Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It was the last ethnic Han dynasty in China, supplanting the Mongol Yuan Dynasty before falling to the Manchu Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty ({{Zh-cpw|c=明朝|p=míng cháo|w=}}) was also called The Great Ming Empire (大明帝国). Though the Ming capital, Beijing, fell in 1644, remnants of the Ming throne and power (now collectively called the Southern Ming) survived until 1662.

Related Topics:
Dynasty - China - 1368 - 1644 - Han - Mongol - Yuan Dynasty - Manchu - Qing Dynasty - Beijing - 1662

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This dynasty began as a time of renewed cultural blossoming, with Chinese merchants exploring all of the Indian Ocean and Chinese art (especially the porcelain industry) reaching unprecedented heights. Under Ming rule, a vast navy and army was built, with four masted ships displacing 1,500 tons and a standing army of one million troops. Over 100,000 tons of iron per year were produced in North China, and many books were printed using movable type. Early Ming China was the most advanced nation on Earth at the time. There were strong feelings against the rule of "the foreigners" among the populace during the following Qing Dynasty and the restoration of the Ming dynasty was used as a rallying cry up until the modern era.

Related Topics:
Indian Ocean - Chinese art - Porcelain - Navy - Army - Iron - Movable type - Qing Dynasty

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