The Ming Dynasty
By: Emily and Christina
Inventions/ Technology/ Science & Architecture
China had created many innovative inventions such as tea, zinc (coins), folding umbrellas, wheel barrows, bibles, block printings, sedan chairs, cards, and accupunture. This was all created during the Ming Dynasty. China had some great builds during the Ming Dynasty. Many great Chinese emperors worked on the great wall of China for at least 100 years. The great wall of China wound through what is now Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia and areas throughout Gansu. This Great wall was built to protect China from Monglians from invading. China had also built what is called the Forbidden city. It is a palace created first by Emperor Yongle and continued being built to the end of the Ming Dynasty. Amoung these great builds, Chinese also invented junc boats to trade cargo with other places. The trade boats had many different designs.
Sedan Chair
This was another invention that the Chinese made to carry around important emperors.
Forbidden City
This is a palace was made home to many emperors and took over 100 years to build.
Great wall of China
The great wall of China was strong protection from the Mongolians and took many dynasties to make.
Politics
China was worried about being attacked by Mongols, so they built the Great Wall of China to unify China. Zheng He was a commander who brought wealth and power as far as Africa. Zheng He went on seven voyages between 1405-1432 to negotiate trade with the Indian Ocean rulers. Later on, the boats started breaking down and stopped the voyages from occurring. The Ming dynasty was strong in the first half and fell in the second half. Local leaders were greedy and took taxes for themselves. There were constant food shortages which caused peasants to rebel. Manchus conquered the Ming dynasty in 1644 because one of the last emperors was captured by Mongols because he was not experienced in war. China was invaded by pirates and Mongols as the dynasty got weak. 24 emperors held power, and the shortest time an emperor held power was one year. The last emperor was at the end of dynasty in 1644.The first emperor rose to power by expelling Mongols. He also, took on great projects to grow and use land.
This was Zheng He.
Zheng he went on several voyages to trade.
This is Emperor Hongwu.
Emperor Hwongwu established the Ming Dynasty.
This is Emperor Manchus
Religion/ Culture/ Social Life
China evolved around many religions during the Ming Dynasty such as Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. There were also novels made to tell teachings of Buddhism. Christianity was spread by a Italian Jesuit, who also gave the idea of science and philosophy.
The lives of families in China were like current families that you see everyday but they were filled with lots of religious events. Also, if your family was poor you lived in a house made of bamboo and mud. If you were rich you could live in a place also made of mud but better polished and designed. Women took care of the house and the children while the men were at work. Poor men were farmers.
Home of the rich
This is what a home for a more wealthy person in china would have. It was well made out of mud and styled.
Home of the poor
This is a home for the poor families. It was poorly structured with mud.
Chinese Buddhism
The chinese believed in Buddihism and read novels about Budhism.
Economics
The Ming dynasty made friends with the Indian Ocean rulers by negotiating trade during the Treasure Fleet Voyages. They built the Grand Canal that had a significant impact on trade and helped the economy. The products that were traded most often are, porcelain, salt, silk, alcohol, tobacco, crops, vegetables, and fruits. They traded with many countries in Southeast Asia, and also traded with Western countries like Europe. Handmade objects (such as porcelain) were very important. Art and literature became very popular. By creating great builds like The Forbidden City, The Grand Canal, The Great Wall, it gave many job opportunities.
Silk
Silk was traded across regions like the western countries.
Bowl
This was the kind of bowl used to drink traded alcohol out of.
Art
This was the type of art that became popular during the MIng Dynasty.