Fall of the Mongols & Founding of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Fall of the Yuan (1260-1368)

Environmental instability

Global cooling

36 exceptionally cold winters in 14th c.

Changes in course of Yellow River, 1194, 1289 and 1344

Grand Canal cut

Serious epidemics, 1340s-1350s

Bubonic plague?

Factional infighting at the court

Rebellions in provinces

Originated in Huai River region in 1351

Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398)

Born Fengyang, Anhui Province

A bad summer of 1344

Drought, Yellow River flooding, locusts, and epidemics

Ordained as Buddhist Monk

Wandered for 3 years

Studied in monastery, 1348-52

Monastery burned, 1352

Fighting between Yuan and Red Turbans

Red Turban Rebel, 1352-68

White Lotus Religion (Red Turbans)

Popular Religion with elements of Buddhism and Manichaeism

Prince of Radiance (Manichaen leader of Light)

Maitreya (Buddha of the Future)

Followers

Landless wanderers

Zhu Yuanzhang at 23

Smart
Imposing
Ugly

Leader of Red Turban band, 1354 at age 26

24 loyal officers

Expanded following by recruiting other leaders

Paranoia

Triumph of Zhu Yuanzhang, 1355-68

Keys to success

Established base at Nanjing, 1355

Military and Economic advantages

Military leadership

Stabilized farming populace

Downgrading of Red Turban ideas

South to north unification

Anomalous in Chinese history

Ming Dynasty Founding

Northern Campaign, Nov. 1367

Ming Dynasty founding, Jan. 1368

Capture of Beijing, Sept. 1368