Rulers and Timeline
Who founded the Ming Dynasty?
Zhu Yuanzhang, also known as the Hongwu Emperor.
What system did the Ming use to select educated government officials?
The civil service examination system.
What famous Ming explorer led large voyages across the Indian Ocean?
Zheng He.
What was the main philosophy used by Ming rulers and government?
Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism.
What empire conquered Constantinople in 1453 while the Ming Dynasty was rising?
The Ottoman Empire.
Which Ming emperor moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing?
The Yongle Emperor.
What philosophy influenced Ming government and helped legitimize the rulers?
Neo-Confucianism.
What system involved other states sending tribute to acknowledge China's power?
The tribute system.
What famous imperial palace was built in Beijing during the Ming Dynasty?
The Forbidden City.
What technology was increasingly used in warfare during the time of the Ming Dynasty?
Gunpowder technology, including powerful cannons.
What years did the Ming Dynasty rule China?
1368–1644.
How did Ming rulers maintain their power?
They used a strong bureaucracy, taxes paid in silver, the tribute system, Confucian ideas, and civil service examinations.
What precious metal became especially important to the Ming economy and connected China to global trade?
Silver.
Besides Confucianism, what three religions or traditions also influenced people in the Ming Dynasty?
Buddhism, Daoism, and Islam.
Why did the Ming Dynasty Matter?
It restored Chinese rule after the Mongols and connected china to global trade.