the Ming Dynasty saw significant cultural and economic progress. The era was marked by increased literacy, which in turn led to a flourishing of arts, including painting, ceramics, and printing. The Ming Dynasty's bureaucracy was well-organized and based on traditional laws and provisions, which contributed to a stable and predictable tax system. This stability created a positive business environment. The Ming Dynasty also saw the rise of a thriving market system and cultural expressions, indicating a dynamic and evolving society. However, the lack of industrialization and the reliance on traditional methods limited the economic growth and technological advancements compared to the emerging economies in Europe.

20:51

🌐 Global Impact and the Legacy of the Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty's influence extended beyond China, as its products and culture became popular in Europe, leading to an increased interest in Chinese goods and ideas. The economic downturn in China, caused by issues such as currency devaluation and recession, had global implications, affecting trade and cultural exchange. The Ming Dynasty's market system and cultural advancements laid the groundwork for future developments, even as the dynasty faced internal and external challenges. The legacy of the Ming Dynasty is seen in its contributions to art, culture, and the early signs of industrial organization, despite the ultimate decline due to economic and social pressures.

Keywords

💡Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1644, was a significant period in Chinese history. It is characterized in the video as a reaction to the previous Mongol rule, aiming to restore traditional Chinese values and governance. The video discusses the Ming's efforts to rebuild the economy on agrarian principles, limit trade, and restore Confucian ideals, which are indicative of the dynasty's conservative yet modern approach to governance and development.

💡Confucianism

Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system based on the teachings of Confucius. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as the ideological foundation that the Ming Dynasty sought to restore and promote. The Ming rulers used Confucian principles to shape their social and political policies, including the organization of the civil service and the emphasis on agriculture and moral governance.

💡Mongol Empire

The Mongol Empire, led by Genghis Khan, is mentioned as the preceding era to the Ming Dynasty. The video describes how the Mongols, known for their military prowess and focus on trade, conquered China and established the Yuan Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty's rise to power was partly a response to Mongol rule, aiming to reestablish Chinese identity and sovereignty.

💡Zheng He

Zheng He was a Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, and fleet admiral during the Ming Dynasty. The video references Zheng He's seven voyages, which showcased China's naval and technological prowess, including the use of the magnetic compass and astrolabe. These voyages were not only diplomatic and trade missions but also demonstrated the Ming Dynasty's ability to project power and influence across the Indian Ocean.

💡Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built to protect Chinese states and empires against raids and invasions from various nomadic groups. In the video, the Ming Dynasty's reconstruction and extension of the Great Wall are highlighted as a defensive measure against the Mongols, symbolizing the dynasty's efforts to secure its borders and maintain internal stability.

💡Overpopulation

Overpopulation is a demographic condition where the number of people in a region exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment. The video discusses how overpopulation in the Ming Dynasty led to increased land taxes and a loss of available land, contributing to the dynasty's eventual decline. This keyword is crucial for understanding the economic and social pressures that affected the Ming period.

💡Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, located in Beijing, was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. The video mentions the construction of the Forbidden City as a symbol of the Ming Dynasty's power and wealth. It served as the imperial residence and the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for centuries.

💡Civil Service Examination

The civil service examination was a system used in China and other East Asian countries to select the best-qualified candidates for government service. In the video, the Ming Dynasty's continuation and expansion of the Confucian examination system for civil service recruitment is discussed. This system was a key aspect of the Ming's bureaucratic organization and its efforts to maintain a meritocratic and efficient government.

💡Agriculture

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock to produce food, fiber, and other products. The video emphasizes the Ming Dynasty's focus on agriculture as the backbone of the economy. The Ming rulers implemented policies that favored agricultural development, such as tax incentives for farming and the promotion of sericulture (silk production), which were crucial for sustaining the growing population and maintaining economic stability.

💡Traditionalism

Traditionalism refers to the adherence to long-established customs, practices, and values. In the context of the video, the Ming Dynasty's traditionalism is evident in its rejection of foreign influences and its emphasis on restoring and preserving Chinese cultural and social norms. This approach contrasted with the more cosmopolitan and trade-oriented policies of the preceding Mongol rule.

💡Technological Advancements

The video highlights the Ming Dynasty's achievements in technology and innovation, such as the construction of a large and high-tech naval fleet and advancements in shipbuilding and navigation. These technological advancements were indicative of the Ming's modern motivations and their efforts to strengthen China's military and economic capabilities.

Highlights

The Ming Dynasty was a reaction to the Mongol conquest of China, aiming to return to traditional Chinese values.

The Ming Dynasty saw some modern elements in Chinese development, including a high-tech naval fleet and reorganization of government.

The Ming Dynasty rejected contact with continental Asia and focused on a Chinese view of the world.

The Ming Dynasty's naval fleet was capable of navigating and participating in the Indian Ocean trade.

The Ming Dynasty's growth was influenced by a growing population pushing against historical limits.

The Mongol Empire, under Genghis Khan, was a significant influence on the Ming Dynasty, focusing on trade and developing a security system along the Silk Road.

The Ming Dynasty's founder, Zhu Yuanzhang, rose from poverty to lead a rebellion against the Mongols and establish the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang implemented policies that were anti-Mongol and focused on rebuilding China's economy on an agrarian basis.

The Ming Dynasty limited trade with Eurasia and restored the Confucian system as the basis of society.

The Ming Dynasty introduced a census system to manage taxation and rebuild the economy.

The Ming Dynasty's naval fleet was a symbol of China's technological advances, including the use of the magnetic compass and astrolabe.

The Ming Dynasty's seven great voyages showcased their ability to sail long distances and engage in diplomacy and trade.

The Forbidden City, built during the Ming Dynasty, was a symbol of the empire's wealth and power.

The Ming Dynasty's bureaucracy was organized by tradition and statutory laws, which influenced its governance.

The Ming Dynasty's fall was influenced by overpopulation, heavy taxation, and a sense of moral bankruptcy among Confucian scholars.

The Ming Dynasty's cultural revolution led to increased literacy and interest in arts, painting, ceramics, and printing.

The Ming Dynasty's market system was thriving, with a focus on traditional practices and cultural expressions.

The Ming Dynasty's decline was marked by internal strife, external pressures, and the rise of the Qing Dynasty.

Transcripts

we might also call Ming China which

existed from 1368 to 1644 early month

but for very different reasons than for

japan roberto cavalli the ming dynasty

was in many ways reaction this reaction

was to the night of conquest of China in

the immediate past Chinese developments

did involve some modern elements but in

many ways the Ming Dynasty spurred

Chinese development toward the water

after the Ming by returning consciously

in Chinese ideas during the Ming Dynasty

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rejection of create contact with

continental Asia and the building of the

indicators that the new dynasty was

making an attempt to return itself clear

Chinese view of the world based on the

biological old regime save time however

the building of the world's most

high-tech and largest naval fleet but

the capability of navigating an

organized participation both of

diplomatic focuses in the Indian Ocean

trade and a reorganization of government

were based on modern motivations not

least of it was that the growing

population of China was pushing it up

against the limits

being history begins with the Mongols

led by Temujin with dschinghis khan'

born in 1162 cheapest rent from up past

to leader and by 1206 unified most

of the horse riding nomads in the steppe

region but today we plan on building

since he was leader of the tribe of the

Mongols as he conquered other tribes

they took off his tribal name and became

moments to Ginga saw himself as conquer

the world and said his armies on that

path to begin the beginning in 1206 he

was working on creating a classic Empire

but what his tribute base is trade

rather than agriculture by the time of

Kublai Khan in 1250 the Mongol Empire

covered most of Eurasia it remains the

largest land Empire in history even

today the horse pointing the ability of

chingus armies their high-tech weaponry

and the reputation in the process the

Mongols conquered China as well their

focus was trade the Mongols developed a

security system along the circle and

employed international banking systems

paper money and low taxes along with

protection of merchants intolerance of

all religions to create a profitable

trade network along the Silk Road and

the process they also forced many

Chinese manufacturers of the world's

most coveted goods so cloth and Chinese

drug Forsman jade and pepper to

manufacture and sell below the cost of

production that's impoverished in many

Chinese it was to say they were less

than popular in China

Qun turn son soon to be China's second

paper as an emperor was born into this

chaos he was the second son in his

family and so not able to inherit

anything eventually learned to support

himself as a beggar then agree to smile

in the monastery he taught himself to

read and write and began gathering

followers he was a charismatic pragmatic

man who is deeply aunty mom eventually

he was able to gain enough followers to

create a ragtag ancient southern capital

of China

Manji have been taken control of

managing to take all of China back from

the mongols and proclaimed the existence

of a new dynasty than me with himself as

its first emperor in 1368 the Mongols in

the midst of a civil war with food from

China

and Bing homeboy was able to reunite

China under Chinese rule he had some

very specific beliefs he was anti gently

he believed that the Confucian scholars

that have assisted improved since the

Han Dynasty could not be trusted he was

angry that some of them had sword the

Mongols still he also believed Chinese

tradition as well held the state today

so he connected reactionary plan to

rebuild the Chinese state as the base of

Chinese morality he then went about

rebuilding China's economy on an

agrarian trade places he limited trade

with the rest of Eurasia he then

restored the Confucian most important

society he based his taxation system on

agriculture I went to great lengths to

make sure the farmers paid their taxes

it's Institute of a census system to be

at least about Confucian scholars who

worked as County magistrate's they had

to keep the roles of people who own how

much time and how much tax they pay to

rebuild the economy and gave five years

of tax-free status to people who began

to pardon it

he calls five hundred thousand mulberry

trees to be planted between build

China's soap industry and planted

hundreds of thousands of other trees for

wood to use in building ships and

administrative offices to prevent the

Mongol invasion from North he rebuilt

the Great Wall and extended making their

advocacy today here's a map of China

under the Ming Dynasty and its success

is a picture of one section of a big

long as it was we built them

one of the ways in which here you can

see a basic organizational activity and

the modern idea that the people have a

stake in governing the Ming Dynasty was

carefully organized and began an agency

stood next train to each other's

territories few Imperial governments for

sale at eleven hours before the 19th

century this is impressive especially

when they take into account the Ming

Dynasty had a population nearly 400

million people by the time event within

64

the Emperor he extended the size of

China to include northern Vietnam

routinely Confucian examinations for

people who wanted to join the civil

service and he built the Forbidden City

he's also bamboo the pause the great

ships to be built that would eventually

sail the seven voyages

this map shows one of China's great

modern advances in technology the seven

great voyages that will put together by

the young and they they included use of

the magnetic compass the astrolabe which

was borrowed from Arab technology

car engine chugs the basic ability to

measure distance traveled and proudly

he's allowed to sail out of sight of

land and into territories that he did

not know without getting lost

Chinese fleets with Japanese and Korean

merchant ships although eventually the

Chinese stopped sending these large

tribute boots into the Indian Ocean

something for for as far as so now they

probably stopped because their missions

diplomatic some critics claim that they

look like trading sites who made the

Emperor with local merchants this was

considerably more than several voyages

were stopped in

the vessels allowed to laugh at their

backs Emperor Yongle added to the

prestige of the Ming Dynasty by building

the Forbidden City

inside the Mongol invasion this became

the largest and most opulent palace in

the world signifying the ability of the

main temple is to combine huge revenues

through tax in their subjects in this

way we could see that the Ming Dynasty

still saw itself in terms of the

biological old regime relying on

prestige and the organization with an

empire nonetheless

an empire the Ming Emperor's control

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also the Ming began to fall heavy

taxation was growing in fact we also see

a defining status by 1750 they have

eighty six hundred suicides of widows

when their husbands died which is only

fifty suicides

the Ming Dynasty was as characterized by

on flexibility circuit ISM and tended to

react to the Mongols international and

trade orientation by in fact pays enough

China and reverting to traditional in

this way Dynasty was essentially in

terms of business the Ming Dynasty

business

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conservatism politically made a positive

business atmosphere because it tended to

make taxes over time very predictable

the Confucian focus of the Ming Dynasty

did also attend to the under taxation of

the Chinese

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young

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the Ming Dynasty began to fall apart in

large part because of overpopulation

which is ironically undercounted which

as I mentioned before led to rising the

land taxes and a loss of land that was

available for abusive taxation also

secret societies of gentry and these

scholars tended to undercut government

policies and then there was large

amounts of inflation under taxation and

a kind of a sense of moral bankruptcy

among Confucius fathers

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in 1644 there was also an empire this

had to do with criminal gang we're going

to band together and eventually we're

even able to take Beijing at the same

time the Jurchen began to call

themselves men shoes had organized

themselves in a Chinese way and adopted

the Chinese language and created a new

military organization and established

the Ching dynasty

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so civilization provided these to Seoul

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as well as China's

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but China's massive bureaucracy is

already full moon is organized by

tradition of statutory laws and

provisions

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specifically in Europe in general one of

the things that we have the Morrissey is

a centralized and efficient government

Fairfax's and supported the economy of

subjects with a clear recognition what

their enterprise was big for the

national economy which increased the tax

base which was good for the ruler as

well as the people but as Spence notes

China already have them and that means

we happen to be okay

2,300 X 2 years of history because the

question once they arrived in China

industrialized the answer comes at least

in part in amending the spoon Dynasty

China 1362 16

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organization you can spin it and then

take it

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and príncipe contracted out to each of

these different skill workers and these

different skilled worker organizations

didn't use machines but they used all

set power and skills that they have

developed themselves so it is a pretty

industrialization that is it doesn't

involve machines and new systems in

energy but it is a well-organized system

of setting up labor to mass-produce

reports

China also underwent a cultural

revolution here in the Ming Dynasty and

we see increased literacy which led to

his interest in patron expressions and

ideas painting ceramics and printing

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Spanish

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back to Spain they actually increased

our certainty and fellow the single

thing in America also flooded the

Chinese market in this passive

devaluation of currency and recession

putting the Ming Dynasty and adaptable

uses for Chinese integration overseas as

well as problems with taxation and

prices Chinese this also reduced the

prices of Chinese foods in Europe and

increased interest in Chinese culture

and ideas in the Ming Dynasty this

organization is stopped using them for

uses of tradition the UFOs were the

participants in something that any

monastic does China in the Ming Dynasty

at a thriving market system they avoided

big publishing and cultural system it

was also an interesting tree finally the

Ming Dynasty saw major steps

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yeah this was probably because the

savings on laboring was not enough to

make the movie industry profitable or

attempting to business people paid all

of these senses then main channel is

really mine is both free water so as I

was receiving the textbook was the Ching

dynasty