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Period: Mar 11, 1150 to Mar 11, 1450
1. The Great Zimbabwe
The remains of Zimbabwe were discovered by Portuguese soldiers in 1450 who estimated the kingdom reigned for 300 years before being abandoned.
Zimbabwe was located in a strategic area between gold fields and trading cities. They built walls 30 feet tall and grew wealthy off nearby trade. From 1200 to 1450, it was the largest kingdom in sub-Saharan Africa.
This was significant because the people of Zimbabwe were prosperous and able to control trade in the area.
Pages 369-371 in the history book -
Period: Mar 11, 1368 to
2. The Ming Dynasty, started by Zhu Yuanzhang
China began to prosper. They rebuilt the Grand Canal, connecting two major rivers and allowing crops to be transferred from south to north. Taxes were proportional. Roads/waterways were improved so goods could be marketed. The Forbidden City was built for the emperor. Zheng He explored the Asian coast. The Great Wall was rebuilt in the mid-1500s.
The emperor didn't want traders/foreigners, so he resorted to isolationism, cutting off China from European technology.
Pages 384-389, history book. -
Mar 11, 1420
4. The Forbidden City, built by the order of the Hongwu Emperor
It had 9000 rooms and walls and a moat. In 178 acres, it had many buildings. The buildings faced south, where good spirits came. The entrance had fierce carvings of "earthenware creatures, said to protect the city"
This was where the emperor ruled, where everything was built to show the emperor's might. No commoners were allowed. It was meant to show the significance of the Ming Dynasty.
Page 386 in the history book. -
Period: to
3. The Qing Dynasty, started by the Manchu
Once in rule, they established the new government wouldn't let anyone get away with anything. They brought back Chinese traditions like original Confucian values and writing system. They kept a rigid rule, but also kept China prosperous for centuries. They continued to fight Mongols, eventually emerging victorious. They expanded borders past modern-day China's borders.
As Qing Dynasty also maintained isolationism, China fell further behind in advances of others.
Pages 389-390 in history book -
5. The Taj Mahal, commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
Its building process lasted over 20 years, from 1632 to 1653 as a mausoleum for the emperor's favorite wife. It has gardens, a mosque, and is made of white marble.
It stands today as a monument of success and prosperity of the Mughal empire. It is still visited by millions of people. It is considered to be a world heritage site. It combines Persian, Turkish, and Hindu styles of architecture.
Source: Link text
Last sentence: Page 383 in the history book