Ming

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Ming Imperial Chinese dynasty (1368–1644). It was founded by a Buddhist monk and peasant leader, Chu Yüan-chang (r. 1328–98), who expelled the Mongol Yüan dynasty and unified China by 1382. Under the despotic rule of the early Ming Emperors, China experienced a period of great artistic and intellectual distinction and economic expansion. Decline began in the late 16th century, and in 1644 a rebel leader took Beijing. A Ming general summoned aid from the Qing, who overthrew the dynasty and established their own.

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