Foundations
The Ming was founded by this commoner, a Red Turban commander.
Who was Zhu Yuanzhang (Hongwu Emperor)?
According to this doctrine, heaven – which embodies the natural order and will of the universe – gives authority to a just ruler of China, the "Son of Heaven.”
What is the "Mandate of Heaven"?
Perfected under the Ming --with decorative schemes which drew inspiration from the Islamic world-- this was the dominant ceramic ware around the globe.
What is "blue-and-white-porcelain?
Zhu re-established this system as a way to select and cultivate a cadre of loyal (translation: indoctrinated) officials.
What is the Confucian School?
The large text box below gives instructions for the use of the banknote. It states this.
What is the punishment for counterfeiting?
“The Ministry of Revenue, with Imperial sanction, has manufactured and printed Great Ming treasure certificates for circulation alongside bronze coins. Those using counterfeit notes will be executed. Informants will receive 250 liang of silver and the entire property of the criminal. On the Xth day of the Xth month of the Xth year of the Hongwu reign period.”
China returned to native rule with the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) after nearly a hundred years of occupation by these people.
Who were the Mongols?
The Mandate of Heaven does not require a legitimate ruler to be of noble birth. Rather is based on this?
What is how well that person can rule.
Banknotes were printed using these two media.
What are woodblock stamps and black ink?
The Hongwu Emperor first sought to rule through kinsmen by giving imperial princes generous stipends, command of large garrisons, and a significant autonomy in the running of their domains.
When this proved inefficient, he cut them off and began appointing officials based on this.
What is outstanding performance on the civil service examination?
The paper note is worth the number of coins printed on it, literally, made of this metal.
What is copper?
"Hongwu" translates to this phrase.
What is “expansive and martial”?
Emperors sanctioned official cults; whether organized into civil or military domains, tiered into great, middle, or minor rites, or categorized as celestial, terrestrial, or human all cults were designed to reflect back on and reinforce Ming rule. Imperial law held that the demands of the this cult/religion always prevailed over those of the local.
What is the state cult/religion?
This was the "legally approved" material for Chinese paper during the Ming Dynasty.
What is mulberry bark?
The Ming dynasty’s almost three hundred-year span witnessed unprecedented economic and cultural expansion and the near doubling of its population.
The last century of the Ming, however, was besieged by border troubles, crop failure, fiscal instability, and court corruption leading to an overthrow by these invaders from the north, who took Beijing in 1644.
Who are the Manchu?
The paper notes are often referred to as baochao. Baochao translates to this.
What is bao = treasure; chao = physical paper note?
The Ming Dynasty was ruled through these two means.
What are imperial grandeur and kinship?
Community gatherings publicly portrayed rulers as moral and spiritual benefactors in front of their subjects; lavish ceremonies and sacrificial rites cultivated the emperor’s image as this.
What is the mediator between human and spiritual worlds?
"Ming" translates to this word.
What is "brilliant"?
Although banknotes were backed up by hard metal currency held in the capital, they were never intended to be used as legal tender and, therefore, their circulation was limited. However, since they could be exchanged for hard currency at the capital, they were traded amongst merchants as if they were currency. This ability to "travel" over long distances resulted in the notes being referred to as this.
What is "flying cash"?
The top of the banknote reads "Da Ming tongxing baochao" which translates to this.
What is “Great Ming Circulating Treasure Certificate”?
Zhu married her --the daughter of a Red Turban rival-- in order to consolidate his power while eliminating a threat.
Who is Empress Ma?
This was the central and highest institution of academic research and learning in China's traditional educational system, which was charged with the administration of education.
What was the Guozijian?
The Yongle Emperor -- the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty-- built a grandiose and awe-inspiring capital in Beijing: a multi-walled imperial city with boulevards, courtyards, and palace known as this.
What is The Forbidden City?
Despite a ban on private maritime commerce, from 1405 to 1433, this admiral led seven expeditions in the Indian Ocean to establish trade and tributary relationships. While these expeditions did not seek to expand the Ming/Chinese territory, this admiral did use force to intervene in local affairs.
Who is Zheng He?
Before the notes were issued, they were stamped with these --two on the front and one on the back reads this--in red ink.
What are official seals?