HST 197 Chapter Notes - Chapter 30-31: Hongwu Emperor, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty
Document Summary
The mongols yuan dynasty experienced very difficult time. Financial mismanagement less to serious economic difficulties. Political conflicts led to assassination and factional fighting among the mongols. The bubonic plague also contributed to the collapse of the yuan dynasty. Increasing birthrate soon helped replenish china"s population. The governance of china returned to chinese hands after the yuan dynasty fell. The new emperor came from a very poor family. He entered a buddhist monastery so that he would have food, clothing and shelter. He was noticed by military commanders because of his size and strength. He lead the rebellious forces that toppled the yuan dynasty. He immediately attempted to erase the mongol empire. He established a government modeled after the chinese dynasties. He had little interest in scholarly matters, but he reestablished the confucian educational and civil service system. Hongwu moved to centralize authority more tightly than ever.
