MING DYNASTY

RISE OF THE MING1368: Hongwu became the first emperorHongwu reforms:•Restored agriculture lands•Erased traces of Mongols•Promoted power and prosperity

Brought stability to China

China returned to Confucianism• Improved government

through civil service exams

Hongwu became paranoid of outside and internal threats to his powerBecame a ruthless tyrant• Killed thousands of government officials

Hongwu died in 1398 power struggle

VOYAGES OF ZHENG HE (EUNUCH)1405 – 7 voyages led by Chinese Muslim admiral (and eunuch) Zheng He

To SE Asia, India, Middle East, E. Africa•40-300 ships in each expedition

Distributed gifts to show Chinese superiority•Increased outside interestin China

ZHENG HE

1433 – no more voyages – the Chinese withdrew into self-sufficient isolation

FOREIGN RELATIONS•To minimize outside influence on China, only the government traded with foreign countries

•Merchants profited from smuggling silk, porcelain, and other valuable goods to Europe

• European missionaries bring Christianity to China as well as European inventions (clock, prism)• Many educated Chinese oppose

Christianity