The imperial Ming dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644. It replaced the Mongol Yuan dynasty which had been in power since the 13th century. Despite challenges from abroad and within, the Ming dynasty oversaw an unprecedented growth in China's population and general economic prosperity. The Ming were succeeded by the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).
More about: Ming DynastyDefinition
Timeline
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1356Zhu Yuanzhang, leader of the rebel Red Turbans Movement and future Ming Hongwu Emperor, takes control of Nanjing.
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1368 - 1398Reign of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty in China.
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1368 - 1644Reign of the Ming Dynasty in China.
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23 Jan 1368Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty, declares himself Emperor of China, taking the reign name Hongwu.
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1370Civil service entrance examinations are reintroduced in China.
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1371 - 1433Life of the great Chinese mariner and explorer Zheng He.
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1398 - 1402Reign of the Jianwen Emperor of the Chinese Ming Dynasty.
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1401Japan joins the tribute system of China's Ming Dynasty.
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1403 - 1424Reign of the Yongle Emperor (aka Chengzu) of the Ming Dynasty.
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1405 - 1433The mariner and explorer Zheng He makes seven voyages from China to India, Arabia and East Africa.
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1407Work begins on the Forbidden City in Beijing.
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1420The Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty establishes the Eastern Depot, a secret service branch of the state bureaucracy.
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1421Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty moves the capital of China from Nanjing to Beijing.
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1424Death of the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty while on campaign against the Mongols.
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1472 - 1529Life of the Chinese philosopher Wang Yangming.
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c. 1557The Chinese Ming Dynasty grants the Portuguese a trading base of their own at Macao.
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1557Ming dynasty forces capture the wako pirate chief Wang Chih.
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1573 - 1620Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty reigns in China.
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1598The popualr Chinese play The Peony Pavilion by Tang Xianzu is written.
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1604The Donglin Academy is founded in Ming Dynasty China.
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1628 - 1644Reign of Chongzhen, the last Ming Dynasty emperor.
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1644A rebel army led by Li Zicheng attacks Beijing, the Ming Dynasty's capital.
