2.5 The Ming Empire (AP World History)

The Ming Dynasty, established by Zhu Yuanzhang, also known as Hongwu, followed the fall of the Yuan Dynasty. Hongwu aimed to restore Chinese traditions by eliminating Mongol influences. He moved the capital to Nanjing, reinstated the Confucian-based examination system, and abandoned Mongol innovations like paper money. His policies initially included limiting trade and foreign interactions, which negatively impacted the economy. However, he later had to reverse some of these anti-Mongol policies, such as the provincial structure and hereditary professional categories, to stabilize the empire.

The Ming Dynasty saw a revival of Confucianism and the scholar-gentry system, which was essential for a return to the Chinese idealistic vision of the past. Hongwu made the civil service exams more complex and sought to limit the power of administrators by abolishing the chief minister position and censoring threatening documents. He took harsh measures against corruption, reflecting his background as a peasant with little patience for ineffective bureaucrats. He also mandated that the emperor's wife should come from humble origins to prevent elite families from amassing more power.

Despite initial setbacks, the Ming Dynasty experienced economic growth, with high demand for Chinese goods like silk, tea, and porcelain. However, the policy of limiting trade along the Silk Road and restricting foreign visitors hindered further prosperity. The gap between rich and poor increased as rural landlords allied with bureaucrats, and peasants became tenants. Women's status remained subordinate, with elite women having more freedom to influence power through their husbands.

Emperor Yongle, the second Ming emperor, sponsored maritime exploration and the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. He reopened China to foreign trade and moved the capital back to Beijing, transforming the area once occupied by the Mongols into a grand palace complex. His support for maritime exploration was partly due to the Mongols still controlling parts of Central Asia, which made land trade routes less viable.

The Ming Dynasty's maritime explorations, led by the Muslim eunuch Zheng He, reached as far as Southeast Asia and Africa, adding new tribute states but not significantly increasing trade. The voyages ended abruptly after the deaths of Yongle and Zheng He. The cessation of these expeditions and a shift to traditionalist policies allowed Europe to become a dominant world trading power. The Ming Dynasty's achievements included advancements in porcelain production, literature, and the arts, but technological innovation was not as pronounced as in the Song Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty's maritime explorations were short-lived, ceasing in 1433 due to a lack of broad government support and perceived limited commercial opportunities. The new emperor sought to differentiate himself from Yongle by ending the expeditions. This led to a decline in China's active role in international trade, opening the door for European powers to establish a monopoly in the Indian Ocean trade. The Ming Dynasty's policies ultimately contributed to China's relative isolation and loss of opportunity to lead in global trade.

Agricultural advancements and new weaving techniques during the Ming Dynasty led to rapid population growth, as increased food supply from staple crops allowed for a larger population. However, technological innovation was not as significant as in the Song Dynasty. The introduction of crops from the Americas, such as corn, sweet potatoes, and peanuts, further contributed to population growth. Despite the growth, the Ming Dynasty did not maintain its technological edge, and Korea and Japan surpassed China in this regard.

The Ming Dynasty had a complex relationship with intellectual and cultural exchange. While there was a revival of Confucianism and an emphasis on traditional Chinese values, the dynasty's policies also led to a decline in maritime exploration and international trade. The cessation of Zheng He's voyages and the focus on traditionalism over foreign involvement contributed to a more isolated China. However, the Ming Dynasty did see growth in the arts, literature, and porcelain production, leaving a lasting cultural legacy.