China, imperial: 7. Ming dynasty period, 1368–1644

Abstract

Abstract The Ming dynasty, also known as Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China for 276 years (1368–1644) following the collapse of the Mongol regime Yuan dynasty. The founder Zhu Yuanzhang was from humble origins and founded his capital in Nanjing, Jiangsu. However, most historians believed that the power of Chinese monarchical absolutism reached its peak in the Ming dynasty because of Zhu Yuanzhang's authoritarian rule. To secure his power, he resolutely and unprecedentedly abolished the position of prime minister and had direct control over the six ministries. As a result, the government was controlled by powerful Grand Secretaries and subsequently by domineering eunuchs when the succeeding emperors were not as capable as the founding emperors. Declining governmental effectiveness came to a climax in the reign of Emperors Shizong and Shenzong when eunuch factions and the Donglin Party fought internecine struggles at the Ming court. During the same period of time, Ming China suffered from a series of crises, in particular the invasion of the Manchus from the north in Liaodong Province and peasant rebellions in the south. Eventually, the domestic rebel Li Zicheng captured Beijing in 1644, the frontier general Wu Sangui invited the Manchus to crush the rebels, and the Manchus seized the opportunity to take the throne and occupy China.