Ming and Qing Dynasties: China’s Time during the Late Middle Ages

After the fall of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty, China came under the rule of the Ming dynasty, officially known as the Great Ming, from 1368 to 1644. This period marked the culmination of Han Chinese rule in imperial China. Despite the initial rebellion led by Li Zicheng, resulting in the formation of the short-lived Shun dynasty, followed swiftly by the rise of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, remnants of the Ming royal family persisted in various southern regions, collectively known as the Southern Ming, until 1662.

Under the reign of the Hongwu Emperor, who ruled from 1368 to 1398, efforts were made to establish self-sufficient rural communities structured within a rigid societal framework. This system aimed to maintain a permanent class of soldiers loyal to the Ming dynasty. The military strength of the empire flourished, boasting a standing army of over one million troops, while the navy's shipyards in Nanjing became renowned as the largest in the world.

Furthermore, the Hongwu Emperor endeavored to weaken the influence of court eunuchs and other powerful figures by dispersing his numerous sons across the realm and imparting guidance through the Huang-Ming Zuxun, a compilation of dynastic instructions. However, his plans faced setbacks when his successor, the Jianwen Emperor, sought to curb the authority of his uncles. This led to the Jingnan campaign, a rebellion that brought the Yongle Emperor, Prince of Yan, to power in 1402.