Ming dynasty

Lore & Background

The Yongle Emperor established Beijing as a secondary capital, constructed the Forbidden City, restored the Grand Canal, and rewarded eunuch supporters, including Zheng He, who led seven enormous voyages into the Indian Ocean as far as Arabia and eastern Africa. By the 16th century, European trade introduced chili peppers, maize, and potatoes, while a massive influx of South American silver re-monetized the economy.

Reader's Guide

The Ming dynasty is significant as the last imperial dynasty ruled by the Han Chinese majority, and for its ambitious state-building projects, including the construction of the Forbidden City and the restoration of the Grand Canal. Its early emperors expanded into Inner Asia and sponsored Zheng He's maritime expeditions, which reached Africa and Arabia. The dynasty's later period saw the fortification of the Great Wall into its modern form and the introduction of New World crops via European trade, which spurred population growth. The Ming also experienced a monetization crisis when paper money hyperinflated, leading to reliance on silver imports; when that supply was disrupted, combined with environmental pressures, the dynasty collapsed.

Did You Know?

• The Ming dynasty's standing army exceeded one million troops, and its navy's dockyards in Nanjing were the largest in the world.
• Zheng He, a eunuch, led seven enormous voyages into the Indian Ocean as far as Arabia and the eastern coasts of Africa.