In 1368, after the last Mongol emperor was driven out of China, a Buddhist monk named Ming Hong Wu reinstituted control over the country. Hong Wu was the first of the Ming emperors. The dynasty ruled China for 300 years.

Many historians consider the Ming empire important for creating equality and peace throughout China. Their rulers abolished slavery, demanded higher taxes from the rich, and distributed large estates to the poor.

The Ming rulers supported creativity through the arts and erected great buildings. One of their greatest architectural achievements was the Forbidden City in Beijing. The emperor’s family and the royal household were the primary users of the Forbidden City. The complex included temples, parks, and palaces. This large area was off-limits to all foreigners and few Chinese ever saw inside its walls.

After Hong Wu’s death, Admiral Zheng took control in China. Chinese culture and technology flourished. Among the shining examples of this growth were the ships built by the Chinese during this period. China’s ships became more advanced, and by the 1400’s were the largest in the world.

Chinese explorers went on expeditions throughout the Indian Ocean under the command of Admiral Zheng. He and his fleets explored the world’s oceans. They also visited many other countries, although these foreign lands were commonly regarded as inferior by the Chinese.

In the 1500’s, the Chinese began trading with Europeans. The Europeans were interested in trading fur, silk, and especially tea. By 1557, the Portuguese had established their own trading port in Macao, located on the coast of China.

China was one of the most powerful empires in the world. The Chinese people believed they were located at the center of the Earth.

In the 1500’s the country became more isolated and stopped explorations outside of China’s borders. In 1560, Ming forces fought invaders who were conducting pirate raids along China’s borders, until peace was once again restored in China. During this same period, the population of China rose to nearly 150 million.

While the Ming rulers were usually busy taking care of the poor and other internal problems, their warriors had to fight against foreigners like Emperor Hideyoshi of Japan. In 1644, Ssu Tsung, the last of the Ming Emperors, committed suicide and brought an end to the Ming Dynasty.

[Source: World History Encyclopedia]