Since he had seized the throne by force, Emperor Zhu Di was especially anxious to demonstrate and prove his legitimacy. In 1402, during a devastating civil war, Zhu Di seized the throne from his nephew. Rulers of neighboring states, after acknowledging their "humble submission" and performing ritualized actions such as the ketou (or "kowtow," bowing so that the head touches the floor), exchange of envoys, and trade regulations, gained recognition and were given legitimacy by the Chinese court which might even send aid to them should the need arise.Īfter defeating the Mongol Empire in 1368 and establishing the Ming dynasty, the Chinese emperor attempted to reestablish the tribute relationship with neighboring states. For centuries China had had a long-established tribute relationship with surrounding areas. Written Chinese, the Confucian code of conduct, and leadership based on moral virtue were all signs of China's cultural as well as material superiority. In Chinese, China knows itself as Zhong Guoor the "Middle Kingdom." It thought of itself as not only the largest and oldest power in the world, but also as the source of all civilization. A background essay on the Ming Dynasty, its powerful trade networks and diplomatic missions as far as Africa and the Red Sea, and the domestic tensions that ultimately changed the course of world history.
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