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Mongols created the worlds largest land empire in central Asia. It was a series of nomadic people divided into separate clans each run by a chief called a khan. These khan’s were selected through leadership and military skills. These clans of Mongols eventually conquered China.
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The Mongols were one of the strongest and most dominant military forces in history. They were up to ten thousand strong in many divisions of their military. Thousands of soldiers moved over the land dominating and conquering with their unsurpassed brutality, weaponry, and military tactics.
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Temujin was a khan who began overpowering the other khans declaring himself, Genghis Khan meaning “Universal Ruler”.
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Once the clans were united, Genghis Khan began to build an empire. The empire was created through acquisition of battle, defeating and overthrowing. Relying on brutality and terror they killed any who resisted and burned villages leading to many surrendering their land without even a fight. They were such great warriors because they mastered the art of siege warfare. 1207-1227. Siege warfare: A military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault.
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Genghis Kahn died leaving the task of conquering the world to his sons. The empire at the time was divided into four khanates; each one was ruled by one of Genghis Khan’s heirs. The “Great Khan” ruled over the entire empire. It is also known that the Black Death spread from asia to the Middle East and Europe around this time. Black Death: The great epidemic of a bubonic plague that killed a large part of Europe (1300-1400).
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Genghis Khan’s grandson, Batu, led the Golden Horde in conquering Russia. This lead to the storming of Poland and Hungary. The Golden Horde: The Tartar and Mongol army, led by descendants of Genghis Khan, that overran Asia and parts of eastern Europe in the 13th century.
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Kublai khan became the Great Khan, maintaining power over the Khanate of the Great Khan.
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Kublai Khan ruled China. Though the Chinese regarded him as a barbarian, he united China. This was a feat that had not been done for over 300 years. He made advances in arts and science as well as being known for extending the Grand Canal. His rule extended from 1260 up unitl his death in 1294.
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Marco Polo traveled around China on Missions that would later be immortalized in books that would become very popular in Europe and create huge interest from Europeans towards China. Marco polos travels around China extended from when he arrived in 1278 and when he went back to Europe in 1295.
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Marco Polo and father traveled to China. Kublai Khan really liked Marco and sent him on many missions. Marco Polo regarded Kublai Khan as a great and Noble ruler.
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Kublai khan completed the conquest of China by defeating the final Song ruler. Kublai Khan became emperor of China, calling it the Yuan Dynasty and for the first time, China was ruled by a foreigner. This was made possible because the resistance of the Song Dynasty ended when their last ruler died in 1279. Song Dynasty: The imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy.
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Kublai khan died. Conflict over who would take his place ensued and weak rulers took over.
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Weak rulers combined with natural disasters such as floods as well as overtaxation seriously weakened the Yuan kingdom. This gave birth to many Chinese rebels forces seeking to overturn the Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan dynasty declined from 1294 to 1368 when Zhu Yuanzhang and his rebel army took over. The Yuan Dynasty declined even further when the storms of Kamikazes kept them from conquering the islands of Japan. Kamikaze: Suicide bombers. In Japanese, the word Kamikaze means "divine wind".
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Marco Polo left China, was captured, sent to prison and a fellow inmate wrote a very popular book about him and his adventures in China.
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A rebel army, lead by peasant Zhu Yuanzhang, defeated the Mongols. The Mongols escaped to Manchuria and Zhu Yuanzhang took over rule of China calling his rule the Ming Dynasty and giving himself the title Hongwu which means “vastly martial”.
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The duration of the Ming Dynasty. During this time China took over Korea, Mongolia and parts of Asia. The Ming Dynasty lasted from 1368 to 1644
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Zhu Yuanzhang ruled China uner the name Hongwu. He restored Chinese culture while diminishing Mongol influence. He instilled Confucianism, eliminated corruption, improved agriculture and trade. He also reduced taxes therefore improving the economy and stability of china. He also increased his own power as an emperor by decreasing other positions of power and killing any one who challenged his authority.
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Hongwu died, leaving his son, Yonglo, to become emperor.
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Yonglo rules China in the Ming dynasty. He moved the capitol to Beijing. He built “The Forbidden City”. This was a city within the city of Beijing. It had high walls and very limited access. 1402-1424. The Forbidden City: An area of Beijing, China, that contains the former imperial palaces, to which entry was forbidden to all except imperial family members.
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Yonglo financed seven overseas exploration by Zheng He. He explored with up to 300 ships as large as 400 feet long. These fleets of ships were called "Junks". The collection of ships included treasure and trading ships. The ships sailed around the Indian ocean as fas as Africa giving gifts from China and receiving gifts to bring back for the emperor. 1405-1433. Junks: Large fleets of ships sent by Zheng He.
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European missionaries and traders came to China. In an effort to maintain China’s culture, the Ming dynasty began to close China off from the rest of the world. The Ming dynasty strictly limited all trade and ended foreign exploration. Trade continued to be prevalent along the coast as restrictions were difficult to carryout.
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China gained new threats from Northern Mongols and the Great Wall of China was repaired and rebuilt. Most of the wall was built during the Ming Dynasty. The Great Wall of China: A fortified wall in northern China, extending some 1,500 miles (2,400 km) from Kansu province to the Yellow Sea north of Beijing.
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Farming and irrigation combined with European crops such as corn and sweet potatoes created prosperity. Abundant food led to population growth as well as an increase in manufacturing and industry. As a result, Chinese silk was in great demand in Europe.
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Ming dynasty diminished due to weak rule, high taxes going to defense measures, and crop failure leading to starvation and rebellion. The decline ocurred between the late 1500s and the early 1600s.
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An Italian Priest named Matteo Ricci became highly respected by the Ming court because he taught them European Math and science.
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Manchu conquered Beijing. The emperor committed suicide to evade capture and the Manchu created the Qing dynasty. A Manchurian dynasty with a Chinese name. This Dynasty had strict policies. For example, men were required to wear their hair in a queue. Queue: A braid of hair worn hanging down behind.
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The Qing dynasty ruled China as the last imperial rule. At this time China flourished and grew to the largest it had ever been. The Manchu gained Chinese acceptance by respecting Chinese culture and customs and equally sharing government positions as well as keeping much of the government structure. The qing dynasty began in 1644 and ended in 1911.
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Emperor Kangxi ruled Qing Dynasty. He reduced taxes for the poor, and took parts of central Asia. He encouraged science and art and accepted educated European Jesuit priests. 1661-1772
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Qianlong, Kangxi’s grandson, ruled Qing. During his rule, China conquered Taiwan, Mongolia and Tibet. The Economy and population flourished with foreign trade, transportation systems, and improved agriculture.1736-1796
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Lord George Macartney, visited China to discuss trade. The Chinese thought that the European goods were not as good as the Chinese product and they embarrassed and banished him. Not only that, but they forced Macartney to show respect to Emperor Qianlong by kowtowing. Kowtowing: kneeling in front of the emperor and touching his forehead to the ground nine times.
