Ming Dynasty(明代):
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: míng dài，Written as:

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history established by the Han Chinese, lasting 276 years.
Founded by Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming Dynasty emerged from humble beginnings. Zhu Yuanzhang, born into poverty, joined the rebellion against the Yuan dynasty amidst nationwide chaos at the end of the Yuan period. After years of warfare, he declared himself emperor in Nanjing in 1368, establishing the Ming Dynasty with the reign title Hongwu. Initially, the capital was set in Nanjing, but in 1421, it was moved to Beijing by Emperor Yongle.
The Ming Dynasty strengthened imperial power by abolishing the position of Prime Minister, making the six ministries directly accountable to the emperor, which centralized power to an unprecedented extent. During the Yongle era, an imperial cabinet was established as an advisory body to the emperor, though it had no real power. Over time, the Grand Secretaries of the cabinet gradually gained some authority, but they primarily served the emperor. To tighten control over bureaucrats and the populace, specialized agencies such as the Ming storm troopers and the Eastern Depot were set up for surveillance and espionage.
Agriculture, handicrafts, and commerce developed rapidly during the Ming Dynasty, leading to a flourishing commodity economy with Suzhou and Hangzhou at the center of industrial and commercial cities. Initially, the dynasty implemented a maritime ban restricting foreign trade, but this policy was gradually relaxed in the later period due to issues like Japanese pirates and smuggling. The “Single Whip Law” was introduced, which consolidated taxes and labor services into one, simplifying the collection process.
The Ming Dynasty was a golden age for the development of Chinese culture, with significant achievements in novels, dramas, and paintings. Notably, two of the Four Great Classical Novels, “Journey to the West” and “Water Margin,” were written during this period. Important works such as Li Shizhen’s “Compendium of Materia Medica,” Song Yingxing’s “Tiangong Kaiwu,” and Xu Guangqi’s “Comprehensive Agricultural Treatise” made significant contributions to medicine, crafts, and agriculture.
During the Yongle period, Zheng He’s seven voyages to the Western Seas expanded China’s maritime connections with Asia and Africa. The Ming Dynasty had complex relations with Mongol and Jurchen groups. To defend against northern nomadic tribes, parts of the Great Wall were constructed. Coastal areas were harassed by Japanese pirates, prompting the dynasty to take measures against them.
In the latter part of the Ming Dynasty, issues like eunuch dominance, frequent natural disasters, and heavy taxation exacerbated social conflicts. The peasant uprising led by Li Zicheng overthrew the Ming Dynasty, and Beijing was captured in 1644, leading to the suicide of Emperor Chongzhen. Following the fall of the Ming, the Qing forces entered the pass and gradually unified the country, establishing the Qing Dynasty.
The Ming Dynasty had a profound impact on subsequent generations; its political system, cultural achievements, and foreign exchanges hold significant positions in Chinese history. Cultural heritages such as Ming porcelain and architecture (like the Forbidden City in Beijing) are also vital components of the Chinese civilization. As a feudal dynasty, the Ming Dynasty holds a crucial place in Chinese history, and its rise and fall have had a lasting impact on historical developments that followed.