Changes

*''Chinese/Japanese'': 明 ''(Míng / Min)''

*''Chinese/Japanese'': 明 ''(Míng / Min)''

The Ming Dynasty was the last Chinese dynasty to be ruled by a [[Han Chinese]] Imperial line. The dynasty began with the [[1368]] overthrow of the [[Mongol]] [[Yuan Dynasty]] by Han Chinese rebels, and ended with the fall of [[Beijing]] to [[Manchu]] invaders in [[1644]], marking the beginning of the [[Qing Dynasty]], China's last imperial dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty was the last Chinese dynasty to be ruled by a [[Han Chinese]] Imperial line. The dynasty began with the [[1368]] overthrow of the [[Mongol]] [[Yuan Dynasty]] by Han Chinese rebels, and ended with the fall of [[Beijing]] to [[Manchu]] invaders in [[1644]], marking the beginning of the [[Qing Dynasty]], China's last imperial dynasty.  

The Ming is known for numerous prominent cultural developments, including the voyages of [[Zheng He]], the development of ''[[kunqu]]'' drama, and the rise of [[literati painting]] (and concordant decline in appreciation for court painting), and the reconstruction of the [[Great Wall]] and [[Forbidden City]]. Much of the Ming elements of the Great Wall and Forbidden City survive today.

The Ming is known for numerous prominent cultural developments, including the voyages of [[Zheng He]], the development of ''[[kunqu]]'' drama, and the rise of [[literati painting]] (and concordant decline in appreciation for court painting), and the reconstruction of the [[Great Wall]] and [[Forbidden City]]. The Ming capital was originally established at [[Nanjing]] by the first Ming emperor, the [[Hongwu Emperor]], but after the [[Yongle Emperor]] seized power in [[1402]] by attacking and destroying the palace at Nanjing, he returned the capital to Beijing. Much of the Ming elements of the Great Wall and Forbidden City survive today.

The Ming Dynasty was also the first to establish [[tribute]] relations with Japan (briefly, under the [[Ashikaga shogunate]]), and with the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. Though the Ming, at times, implemented strict policies of [[hai jin|maritime restrictions]], in other ways, or at other times, it was also a high point of trade and foreign relations.

The Ming Dynasty was also the first to establish [[tribute]] relations with Japan (briefly, under the [[Ashikaga shogunate]]), and with the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. Though the Ming, at times, implemented strict policies of [[hai jin|maritime restrictions]], in other ways, or at other times, it was also a high point of trade and foreign relations.

Areas of northern China which became relatively depopulated during the period of Mongol rule were resettled during the Ming, and the [[Grand Canal]] was reopened in [[1415]], reconnecting a vital trade route between north and south. Expanded Chinese settlement of certain upland areas of the southwest led to conflicts with the [[Miao people]], while many Chinese also began settling on the island of [[Taiwan]] and in various parts of Southeast Asia.<ref>Craig, 101.</ref>

Areas of northern China which became relatively depopulated during the period of Mongol rule were resettled during the Ming, and the [[Grand Canal]] was reopened in [[1415]], reconnecting a vital trade route between north and south. Expanded Chinese settlement of certain upland areas of the southwest led to conflicts with the [[Miao people]], while many Chinese also began settling on the island of [[Taiwan]] and in various parts of Southeast Asia.<ref>Craig, 101.</ref>

The lower Yangzi region surrounding the cities of [[Hangzhou]] and [[Suzhou]] (and modern-day [[Shanghai]]) became increasingly densely populated and commercialized over the course of the Ming period. Ninety percent of agricultural land in that region came to be owned by absentee landlords, who rented out the land to tenant farmers, and who came to chiefly grow cash crops such as cotton and silk. Textile merchants in the cities began to organize and oversee entire streams of production, from the tenant farmers producing raw materials, to workshops in rural areas and provincial cities & towns spinning thread and weaving and dyeing fabric, to their own storefronts in the big cities. While rural areas and big cities (Beijing, Hangzhou, Canton) saw considerable growth over the course of the Ming period, it was these provincial cities which saw the most urban expansion. Even so, regional economic activity remained far stronger than national networks<ref>By contrast, Edo period Japan saw considerable national integration, with goods from all regions passing through [[Edo]] and [[Osaka]], and making their way throughout the country.</ref>

The lower Yangzi region surrounding the cities of [[Hangzhou]] and [[Suzhou]] (and modern-day [[Shanghai]]) became increasingly densely populated and commercialized over the course of the Ming period. Ninety percent of agricultural land in that region came to be owned by absentee landlords, who rented out the land to tenant farmers, and who came to chiefly grow cash crops such as cotton and silk. Textile merchants in the cities began to organize and oversee entire streams of production, from the tenant farmers producing raw materials, to networks of spinners, weavers, and dyers working out of their homes in rural areas and provincial cities & towns, to their own storefronts in the big cities. While rural areas and big cities (Beijing, Hangzhou, Canton) saw considerable growth over the course of the Ming period, it was these provincial cities which saw the most urban expansion. Even so, regional economic activity remained far stronger than national networks.<ref>By contrast, Edo period Japan saw considerable national integration, with goods from all regions passing through [[Edo]] and [[Osaka]], and making their way throughout the country.</ref> Urbanization brought with it the further expansion & development of urban landscapes which first emerged in a serious way in the Song Dynasty, filled with restaurants, teahouses, and brothels.

The tax system was streamlined in the 16th century, in what was known as the [[Single Whip Reform]]. Thirty or forty separate land taxes were combined into a single tax obligation, no longer paid in kind (i.e. in grain, or other products), but in silver. Farmers were expected to sell their agricultural products at market to earn the coin necessary to pay their taxes.

The tax system was streamlined in the 16th century, in what was known as the [[Single Whip Reform]]. Thirty or forty separate land taxes were combined into a single tax obligation, no longer paid in kind (i.e. in grain, or other products), but in silver. Farmers were expected to sell their agricultural products at market to earn the coin necessary to pay their taxes.