History
In China, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) replaced the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Under the Ming, China saw agricultural reconstruction, remarkable expeditions abroad, commercial expansion, and a colorful urban culture. Although many of the emperors were unreasonable towards intellectuals, many educated men continued to compete for places in government. In 1356 Zhu took the city of Nanjing and later took Beijing in 1368. Zhu declared himself emperor of the Ming (Bright) Dynasty (known in China as the Taizu or Hongwu emperor). He set provinces as administrative layers of central government and put garrisons along the Northern border and near the capitol to supply soldiers. Chengzu (1403-1425), one of Taizu's younger sons, took the throne from his nephew. He relocated the capitol to Beijing where the new palace was known as the Forbidden City.
In the 1590's the Ming Government had many fiscal, military, and political problems. The government was bankrupt because of the help they gave to Korea defending from a Japanese invasion. Natural disasters and a "little ice age" ravaged regions and made growng crops inpossible. Many went hungry and started rebellions all over the plains. At last in 1644 the last Ming emperor killed himself when rebels entered Beijing.
In the 1590's the Ming Government had many fiscal, military, and political problems. The government was bankrupt because of the help they gave to Korea defending from a Japanese invasion. Natural disasters and a "little ice age" ravaged regions and made growng crops inpossible. Many went hungry and started rebellions all over the plains. At last in 1644 the last Ming emperor killed himself when rebels entered Beijing.