The Ming Dynasty restored Chinese power after the Mongol rule ended due to natural disasters and the death of Kublai Khan. Zhu Yuan Zhang led a rebellion against the Mongols and established absolute rule as the Hongwu Emperor, moving the capital to Nanjing and centralizing control though he later became a despot. His son Yongle took over after his death and moved the capital to Beijing to strengthen defenses, building the Forbidden City. The Ming adopted a tributary system for foreign trade but later turned inward, believing they had everything needed and saw outsiders as a threat. Contact with Europe led to tensions as they refused to pay tribute like other countries. Rebellion, corruption, and invasions eventually caused the fall of

1. “The Ming Dynasty”
a. the Mongol rule weakened because of floods, disease, famine, and death
of Kublai Khan
I. The Ming Restore Chinese Power
A. Absolute Rule
a. Zhu Yuan Zhang lead rebellion against Mongols
b. moved capital to Nanjing
c. China returned to a strong, centralized rule
d. however, over time, he turned into a despot (defined as a tyrant or
dictator)
e. Hongwu grew very paranoid about the people plotting against him
B. Yongle’s Rule
a. after father’s death, his son took power and moved capital to Beijing for
China’s return to northern heartland and strengthen defense
b. the capital was built to impress visitors, reinforced China as the Middle
Kingdom of the world, and at center was the palace called Forbidden City
II. Ming Foreign Policy
a. China shut itself off from other lands
A. The Tributary System
a. Tribute: a gift or payment to prevent attacks from other powerful
countries
b. Ming China traded with parts of Asia and Eastern Africa for goods such
as horses, silver, and spices
c. China gained peace which allowed for building armies, and projects
such as building canals
B. The Voyages of Zheng He
a. 1405-1433: Yongle sent an official to demonstrate Chinese power and
win over more tributary states
b. Southeast Asia, India, and Africa with 60 ships and 27,000.
C. China Turns Inward
a. Yongle’s death ended all foreign travel due to cost
b. China turned inward because officials believed that the country had
everything needed and foreigners were a threat to culture
c. Silk Road became dangerous and it was no longer serving as a trade
route
D. Contact with Europe
a. European merchants refused to pay tribute and were seen by officials as
smugglers
E. End of the Ming Dynasty
a. the Great Wall was built to repel invaders and the despotism cause
rebellion and corruption
b. end of dynasty 1644