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The Ming Dynasty was one of the most prosperous empires of all time. The Dynasty began when a peasant took control of a rebellion in the Yangtze Valley. The Peasant brought a whole new light to China, as well as a new Dynasty; the Ming Dynasty. Hongwu (first emperor) was seen as one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history for his success and upbringing of the Ming Dynasty. But when the later rulers began to get lazy, the dynasty became corrupted and began to fall. **If there's one thing our society today can learn from the Ming Dynasty, it is that the leader in power reflects the success of your civilization.**

When the Ming Dynasty first came into power, great leaders emerged and pushed the dynasty forward. Hongwu lead his army in the capture of Beijing, eliminating the Yuan Dynasty(1). During his reign, Hongwu instituted military, administrative, and educational transformations that centered power in the emperor. Hongwu wanted to increase agriculture and economy to better the dynasty and began reforesting in the 1390s. Over one billion trees were planted that helped replenish the lumber, food and trade supply(3). Emperor Yongle was another very successful leader. After the capture of Beijing in 1368(1), Yongle relocated Ming's capital from Nanjing to Beijing in 1421(2). This commenced an agriculture and industrial revolution that helped benefit China's trade and economy(3). Emperor Xuande further lead the artistic movement, as an artist himself(4). He made remarkable progressions in the porcelains produced and the art developed(4). These leaders' successes reflected that of the Ming Dynasty and brought great progress to the attainment of this empire.

When the Ming Dynasty began to decline, the rulers paid less attention to their role and were less interested in governing(4). At the end of the golden age, emperors began to neglect their duties and the ones following did the same. As the emperors paid less attention to their roles, the dynasty began to crumble, allowing other agents to bring down the dynasty. As the rulers neglected their duties, they turned their backs on the true problems. Foreign marauders invaded the dynasty in search of plunder and internal rebellions broke out in the dynasty walls(4). The dynasty was shifting from a superior to a weak empire due to the lack of effort the last emperors were putting forth. The failure and neglect of the leaders echoed the success of the Ming Dynasty and began a great decline of the empire.

The Ming Dynasty was prosperous for years, as a result of strong and empowering leaders. But when things get out of hand, the failure and collapse of an empire comes much too soon. Although it may seem far off, the idea of a successful country falling may not be out of the question. We should learn from the mistakes and success of the Ming Dynasty and know that the success of a leader reflects on its country. If we ensure our leaders are responsible, strong and successful our country will be just that.

Source (1) Haw, Stephen G. __Traveller's history of China__. New York: Interlink Books, 1995. Source (2) "Ming." __Minnesota State University, Mankato__. 05 May 2009 <[]> Source (3) Hooker, Richard. "Ming China: The Commercial Revolution." __Washington State University - Pullman, Washington__. 6 June 1999. 05 May 2009 <[|http://wsu.edu/~dee/MING/COMM.HTM]> Source (4) "British Museum - China: Ming dynasty (AD 1368-1644)." __British Museum - Welcome to the British Museum__. The British Museum. 09 May 2009 <[] >