Imperial China Ming Dynasty

Ming Dynasty was founded by Emperor Hongwu when he defeated the ruling Yuan Dynasty during a period of plagues, revolts and famine in China. The title Hongwu means "Vast Magnificant Military".

Emperor Hongwu reduced the powers of eunuch and barred them from involvement in offical affairs. He introduced Neo-confucian Imperial Exams that provided a source of able officials and a series of pro peasant policies. Emperor Hongwu also imposed high tax to eaken the merchant class and issued a sea ban policy.

He died in 1398 after ruling for 30 years.

1398, Nanjing Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Emperor Hongwu died in 1398 after ruling for 30 years.

Emperor Jianwen was appointed by Emperor Hongwu as the successor. The title Jianwen means "establishing civility".

Emperor Jianwen faced constant challenge from his powerful uncles. His attempts to restrain them led to the Jingnan rebellion. It is believed he died during the rebellion and his uncle Zhu Di took the throne. However, there were rumours that Emperor Jianwen escaped from the palace and this led to speculation as one of the reasons for Emperor Yongle's treasure voyages.

Ming dynasty Emperor Yongle was an ambitious Emperor who widen the Grand Canal, built the Forbidden Palace and commissioned the 6 voyages by Admiral Zheng He.

1420, Construction of Imperial Palace completed

Ming dynasty Emperor Yongle moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing.

Emperor Hongxi took the throne in September 1424. He cancelled the Admiral Zheng He's voyages, restored the Confusian offiicials and attempted to improve the economy. However, the died of a possible heart attack in May 1425.

Emperor Xuande ruled for 10 years. This peaceful period is known as the golden era of Ming Dynasty.

Emperor Xuande reduced tax on imperial land and allowed civilian control over the military.

Admiral Zheng He made the 7th and final voyage during this period.

Emperor Zhengtong was the dynasty's first child Emperor when he took the throne at 8.

At age 22, Emperor Zhengtong was captured ny the Mongols during the Battle of Tumum Fortress. When he was released, he was placed under house arrest by the Emperor Jingtai unitl he staged a coup to regain the throne to rule from 1457 to 1464.

Emperor Jing Tai ruled when his brother Emperor Zhengtong was captured by the Mongols. He ruled for 8 years unitl his brother staged a coup to regain the throne.

Emperor Chenghua changed policies to reduce taxes but suppressed the peasant uprisings and revolts.

Emperor Hongzhi's era name means "Great Government". He was a peaceful Emperor with one Empress and no concubines. He ruled based on Confucius ideology. He oversaw teh stae affairs and reduced goverment spending and taxes. He appointed able people to fill governemnt postions and accepted criticisms.

Emperor Zhengde took the throne at 10 years old but has no interest in managing the state affairs.

Emperor Jiajing's 45 years rule was the second longest among the Ming Dynasty Emperors. Ming Dynasty empire started to decline during this period. Emperor Jiajing did not rule well, the 1556 Shaanxi earthquke was the largest earthquke in history casued huge loss and the empire faced attacks from other empires. Emperor Jiajing died of suspected mercury overdose.

1557, Macau became a legal trading port of the Portuguese

Portuguese signed a treaty with Ming court to use Macao as a trading port.

Emperor Longqing ruled over an empire in disarray and corrupted. He replaced incompetent officals and started tradings with outher major empires. Howver, Emperor Longqing died at 36 before he can complete the reform.

Emperor Wanli's 48 years rule is the longest among the Ming Dynasty Emperors. During the early part of his reign he took full control of the government and the economy prospered and made China a powerful nation. However, in the later part of his regin, Ming Dynasty started to decline as Emperor Wanli did not rule well and Manchus started to raid at the border. Emperor Wanli frequently did not attend to state affiars and the ministers' reortes were not read.

Emperor Taicang was ill 10 days after taking the throne and ruled for less than 30 days. During this short rule, he stopp some unpopular taxes and policies.

Emperor Tianqi when he was 15. He was more interested in his carpentry hobby and the eunuch and his nanny controlled the court and appointed their friends to fill key positions.

During his rule, there were 2 huge earthquake above 7 on the Richter scale occurred and famines in Northern China due to climate change. The farmers' growing seasons were shorthen due to the unusually dry and cold weather.

Emperor Tianqi died in 1627 and his brother became the Emperor as he has no heir.

Emperor Chongzhen was the 16th and last Emperor of Ming Dynasty. He ruled over an Empire faced with famines, droughts and uprisings partly due to a Little Ice Age climate changes at occurred. The Empire also faced attacks by the Manchu. one of teh revolts by Li Zhicheng reached Beijing. Emperor Chongzhen arranged a feast for the Imperial household except his two sons and killed them to prvent their catoure by the rebels. He then hanged himself from a tree in the palace.

1644, Shanhai Pass, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province

Ming's dynasty General Wu Sangui allowed Manchu troops to enter Shanhai Pass, ending Ming Dynasty rule in China.