Chapter 27 Study Guide
Chapter 27 – Tradition and Change in East Asia
The Ming Dynasty
1368-1644
Restored traditional Chinese rule
Hongwu was founder
Tried to drive out any Mongol influence
Used mandarins to travel through the empire to make sure policy was being followed o Also used eunuchs who were loyal to the gov’t because they couldn’t have families
The Emperor Yongle used the navy to expand and show China’s power
Kept powerful army to keep out invaders in the early years o Mongol armies defeated them several times
Later emperors added to, refurbished and built more of the Great Wall through the northern regions to keep out invaders o Had watch towers and places for soldiers to stay o Extended about 1,550 miles
Ming leaders encouraged Chinese people to get rid of Mongol names and style of clothing
Brought back the Confucian education system, colleges, and academies
Restored the civil service exam
Problems began to weaken the state in mid 1500’s o Pirates and smugglers operated along the coast – navy proved ineffective against them
• Would loot cities and sometime kill people
• It took 40 years to bring them down
Later emperors lived lives that were too extravagant – palace called Forbidden City
Some emperors ignored government affairs
Powerful eunuchs used the power to enrich their lives o Became corrupt and inefficient and led to a weakened state
Famines then hit China in the early 17th century o Gov’t couldn’t bring relief to the people
1640’s peasant rebellions organized resistance against Ming
Manchu armies invaded from the North – allied with Ming army and crushed rebellion o However, they then didn’t restore Ming rule and took over themselves
The Qing Dynasty
When Ming fell, Manchus poured into China
Declared a new dynasty – Qing (pure)
Ruled from 1644-1911
From north of China – had been pastoral nomads
A chief named Nurhaci unified them into a centralized state o Developed law code
o
The Ming Dynasty
1368-1644
Restored traditional Chinese rule
Hongwu was founder
Tried to drive out any Mongol influence
Used mandarins to travel through the empire to make sure policy was being followed o Also used eunuchs who were loyal to the gov’t because they couldn’t have families
The Emperor Yongle used the navy to expand and show China’s power
Kept powerful army to keep out invaders in the early years o Mongol armies defeated them several times
Later emperors added to, refurbished and built more of the Great Wall through the northern regions to keep out invaders o Had watch towers and places for soldiers to stay o Extended about 1,550 miles
Ming leaders encouraged Chinese people to get rid of Mongol names and style of clothing
Brought back the Confucian education system, colleges, and academies
Restored the civil service exam
Problems began to weaken the state in mid 1500’s o Pirates and smugglers operated along the coast – navy proved ineffective against them
• Would loot cities and sometime kill people
• It took 40 years to bring them down
Later emperors lived lives that were too extravagant – palace called Forbidden City
Some emperors ignored government affairs
Powerful eunuchs used the power to enrich their lives o Became corrupt and inefficient and led to a weakened state
Famines then hit China in the early 17th century o Gov’t couldn’t bring relief to the people
1640’s peasant rebellions organized resistance against Ming
Manchu armies invaded from the North – allied with Ming army and crushed rebellion o However, they then didn’t restore Ming rule and took over themselves
The Qing Dynasty
When Ming fell, Manchus poured into China
Declared a new dynasty – Qing (pure)
Ruled from 1644-1911
From north of China – had been pastoral nomads
A chief named Nurhaci unified them into a centralized state o Developed law code
o