Ming+Recovery+(579-580)+2

=Ming Recovery (579-580)=

__**Recovery in China: The Ming Dynasty**__ __**Ming Centralization**__ =HT= __**Cultural Revival**__
 * mid 14th century, Mongol's Yuan dynasty experienced financial mismanagement[[image:162494.jpg align="right"]]
 * led to serious economic difficulties and political conflicts
 * collapsed in 1368 with the raging bubonic plague
 * Mongols departed China and returned to the steppes
 * left China in a state of demographic and political turmoil
 * increasing birthrate replenished population and helped with political recovery **(SN)**
 * __Hongwu__**
 * new emperor came from a poor family; spent youth as a beggar
 * entered a Buddhist monastery to assure himself of food, clothing, shelter, as an orphan
 * came to notice of military commanders because of size and strength
 * made his way through the ranks to lead the forces that toppled the Yuan dynasty
 * 1368 - became Emperor Hongwu and established the Ming dynasty; lasted until 1644
 * Hongwu established a government on the model of traditional Chinese dynasties
 * had little interest in scholarly matters
 * reestablished the Confucian educational and civil service systems to ensure a supply of talented officials
 * moved to centralize authority more tightly than ever before in Chinese history
 * 1380 - executed chief minister and bureaucratic allies; suspected he was involved in a treasonous plot
 * abolished the minister's position
 * from then on, Ming emperors ruled directly, without the aid of chief ministers
 * __Mandarins and Eunuchs__**
 * The Ming emperors insisted on absolute obedience to central government
 * Relied a lot on the mandarins, a special class of officials that monitored local officials
 * Relied also on eunuchs which could not build families so they didn't challenge the ruling families
 * Ming emperors employed more eunuchs then previous emperors
 * eunuchs money was based off the emperor; work more diligently **(sn)**
 * Mandarins and eunuchs enhanced central government
 * Ming dynasty fell to the Manchu invaders (Qing dynasty) in 1644
 * Qing dynasty kept an administration like the Ming emperors
 * Qing dynasty collapsed in 1911
 * __Economic Recovery__**
 * Ming emperors tried to recover economically after the diseases and nomadic rule
 * They had laborers rebuild irrigation systems causing agriculture to increase
 * Promoted the making of porcelain, lacquer ware, fine silk, and cotton textiles
 * Did not encourage trade with other lands
 * Though domestic trade surged with Japan and southeast Asia increasing productivity and prosperity
 * Ming dynasty also sponsored cultural revival in China
 * Emperor Hongwu discouraged use of Mongol names and dresses
 * He promoted Chinese cultures, particularly Confucianism
 * Hongwu's successor, Yongle, created a encyclopedia of Chinese history, philosophy, and literature
 * They were going to print the encyclopedia but didn't because of cost
 * Encyclopedia showed Ming ruler's interest in Chinese traditions
 * GG**