Essays on Ming Dynasty

Ming dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that lasted from 1368 to 1644 and provided an interval of native Chinese rule between eras of Mongol and Manchu dominance, respectively.

The Ming dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang, who was of humble origins and later assumed the reign title of Hongwu. The Ming became one of the most stable and one of the most autocratic of all Chinese dynasties.

From 1405 to 1433, were launched ambitious flotillas to expand the Chinese tribute system to other countries. By 1557, the tribute system was replaced by maritime trade. One of the best exports of the Ming Dynasty was its porcelain. The classic Ming porcelain was white and blue.

Ming Dynasty was described as "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history." Sixteen emperors ruled over the whole of China proper spanning 276 years. The Ming main central administrative system had one Department and the Secretariat, that controlled the Six Ministries.

The dominant religious beliefs were the various forms of Chinese folk religion and Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Schools, descent groups, religious associations, and other local voluntary organizations were increasing, as the distance between market towns was shrinking. During the Ming dynasty various forms of art and literature flourished, especially painting, poetry, music and Chinese opera. The best Ming sculpture were a small ornamental carvings of jade, ivory, wood, and porcelain.

Ming rule was partly undone by enormous fiscal problems that resulted in a calamitous collapse. An agricultural disaster also helped deplete funds, which lead to famine and forced starving soldiers to desert their posts and form marauding gangs ravaging the countrysides. The Enperor Chóngzhēn committed suicide in 1644. Later that year, the semi-nomadic Manchu people prevailed over the chaos and became the ruling Qing Dynasty.

1368–1644

Ming dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that lasted from 1368 to 1644 and provided an interval of native Chinese rule between eras of Mongol and Manchu dominance, respectively.

The Ming dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang, who was of humble origins and later assumed the reign title of Hongwu. The Ming became one of the most stable and one of the most autocratic of all Chinese dynasties.

The stability of the Ming regime and agricultural reforms allowed significant economic growth and an increase in international trade (now promoted again), especially from the 16th century CE. The emperors were initially a little old-fashioned in their trade policies, insisting that certain countries only use certain ports at certain times, but eventually these rules were relaxed, and East Asia became a melting pot of trading neighbours as well as attracting the Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese.

The economic prosperity in Ming China would, in turn, create a boom in the arts as a richer class of gentry developed who had money to spend and a great desire to show off their appreciation of fine art to any visitors to their homes. Aesthetic tastes were not limited to the classical arts either as gardens became a popular way for the well-off to entertain guests and display one's culture.

Ming rule was partly undone by enormous fiscal problems that resulted in a calamitous collapse. An agricultural disaster also helped deplete funds, which lead to famine and forced starving soldiers to desert their posts and form marauding gangs ravaging the countrysides. The Enperor Chóngzhēn committed suicide in 1644. Later that year, the semi-nomadic Manchu people prevailed over the chaos and became the ruling Qing Dynasty.

Ming rule was partly undone by enormous fiscal problems that resulted in a calamitous collapse. An agricultural disaster also helped deplete funds, which lead to famine and forced starving soldiers to desert their posts and form marauding gangs ravaging the countrysides. The Enperor Chóngzhēn committed suicide in 1644. Later that year, the semi-nomadic Manchu people prevailed over the chaos and became the ruling Qing Dynasty.