top of page
The Ming dynasty 明 (1368-1644) was, after more than 400 years, the first that was able to reunite China under a native government. Its first capital (jingshi 京師) of Ming Dynasty was located in modern Nanjing 南京, Jiangsu. The Yongle Emperor 永樂 (r. 1403-1424) decided to move the capital to the north, partially to get rid of the domination of the southern elite, but also, to be closer to the frontier to theMongols, and be able to control them in a more efficient way. The new capital was and ancient site of the capital of the Yuan dynasty 元 (1279-1368). It was called "Northern Capital" Beijing 北京, and is identical to the modern Beijing. The former, now "Southern Capital" Nanjing 南京 was from them on the secondary capital of the Ming empire.
To prohibit the northern nomad tribes to undertake raids on Chinese soil and territory, the "Great Wall" was rebuilt. During the 16th century, pirate attacks on Chinese coastal cities were quite severe. Many pirates were of Japanese origin, but most of them were Chinese. The Ming government therefore decided to evacuate the whole coastline and forced peasants to settle down in the hinterland. The Japanese warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi tried to conquer Korea (Chosòn), a state that was subject to Ming China in the tribute system. Ming China was therefore obliged to fight againt the Japanese invaders.
bottom of page