Ming Dynasty Research Paper

The following are the Chinese dynasties in order from oldest to most recent: Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing. The legendary dynasty is the Xia, which is believed to be around 2000 BC. The Shang (1700-1000BC) developed the first written Chinese language. The Zhou (1028-221BC) built the first roads, expanded trade contacts and trade routes, and also developed plows and irrigation systems. Trade at this time was expanding in China. The Qin Dynasty (221-207BC) built the famous Great Wall of China as a defense mechanism and also united all of China under one central government. Next is the Han Dynasty (207BC-AD220), which did a lot for China in terms of trading. They developed the Great Silk Road, a trading route that stretched from China all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. The Sui Dynasty (589-618) united almost all of China. Followed in suit by the Tang Dynasty (618-917) discovered one of Chinas' leading exports, porcelain. During the Tang Dynasty, the first block-style printing press was invented. The Song Dynasty (960-1279) came next, which took over all of China and later took the southern rule after being conquered by the Jin. The Song Dynasty is responsible for developing Chinese cuisine as we know it today. During this time period the compass and gunpowder were also discovered. The Jin Dynasty (1127-1234) took rule over Northern China from the Song. The Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) brought a long period of peace to

The Great Wall probably remains his most famous contribution to Chinese civilization. The wall scaled off walls originally built for defense against nomads and served as protection as well as a punishment for those who broke Qin laws. Due to the strict nature of the law code and the efficiency of the Qin government, many Chinese were sentenced to construction labor. The new infrastructure, including highways, canals, and irrigation systems, connected distant regions together and allowed the central government to more effectively carry out duties (53). The new routes undoubtedly facilitated travel and

Han dynasty was the most influential in Chinese history. First of all the Han lasted much longer than the fiveteen year of Qin rule. Instead of fighting they made many inventions listed above and other advances to help China become stronger and prosperous country. The contribution to the Silk road also helped China because of all the trade they began to do. The paper invention influenced literature that someone named Sima Qian created the first Chinese history book. In astronomy they recorded the first record of the solar system. They were also less cruel than the Qin dynasty but yet they were still power. All their inventions and all there practices and ways of doing things makes the

The world's longest man made structure started out as the world's biggest cemetery. In 221 BC Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered for the construction of a great wall to protect, impress, and glorify Ancient China (history.com). His labour force was mostly made up of soldiers, peasants, convicts, and volunteers and it is estimated that 400,000 died during the construction (background essay). While the Great Wall costed Ancient China lots, it gave them protected from their biggest threats, protected merchants trading on the Silk Road, and opened China up to the rest of the world.

“The reason why China suffers bitterly from endless wars is because of the existence of feudal lords and kings.” ~Qin Shi Huang. This quote was said by Qin Shi Huang, constructor of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China is the longest structure ever built. The Wall starts in the northern part of China, then along the Pacific Coast, and ends in the Gobi Desert. The Great Wall of China runs for about 5,500 miles. The Great Wall of China was changed over the years in the Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty.

The most successful dynasty in China was the Yuan dynasty. The Yuan dynasty also known as the Mongols, ruled Ancient China from 1271 to 1368. They were so successful due to the fast paced slaughtering war method. They were also very successful because of the amount of land they conquered, the two weapons, the composite bow and horse riding that they invented and the silk road that they had control of. I will also counter three claims of the Yuan dynasty.

The Han Dynasty is the largest dynasty since the Zhou Dynasty, although this is not the dynasty for wars like the Zhou was. The year is one hundred and the Dynasty we are living in has learned much from the dynasties before it and used them to shape our civilization today. In the Han Dynasty we use our language, beliefs, and government all together for a successful system to live in. These three things are crucial to our individual lives and why China will retain power for many more dynasties. Another key to our success is the administrated structure we use. The dynasty before us (Qin Dynasty) divided our nation into many parts that were ruled by royal officials. We use this system too, however, we adopted the ideology from Confucius that emphasized

Whether you have learned about it or not, you have probably heard about the Great Wall of China. Eventually stretching more than 13,000 miles across northern China, it has become one of the most visited places in the world. The construction of this famous wall began under the Qin Dynasty. Shi Huangdi, (Emperor of Qin), had believed that the wall would defend the northern border against the Xiongnu, also called Mongols. Many would say that Shi Huangdi was more interested in himself than in the good of his own people.

The Great Wall of China stretches about 5,500 miles long crossing deserts, mountains, grasslands, and plateaus. It took more than 2,000 years to build this incredible manmade structure. Many people died to build this wall. It displays the changes between the agricultural and nomadic civilizations. It proves that the superb structure was very important to military defense. It became a national symbol of the Chinese as a security for their country and its people. The Great Wall of China must be preserved at all cost because it is a historical symbol that made it possible for China and other nations across the world to prosper (UNESCO World Heritage Centre: The Great Wall).

The Qing dynasty was also called the Manchu dynasty. The Qing dynasty lasted from 1644 to 1911/12. During the time the population went from 150 million to 450 million. 1636 was when the Qing dynasty was established. In 1644 Beijing was captured by the rebel leader Li Zicheng. Manchus helped and decided to take china for themselves.

Chinese Dynasties: 1. Shang: Also called Yin, dynasty that was China's earliest historically verifiable state 1766 B.C. to 1122 B.C. A. Reason's for Rise: Unlike the early accounts of history by the Chinese, there is archaeological evidence of the Shang, who built their cities in northern China around the eastern parts of the Yellow River. For this reason they are called the Yellow River civilization. They were a bronze age people; bronze-working seems to have entered China around 2000 BC (about one thousand years after its invention in Mesopotamia). B. Territorial Location & size at height of power (map): The Shang ruled the area from the North China Plain northward into present-day Shantung Province and westward to the tip of Honan

The Forbidden City, also known as Zijincheng is a palace complex and was used by Emperors of china from 1420 to 1911 A.D. With more than 8,700 rooms, 24 emperors occupied the forbidden city. The Ming Dynasty spent 14 years and hired about a million workers to build Zijincheng. Zijincheng “was ordered built by Zhu Di (the Yongle Emperor) who lived A.D. 1360-1424. He was crowned emperor in 1402 after forcefully overthrowing his nephew”. The Forbidden City is enclosed by a 10 meter high defensive wall for security.

The Ming Dynasty’s artistic style was influenced by its political events. In 1368, Zhu Yuan Zhang overthrew the Mongols’ Yuan empire to start the Ming empire. His son, Zhu Di, eventually became the Yongle emperor, and the capital moved from Nanjing to Beijing (“An Introduction to the Ming Dynasty”). Numerous citizens were involved with the court, and they served “the needs of the imperial family and the official bureaucracy” (“An Introduction to the Ming Dynasty”). In order to legitimize its rule, this empire adopted political traditions from earlier dynasties, such as the Tang and Song (“Ming Dynasty Education and Tradition”).

Spence, Jonathan D. Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of K'ang-His. (Vintage; Reissue edition, October 22, 1988). http://www.amazon.com/Emperor-China-Self-Portrait-Jonathan-Spence/dp/067972074X#reader_067972074X.

The Ming Dynasty had created an empire. They had the government, the military, and the economic system to prove it. At different points in time, The Chinese Empire was the greatest in the world, for trade, military, and other key factors in a society.