Tradition and Change in East Asia

The Quest for Political Stability

Ming Government Ming dynasty (1368-1644) founder: Hongwu tightly centralized mandarins: gov. officials that traveled empire & made sure imperial policies were being enforced very trusting of eunuchs b/c they couldn't make families/bases of power Yongle: emperor that launched naval expeditions through Indian Ocean Yongle captured Nanjing to monitor Mongols early emperors had powerful military to monitor Mongols until 15th century where Mongols destroyed many Chinese armies & captured emperor  

The Great Wall Ming emperors constructed stone and brick wall on northern border to protect empire w/ watch towers, signal towers,  places to stay for troops Ming wanted to eradicate foreign influences (ex. Mongol) no Mongol names & dress gov. promoted study of Chinese cultural traditions (ex. Confucianism) restored system of civil service examinations (Confucianism-based exams) pirates & smugglers along east coast & navy/coastal defense not equipped to handle situation Forbidden City: great imperial city area in Bejing emperors lived extravagant lives eunuchs provided emperors w/ concubines to gain power and live grand lives

Ming Collapse gov couldn't provide for people during famines peasants revolt across empire Manchu invaded from north hoping to expand territory Manchu forces allied w/ Ming to stop rebels from invading capital but then replaced Ming rule

The Manchus Manchus came from the north into China established Qing dynasty mostly pastoral nomads but many became agriculturalists  Nurhaci unified tribes intro centralized state, created laws, and organized powerful military army captured Korea & Mongolia & capital in Beijing from China  fought for 40 years against rebels and Ming loyalists until 1680 where they gained firm control many Chinese generals supported Qing b/c of corruption & inefficiency of Ming scholar-bureaucrats worked against Ming b/c they hated eunuchs Manchu elites educated in Chinese language & Confucianism outlawed intermarriage b/t Manchus & Chinese, forbade Chinese from travelling to Manchuria, & Chinese couldn't learn Manchurian language (to preserve Manchu culture) men had to shave heads and grow hair specifically to show submission to gov.