IB History Decline in the 15th Century Notes

Ming China and the End of the Yuan Dynasty

Causes of Decline: Fall of the Yuan Dynasty

• Unpopular Mongol Rule
  • The Yuan Dynasty, run by foreign Mongol leaders, faced growing resentment from the Chinese people, who felt excluded from government jobs.
• Economic Problems
  • Heavy taxes, poor farming conditions, and rising food prices caused poverty and anger among peasants.
• Natural Disasters
  • Floods of the Yellow River and droughts led to famine, weakening the population and economy.
• Rebellion
  • In the mid-1300s, the Red Turbans Rebellion, a mix of peasants and Buddhist fighters, rose up against Mongol control.
• End of the Yuan
  • In 1368, rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang defeated the Mongols, drove them north, and declared himself emperor, founding the Ming Dynasty.

Rise of Seaborne Trade and Cultural Revival

• Reopening Trade
  • The new Ming government focused on rebuilding the economy by improving ports and restarting trade across Asia.
• Zheng He’s Voyages
  • The emperor sent the explorer Zheng He on seven massive sea expeditions across the Indian Ocean (1405–1433), reaching places like India, Arabia, and East Africa.
• Global Connections
  • These voyages spread Chinese goods (silk, porcelain) and brought back foreign treasures and knowledge, making China a world power again.
• Cultural Return
  • The Ming restored Confucian traditions, reintroduced civil service exams, and built new temples and palaces to celebrate Chinese identity.
• Art and Architecture
  • Ming art used bright ceramics, landscape paintings, and detailed designs, symbols of national pride after foreign rule.