Ming Dynasty
This paper will inform you about the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was one of the many significant dynasties in China. It succeeded from 1368 to 1644 for a total of 276 years. It was the fourth longest Dynasty out of thirteen dynasties, and the last ethnic Chinese dynasty between the Mongol-led Yuan and Manchurian Qing Dynasties. Da Ming, meaning “Great Brightness” inspired Zhu YuanZhang to name his new dynasty, “The Ming Dynasty”. What effects did the Ming Dynasty have on its’ era and how did the reign begin and end? This paper will attempt answer this question. The Ming Dynasty, which succeeded the Yuan dynasty, was founded by Zhu YuanZhang. Zhu YuanZhang was the first emperor of sixteen others. He was born of humble origins as a peasant and later on joined the army. Later on, Zhu was chosen as general by a rebelling warlord, Guo Ziyi. After the death of the rebelling warlord, Zhu took control and continued his plan to take control over all of China. In 1356, Zhu led his army into the city of Jiqing (currently Nanjing in Jiangsu Province), changed the city name into Yingtian, and established his own military base there. Zhu YuanZhang officially named himself emperor and founded the Ming Dynasty. The establishment of The Ming Dynasty flourished with a growth in foreign trade, art, and literature. Zhu gave his Dynasty the name “Ming”, meaning bright in reference to the God of light, and renewed his title to Emperor Hongwu. Since Hongwu was born of humble origins, he wanted a fair balance between the wealthy and the poor. Therefore, he implemented a series of policies to reduce the peasants’ burden and continue the production of a whole society. After Zhu Yuanzhang died, his grandson Zhu Yunwen took over the throne. However, his reign only lasted for four years, ending in a coup launched by Zhu Di, the fourth son of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Di titled himself as Emperor Chengzu, whose reign was considered as …show more content…
He wanted to create an imperial capital that reflected the power and glory of the Ming Court. Therefore, Chengzu burned down Hongwu’s palace and moved the new capital to Beijing. The new capital, and the last, was named “The Forbidden City”. The construction of The Forbidden City included enormous undertaking, mobilization of massive labor forces, and amassing of great quantities of materials. In Beijing, new systems were also built. Transportation systems were placed, and the imperial compounds included a large number of warehouses, workshops, and places to house members of the court and staff. Beijing was surrounded by a wall 15 mi. long and 40 ft. high. Beyond inside the walls, administrative hubs with offices for government officials were built, and at the center contained the imperial palace with 10,000 rooms that could only be entered with the emperor’s permission. As the years went on, new developments and literature made progress. Masterpieces of Great Chinese Classical literature including Journey to the West, Outlaws of the Marsh, and Romance of the three kingdoms written during the Ming Dynasty. Chinese traditional drama, originating in the Song dynasty were banned by the mongols. Fortunately, the Ming era restored the drama called chuanqi, a form of musical theatre with numerous scenes and contemporary
This paper will inform you about the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was one of the many significant dynasties in China. It succeeded from 1368 to 1644 for a total of 276 years. It was the fourth longest Dynasty out of thirteen dynasties, and the last ethnic Chinese dynasty between the Mongol-led Yuan and Manchurian Qing Dynasties. Da Ming, meaning “Great Brightness” inspired Zhu YuanZhang to name his new dynasty, “The Ming Dynasty”. What effects did the Ming Dynasty have on its’ era and how did the reign begin and end? This paper will attempt answer this question. The Ming Dynasty, which succeeded the Yuan dynasty, was founded by Zhu YuanZhang. Zhu YuanZhang was the first emperor of sixteen others. He was born of humble origins as a peasant and later on joined the army. Later on, Zhu was chosen as general by a rebelling warlord, Guo Ziyi. After the death of the rebelling warlord, Zhu took control and continued his plan to take control over all of China. In 1356, Zhu led his army into the city of Jiqing (currently Nanjing in Jiangsu Province), changed the city name into Yingtian, and established his own military base there. Zhu YuanZhang officially named himself emperor and founded the Ming Dynasty. The establishment of The Ming Dynasty flourished with a growth in foreign trade, art, and literature. Zhu gave his Dynasty the name “Ming”, meaning bright in reference to the God of light, and renewed his title to Emperor Hongwu. Since Hongwu was born of humble origins, he wanted a fair balance between the wealthy and the poor. Therefore, he implemented a series of policies to reduce the peasants’ burden and continue the production of a whole society. After Zhu Yuanzhang died, his grandson Zhu Yunwen took over the throne. However, his reign only lasted for four years, ending in a coup launched by Zhu Di, the fourth son of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Di titled himself as Emperor Chengzu, whose reign was considered as …show more content…
He wanted to create an imperial capital that reflected the power and glory of the Ming Court. Therefore, Chengzu burned down Hongwu’s palace and moved the new capital to Beijing. The new capital, and the last, was named “The Forbidden City”. The construction of The Forbidden City included enormous undertaking, mobilization of massive labor forces, and amassing of great quantities of materials. In Beijing, new systems were also built. Transportation systems were placed, and the imperial compounds included a large number of warehouses, workshops, and places to house members of the court and staff. Beijing was surrounded by a wall 15 mi. long and 40 ft. high. Beyond inside the walls, administrative hubs with offices for government officials were built, and at the center contained the imperial palace with 10,000 rooms that could only be entered with the emperor’s permission. As the years went on, new developments and literature made progress. Masterpieces of Great Chinese Classical literature including Journey to the West, Outlaws of the Marsh, and Romance of the three kingdoms written during the Ming Dynasty. Chinese traditional drama, originating in the Song dynasty were banned by the mongols. Fortunately, the Ming era restored the drama called chuanqi, a form of musical theatre with numerous scenes and contemporary