The main reasons for China's retreat during the Ming Dynasty
_Zheng He's expeditions.
Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368 - A.D. 1644).
Emperor Taizu, Zhu Yuanzhang (1368-1398).
Emperor Jianwen, suicide (amid the Jingnan Rebellion) (1398-1402).
Emperor Yongle (1402-1424), Zheng He's expeditions (6 times).
Emperor Hongxi (1424-1425), reign lasted only 8 months.
Emperor Xuande (1425-1435), Zheng He's expedition (1 time).
In 1420, the Ming Navy possessed a fleet of 1,350 warships, including 400 large-scale naval fortresses and 250 long-range battleships.
Junk ships were larger than Spanish galleons.
They generated significant profits through trade with islands in India and the Pacific.
The advancement of maritime technology led to overseas exploration and the imposition of tribute on maritime trade.
The most famous official overseas expeditions were the seven long-distance voyages led by Admiral Zheng He from 1405 to 1433.
With the help of eunuchs, Emperor Yongle, who came to power, favored and relied on eunuchs.
Eunuch Zheng He, known for his exceptional skills, was a Hui Muslim from Yunnan Province.
As the destinations of the expeditions were mainly Islamic countries, a significant portion of the expedition members were Muslims.
The purposes of these expeditions were diverse.
In 1399, during the Jingnan Rebellion, Emperor Jianwen, who had committed suicide, was suspected of having escaped to the sea.
Therefore, Emperor Yongle ordered a search of the sea.
After the collapse of the Yuan Dynasty, when the Timurid Empire became powerful, the Ming Dynasty established maritime alliances for defense.
To showcase China's strength and promote maritime trade, the Ming Dynasty sent expedition fleets overseas.
Hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of people formed these expeditionary forces, sailing from Malacca and Sile to the mouth of the Red Sea and the coast of Zanzibar.
However, when it came to Emperor Xuande's reign, the dispatch of expedition fleets was limited to one expedition.
Engaging in trade that goes beyond the exchange of favors based on the principles of Confucianism only results in enormous expenses.
In 1433, China's Ming Dynasty brought an end to overseas expeditions.
Three years later, the emperor issued a decree prohibiting shipbuilding.
Even ships with more than two masts were abandoned according to the detailed decree.
Naval personnel were assigned to small fleets in the Grand Canal.
The large warships of Zheng He were decommissioned.
The main reason for China's retreat during the Ming Dynasty lies in the simplistic conservatism of Confucian bureaucratic ideology.
Amidst a nostalgic atmosphere, the main concern of the officials was the preservation and restoration of the past.
Despite various opportunities that arose overseas, they were determined to turn their backs on the world and stick to traditional order.
China transformed into a closed society, firmly shutting its doors and upholding traditional order.
European merchants, seeking fortunes through geographical discoveries, embarked on galleons to visit China.
Even the Catholic Church, which had lost influence in Europe due to religious reforms, turned its gaze towards China for missionary purposes.
The prospect of a brighter future based on overseas expansion and commerce in China vanishes.
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