Ming Dynasty

In 1368, the Ming dynasty had begun[1]. The founder of the said dynasty was Zhu Yuanzhan. He was a poor man who joined the Red Turban rebellion in the lower region of Yangtse[2]. He is know as Hongwu Emperor, and considered as the third amongst the three peasants who became an Emperor in the History of China[3]. During the time of the Ming dynasty, the capital of the country had been removed from Nanjing to Beijing[4].

During the late period of the Yuan dynasty, a campaign of Hongjinjun or group of peasant men, against the leadership of the said dynasty had been broke out. During 1352, the rebel army had captured the Haozhou, and Zhu had joined the army. After that Zhu had served with difference in the battles[5].

Zhu had led his own army into the city of Jiqing or known now as Nanjing that is located in Jiangsu Province. After conquering the said city, the name of the city had been changed into Yingtian. He later on builds his own military based in the said city. For more than a few years, Zhu’s army had based on the said city and makes some effort in order to make their army stronger, by focusing on their economical and physical strengths[6]. 

Zhu, together with his army had been successful in eliminating the remaining separist in his military forces. The said campaign had lasted from 1360 to 1368. In 1368, Zhu yuanzhang had officially announced or declared himself as the official emperor in Yingtian and established his empire and named as Ming[7]. During the same year, the army of the empire had conquered Dadu or known today as Beijing, the capital city of the Yuan dynasty. The said campaign has ended the reign of the Yuan Dynasty[8].

During the Ming dynasty, China had experienced one of the greatest economic expansions in its history. It had affected the different economic aspect of China such as the agriculture, commerce as well as the maritime trade and the exploration[9].

During the Ming dynasty, China had begun their foreign relationship. The emperor order Cheng Zu to have a vast fleet sails in July of the year 1405. The main purpose of the said voyage is to build a relationship with other foreign countries as well as to expand the trade contacts and look for treasures[10]. China had set up a sea routes that were utilized for the trade with Japan and other part of South Asia[11]. Zheng He or San Bao was the one who was chosen in order to do the voyage. He began a series of seven naval expeditions that went as far as the east coast of Africa[12].  The said trip was joined by 62 ships that are operated by over 27,800 men that include: sailors, clerks, interpreters, officers as well as armed forces, artisans, doctors and meteorologists[13].

Each and every ship is carrying large quantities of cargo that contains 40 different categories of product such as silk, porcelain, gold etc. Zhen He had lead the voyage for more than 28 years from 1405 – 1433[14].  The last of the voyages had been completed in 1433 A.D. During that time, China is considered as ahead of the rest of the world in terms of capabilities in naval aspect. Their ship can carry as much as 500 men[15]

 

References

 

Chinavoc.com, The Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 – 1644: Zheng He and His Voyages, http://www.chinavoc.com/history/ming/zh.htm (Accessed April 2, 2008)

 

Hines, Richard, Ming Dynasty: The Commercial Revolution, Washington State University, http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/MING/COMM.HTM (Accessed April 2, 2008)

 

Minnesota State University Mankato, Ming Dynasty, http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/pr ehistory/ china/later_imperial_china/ming.html (Accessed April 2, 2008)

 

Theobald, Ulrich, Chinese History – Ming Dynasty 明朝 (1368-1644), Chinaknowledge, 2001, http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Ming/ming.html (Accessed April 2, 2008)

 

Travel China Guide, Ming Dynasty, http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/ming .htm (Accessed April 2, 2008)

 

[1] Minnesota State University Mankato, “Ming Dynasty”

[2] Theobald,, “Chinese History – Ming Dynasty 明朝 (1368-1644)”

[3] Minnesota State University Mankato, “Ming Dynasty”

[4] Ibid.

[5] Travel China Guide, “Ming Dynasty”

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Travel China Guide, “Ming Dynasty”

[9] Hines, “Ming Dynasty: The Commercial Revolution“

[10] Chinavoc.com, “The Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 – 1644: Zheng He and His Voyages”

[11] Minnesota State University Mankato, “Ming Dynasty”

[12] Ibid.

[13] Chinavoc.com, “The Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 – 1644: Zheng He and His Voyages”

[14] Ibid.

[15] Minnesota State University Mankato, “Ming Dynasty”

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