Changes

A system of so-called tax farmers (local or regional intermediaries who collected taxes on behalf of the central government) was established, along with an extensive communication system based around a network of post-towns. Metal or wooden paiza tablets ("Mongol passports") were required for one to be permitted use of the inns, supplies, and horses at these post-towns.

A system of so-called tax farmers (local or regional intermediaries who collected taxes on behalf of the central government) was established, along with an extensive communication system based around a network of post-towns. Metal or wooden paiza tablets ("Mongol passports") were required for one to be permitted use of the inns, supplies, and horses at these post-towns.

The Black Death which ravaged Europe in the 14th century, killing as much as 2/3 of the population in some areas, is generally said to have spread out of southwestern China (Yunnan) or Burma during the Yuan Dynasty. Though often overlooked in considerations of Asian history, for its great overshadowing prominence in European history, the bubonic plague may have also contributed to a reduction of China's population by as much as 1/3, from roughly 120 million in 1300 to around 80 million in 1400.<ref>Elman, et al, 406-407.</ref>

The Black Death which ravaged Europe in the 14th century, killing as much as 2/3 of the population in some areas, is generally said to have spread out of southwestern China (Yunnan) or Burma during the Yuan Dynasty. In [[1331]] alone, the plague may have killed as much as 90% of the population of [[Hebei province|Northern Zhili province]] (around Beijing), spreading from there south along the coast, hitting nearly every major city in the empire by the 1350s.<ref>Elman, et al, 430.</ref> Though often overlooked in considerations of Asian history, for its great overshadowing prominence in European history, the bubonic plague may have also contributed to a reduction of China's population by as much as 1/3, from roughly 120 million in 1300 to around 80 million in 1400.<ref>Elman, et al, 406-407.</ref> As is common throughout history in times of plague, famine, or the like, this led to uprisings/rebellions, millenarian cults, and a weakening of faith in or loyalty to the government, whose response to the plague - like the response of almost any government to almost any disaster in history - was not sufficient in the eyes of many of the people. Many came to believe the [[Emperor Huizong of Yuan|emperor]], or the dynasty as a whole, had lost the [[Mandate of Heaven]]. The most prominent of these rebellions was by a group known as the [[Red Turbans]], after the red scarves or headbands they wore (not actual turbans).

Following the successful rebellion of [[Hongwu Emperor|Zhu Yuanzhang]] and establishment of the Ming Dynasty in China in [[1368]], the Mongol leadership split into number of confederations, under separate khans, one of whom continued to rule in the name of the Yuan Dynasty. The Mongols never again regained control of China, but did continue to threaten and harass the Chinese Empire for more than two hundred years. In [[1449]], one khan managed to kidnap the Ming Emperor, and Mongol forces threatened the walls of Beijing in the mid-16th century. It was not until [[1571]] that the Ming managed to establish a formal peace with the Mongols.

Following the successful rebellion of Red Turban member [[Hongwu Emperor|Zhu Yuanzhang]] and establishment of the Ming Dynasty in China in [[1368]], the Mongol leadership split into number of confederations, under separate khans, one of whom continued to rule in the name of the Yuan Dynasty. The Mongols never again regained control of China, but did continue to threaten and harass the Chinese Empire for more than two hundred years. In [[1449]], one khan managed to kidnap the Ming Emperor, and Mongol forces threatened the walls of Beijing in the mid-16th century. It was not until [[1571]] that the Ming managed to establish a formal peace with the Mongols.

==Emperors of the Yuan Dynasty==

==Emperors of the Yuan Dynasty==