ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What created the power and limitations of absolutism during the Ming Dynasty.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Examine the emergence of the Ming Dynasty and how the creation of the Forbidden City added to China’s feeling of superiority.
The Ming Dynasty The Ming Dynasty
Yuanzhang was born a peasant & worked through the military ranks◦ Known as a harsh ruler
killed all of his opposition
Brought pride & power back to China◦ Reinstated Civil Service The
exam made sure gov’t officials were intelligent
◦ Built the Forbidden City Zhu Yuanzhang
Forbidden City Forbidden City
Location: center of Beijing◦It served as the Emperor’s
palace during the Ming and Qin dynasties. Now it is a palace museum.
◦It is the world’s largest palace complex and covers over 2.3 million sq ft (178 acres)
The Ming DynastyThe Ming Dynasty1368-1644Formed by Zhu
Yuanzhang ◦ He successfully
forced the Mongols out of the country Wanted to restore
Chinese greatness
CHINACHINA’’S WONDERSS WONDERS
Forbidden City
CHINACHINA’’S WONDERSS WONDERS
Forbidden Palace◦ Surrounded by a
six meter deep moat
◦ About 25 ft high wall
◦ There are over 800 buildings and 9999 rooms.
Forbidden City Forbidden City
History:◦Construction
began in 1406. 14 years to build. 200,000 men used
◦Housed 24 emperors until 1912
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did Chinese religious ideas and philosophies differ from western thought?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Understand the philosophies and religions that helped to hold the Chinese civilization together.
Ming Dynasty: Confucian Ming Dynasty: Confucian StateStateDuring Ming:
Confucian ideals were brought back
Confucius was born in 551 BC ◦ He wanted to
restore peace & created a guide to proper behavior
Ming Dynasty: Confucian Ming Dynasty: Confucian StateStateAnalects, a book of his teachings,
written by his followers ◦In order to have peace 5
relationships must exist Ruler/ruled Father /son Husband/wife Older brother/younger brother Friend/friend
It’s the superior person’s responsibility to set the example for the inferior
Ming Dynasty Ming Dynasty Filial Piety: duty & respect
children owe their parents
Chinese Exploration Chinese Exploration
Chinese ExplorationChinese Exploration
Chinese Exploration Chinese Exploration Cheng Ho: one of China’s
greatest explorers ◦ Born a commoner & Muslim ◦ Captured by the military
Reached India & East Coast of Africa ◦ Made 7 voyages◦ 100,000 miles ◦ Established a trade empire
for China
Chinese Exploration Chinese Exploration Began having major problems with
pirates in the Pacific ◦The emperor forced all people to move
away from the coast & closed down China
He told his people they would be a continental power
No one was allowed to enter or leave the country ◦Results in the Chinese falling behind the
rest of the world
THE GREAT WALL THE GREAT WALL
The wonders ofCHINA
The Great Wall The Great Wall
◦ The wall stretches about 5,500 miles.◦ It winds up and down
across deserts, mountains, grasslands and plateaus.
◦ It travels from east to west China.
◦ Nearly 2000 years old. Some sections are decayed.
CHINACHINA’’S WONDERSS WONDERS
The Great Wall The Great Wall Construction began in the 7th
century BC.Sections built under Chou
dynasty each built their own walls for protection.
After state of Chin (Qin) unified country in 221 BC, it joined the walls to hold off invaders from the north.◦Invader: Huns
The Great Wall The Great Wall
Major renovation under the Ming Dynasty◦ Present form under
Ming.Ming wanted to
make sure Mongols would not come back.
The Great WallThe Great WallTowers of the
Wall are 32 feet high
It has battle forts at important points and the corners.◦ Soldiers were posted
on top to warn of attacks.
CHINACHINA’’S WONDERSS WONDERS
Great Wall: History◦ is crenellated for
watching and shooting at the invading enemy.
CHINACHINA’’S WONDERSS WONDERS
Great Wall
Jiayuguan
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Explain how the Manchu overthrew the Ming and established a multi-ethnic Qing Dynasty that doubled the size of the Chinese Empire
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain how the Manchu were able to invade and bring an end to the Ming Dynasty
Manchu Invasion Manchu Invasion Manchu Dynasty aka Qing
Dynasty Last Dynasty of China: 1644-
1912Founded by Manchu people
◦Semi-nomadic people from NE China
Manchu Invasion Manchu Invasion 1644: Manchu were able to take
advantage of rebellions against Ming
Ming Rebellions: Beijing was conquered by rebel
forces led by Li Zicheng ◦Ming army did not protect the capital
because they had mutinied ◦Rather than be captured the last Ming
emperor hanged himself
LI ZICHENG
LI AND THE BANDITS
Manchu InvasionManchu InvasionWu Sangui (Ming general) allied
himself with the Manchu ◦In order to drive out the rebel forces
They were successful but this allowed the Manchu to take over
WU SANGUI
Manchu Dynasty Manchu Dynasty
Developed peacefully : it was a time of economic growth & development
Tried to forced their way of life on China but adopted Chinese cultures & traditions
Limits: ◦ only Manchu could hold the highest
government office◦ Marriage was forbidden between Manchu &
Han◦ Imperial China reached it height of power