The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]
The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]
Temujin --> Genghis Khan [“Universal Ruler”] 1162 - 1227 from the steppe [dry, grass-covered
plains of Central Asia]
The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]
The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]
Genghis Khan’s Tax Laws: If you do not pay homage,
we will take your prosperity. If you do not have prosperity,
we will take your children. If you do not have children,
we will take your wife. If you do not have a wife,
we will take your head. Used cruelty as a weapon --> some areas
never recovered from Mongol destruction!
Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty, 1279-1368
C.E.
Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty, 1279-1368
C.E. Kublai Khan [r. 1260-1294]
Pax Mongolica [“Mongol Peace”] Tolerated Chinese culture
but lived apart from them. No Chinese in top govt. posts. Believed foreigner were more
trustworthy. Encouraged foreign trade &
foreign merchants to live and work in China. Marco Polo
Marco Polo (1254-1324)
Marco Polo (1254-1324)
A Venetian merchant.
Traveled through YuanChina: 1271-1295 “Black Stones”
[coal] Gunpowder. Noodles.
Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368 C.E.Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368 C.E.
The Black Plague was spread by the Mongols in the mid-14c.
Sent fleets against Japan. 1281 --> 150,000 warriors Defeated by kamikazi [“winds of the gods”]
Kublai Khan experienced several humiliating defeats in Southeast Asia late in his life.
Ming Cultural Revolution
Ming Cultural Revolution
Printing & Literacy Cheap, popular
books: woodblock printing. cheap paper.
Examination system. Leads to explosion in
literacy. Leads to further
popularization of the commercial market.
Culture & Art Increased literacy
leads to increased interest in cultural expressions, ideas, and things: Opera. Literature. Painting. Ceramics.
Ming Silver MarketMing Silver Market
Spanish Silver Convoys Triangle route:
Philippines to China to Japan. Silver floods Chinese Market:
Causes devaluation of currency & recession Adds to reasons for Chinese immigration
overseas. Reduces price of Chinese goods in Europe Increases interest in Chinese culture &
ideas in Europe.
Helps fund conquest of New World Encourages Europeans in conquest & trade.
Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 C.E.Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 C.E.
Golden Age of Chinese Art Moderation Softness Gracefulness
Three different schools ofpainting developed.
Hundreds of thousands ofworkers constructed theForbidden City.
Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)
Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)
Ming “Treasure Fleet” Each ship 400’ long & 160’ wide
China’s “Columbus?”
1371-1435
Admiral Zheng He’s VoyagesAdmiral Zheng He’s Voyages
First Voyage: 1405-1407 [62 ships; 27,800 men]. Second Voyage: 1407-1409 [Ho didn’t go on this
trip]. Third Voyage: 1409-1411 [48 ships; 30,000 men]. Fourth Voyage: 1413-1415 [63 ships; 28,500 men]. Fifth Voyage: 1417-1419 Sixth Voyage: 1421-1422
Emperor Zhu Gaozhi cancelled future trips and ordered ship builders and sailors to stop work.
Seventh Voyage: 1431-1433 Emperor Zhu Zhanji resumed the voyages in 1430 to
restore peaceful relations with Malacca & Siam 100 ships and 27,500 men; Cheng Ho died on the return
trip.
Ming Scroll Painting“Travellers in Autumn
Mountains”
Ming Scroll Painting“Travellers in Autumn
Mountains”