6.+Ming+and+Qing+Dynasties

=__The Ming and Qing Dynasties__=

A peasant founded the dynasty, the third of only three peasants ever to become emperor in China. In 1368, he became Emperor Hongwu and he proclaimed the establishment of the Ming Dynasty which lasted until 1644 A.D. When the Ming Dynasty fell, Manchus poured into China from their homeland of Manchuria. They proclaimed a new dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the early twentieth century (1644-1911).

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)



__Dates and Significant Leaders__
In 1368, Hongwu became emperor and established th Ming Dynasty which lasted until 1644. The Ming Dynasty then fell to the Manchus who came from their land Manchuria to over rule China. They praclaimed a new dynasty, The Qing, which ruled China until the early 20th century (1644-1911).

The first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty

The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty

__Religious Belief System__
A popular belief of the Ming Dynasty was to worship their ancestors. The people also practices the religions of Taoism and Buddhism as well as Chinese Folk religion. Christianity existed but was not and is still not popular in China.

__Social Structures__
Children were taught to respect and to take care of their parents in their old age to do anything for them. They also had clans which are Chinese families extended into partrilineal descent groups. They took the role of a nuclear family. Boys were prefered over girls. A women's status would rise if she had sons and if she had daughters, she was considered unimportant.

During the two dynasties, patrioarchal authority over females became tighter, women had to do what the men told them. Boys were perfered over girls.

Once married women were now apart of the husband's familiy, they had to do rituals to show her subservience to her husband's family. In the Ming Dynasty, when one's husband would died women were told to kill themselves to show respect.

Women were supposed to have tiny feet because it was considered elegant in their culture. While in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, binding became popular to keep their feet small.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, they made silver money from trading with the Japanese and the Americans.

__China Military Warfare__
Chinese guard post, any of the military garrison units utilized by China's Ming Dynasty was to maintain peace throughout its empire. It was originally developed by the proceeding Yuan Dynasty and the system consisted of a guard unit of 5,600 men known as Wei. Each of them was divided into five qianhu suo of 1,120 men each. Altogether there were over 500 units that were scattered along the frontiers and at a stragetic spots throughout the country. In Asia, an unsuccessful attempt was made to divide the Mongol tribes into Weisuo units that would be loyal to the Ming rather than their tribal confederation.

The Ming Warriors

__Internal and External Threats__
Both the Ming and Qing Dynasty kept away from outside countries. They did not fight among themselves. The Ming forced any traders who wanted to trade with them to follow their strict rules of trade and the Qing cut off all trade agreements with Europe all together. The Ming however were threatened by the Manchus from the land of Manchuria who ended up overthrowing their dynasty and started the Qing.

__Vocabulary__
Ming Dynasty: (1368-1644) The Dynasty that made China the dominant power in Asia.

Hongwu: First Ming Emperor. Was born the son of a peasant.

Zheng He: A Chinese Muslim admiral who lead seven voyages. His expeditions were remarkable for their size, everything about them was large. The voyages ranged from Southeast Asia to Eastern Africa. 40-300 ships sailed in each expedition. Where ever he went he distributed gifts that included Silver and Silke to show Chinese wealth and superiority.

Manchus: People of Manchuria who invaded China and overthrew the Ming Dynasty. The Manchus established th Qing Dynasty.

Qing Dynasty: (1644-1911)Established by the Manchus in 1644. Ruled China for more than 260 years.

Kangxi: Became the Manchu Emperor in 1662. Ruled for about 60 years.

1. Q: What evidence indicates that China lost interest in contacts abroad after 1433? A: They wanted foriegn traders to follow their rules of trade so as to not ruin their culture and beliefs.

2. Q: What did Christian Missionaries bring to China? A: Christians brought Christianity and knowledge of European science and technology.

3. Q: What factors, both within China and outside its borders, contributed to the downfall of the Ming Dynasty? A: Bad rulers and officials as well as no money weakened the Ming Dynasty. Taxes and bad harvest led the people to starvation until the Manchus invaded and took over.

4. Q: What was Korea's relationship with China under the Qing Dynasty? A: The Manchus conquered near by Korea in 1636. Before the Qing Dynasty, Korea wanted to be a nation.

__Works Cited__
Traditions Encounters by Jerry H. Bentley World History book The Year China Discovered the World by Gavin Menzies [] [] [] []