China

October 7, 2011 The Ming dynasty had a smaller area of land that was controlled, most likely due to leadership problems.
 * The Ming dynasty and Yuan dynasty**

The Chinese mandarins opened their city gates to Zhu Di, who became the emperor. With this, the Chinese didn’t mind foreigners at all, as Zhu Di was one.
 * Chinese attitudes to foreigners**

2,500,000 people would be housed in the new capital. 3,300,000 is how big the new capital will be.
 * How big the new capital would be**

I can see it. It’s quite small compared to outside of its grounds.
 * Modern-day Forbidden City**

It would end at the western edge of Iraq, if it went in a straight line.
 * Great Wall: 6,400 km**

It went through Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Mongolia.
 * Silk Roads**

China: A missed Opportunity for Global Dominance

1. On what philosophical assumptions are the Hongwu emperor’s words and actions based? The philosophical assumptions that they are based on are the philosophical assumptions of Confucius.

2. Do you think that his actions will solve the problems he refers to? Why or why not? I think that his actions will not solve the problems he refers to. In his way, his actions go against the words of Confucius. His actions which punish the people would lead to them having a fear, but that would not make the people respect him and could only result in causing them to hate him and damage his reputation as Emperor.

3. Does the emperor’s approach to solving the problem of evil behavior in this excerpt differ from that in the first? If so, how? The emperor’s approach to solving problem of evil behavior in this excerpt is much more peaceful and not cruel like the other approach. He also tries to show his power and humanity through it.

4. On what philosophical assumptions are Hongwu’s words here based? Think Chinese philosophy. Hongwu’s words are based on Confucius philosophy.

5. As an official, what would be your reaction to the emperor’s admonitions? As an official, I would be angered by his admonitions. However, I think that the emperor should not be so pretend to be someone he is not and be less hypocritical.

6. The emperor clearly holds himself up as a model of self-restraint for his officials to emulate. As an official, how would you take this? As an official, I would probably take what he believed (or more of what he just seemed to say) as a good example and try to live life that way as well.

7. Would your reaction be changed if you suddenly learned that the Hongwu emperor had dozens of concubines and consorts, with whom he fathered twenty-six sons and sixteen daughters? Yes, I would be a bit angered and disappointed to know how people in power are.