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