long reign of the Ming dynasty
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The long reign of the Ming dynasty bridged two periods during which China was ruled by foreign invaders, the Mongols (1271-1368) and the Manchus (1644-1912). The first Ming emperor, Chu Yuan-Chang, drove the Mongols from Peking in 1368. After providing China with nearly three centuries of relative peace, stability and prosperity, the Ming dynasty lost the capital city to a Manchu army in 1644. There are varies reasons that led to the fade of Ming dynasty, abandon of oceanic voyages of exploration, however, can be a very vital one.
One of the most significant possessions during Ming Dynasty was the expedition of maritime, which was proposed by the 3rd Emperor, Yung-lo who tried to extend China's influence beyond her borders by encouraging other rulers to send ambassadors to China to present tribute (Ming). During the period 1405-1433, the Ming Dynasty eunuch Cheng Ho led seven imperial Chinese naval expeditions throughout Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean, Arabia, Africa, Java, and Sumatra.
The voyages served primarily as diplomatic and exploratory missions, in the course of which numerous exotic objects, personnel, and animals were brought back to the court of Emperor Yung-lo. After Yung-los death, his son Zhu Gaozhi succeeded to the throne and put an end to the expeditions. This action was precipitated because of the rivalry between civil officials and court eunuchs in the imperial administration, the immense financial cost of the voyages (Ming).
The abandon of oceanic voyages of exploration solved the rivalry between officials and court eunuchs on short-term financial issues, but the significant trade off on possible military alliance against the troublesome Mongols and other future enemies, which including Manchu army was totally neglected...