Chinese

• The Chinese called their land the Middle Kingdom or Central Nation

• Did this because they thought they were the center of the world

Ming Dynasty

• Enjoyed peace and prosperity under this dynasty

• Founded by Taizu• He was very harsh

Chengzu

• Sponsored many scholarly events

The Arts

• Ming craftsmen perfected porcelain production

• Increased wealth provided the opportunity for increased literacy and expanded literature.

• Drama developed into long and complex plays

• Landscape paintings

Reconstruction

• Rebuilt broken portion of the Great Wall of China and added to it

• Built the Imperial City in what is now Beijing• Also called the Forbidden City

• Completed the Grand Canal• Could now easily transport grain to the capital

Exploration

• Ming Dynasty sent out over 7 naval expeditions

• They were to represent a renewed China and gain control over trade

Zheng He

• The admiral of this navy• His goal was to enhance China’s reputation

and bring countries into submission• Extended Chinese influence beyond the Indian

Ocean and possibly into Iran

Decline

• Asked the manchu in to help the Ming defeat a group of rebels

• They ended up taking over

MANCHU DYNASTY

• The last dynasty of China• The Manchu tried to become Chinese instead

of the other way around

• Manchu tried to keep China from having any contact with the West through trade

• This caused them to fall behind in technology and military