Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 AD)

In the mid-thirteenth century, the Mongols led by their Great Khan (Kublai Khan) conquered north China, Korea, the Muslim kingdoms of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. With the powerful strength of the empire, Kublai Khan, a grandson of Great Khan destroyed the Song dynasty and established the Yuan dynasty. It was the first time that the aliens ruled all of China. And also the Yuan dynasty initiated the first direct contacts between China and the West.

The first emperor of the Yuan dynasty, Kublai Khan recognized that rule over China was very complicated and the establishment of political and administrative institutions similar to those native to China would obtain the wide support of Chinese. However, all the important central and regional positions were monopolized by Mongols and its allied foreigners from West Asia and Europe. Chinese bureaucrats were endowed with less power. The abolishment of the traditional Chinese civil service examinations was a proof for it. Kublai Khan divided China into provinces and dispatched officials to govern them. In order to control inland of China, Kublai moved the capital from Karakorum in Mongolia to Beijing in China. The construction of the new capital based on traditional Chinese models was started in 1266AD. It is since then that Beijing became the national capital.

In Yuan dynasty, agriculture was fostered. The new crop like sorghum was introduced to China. Meanwhile cotton was widely planted. In addition, early Yuan emperors sought to protect the peasants by devising a regular, fixed system of taxation. With the peace imposed on much of Asia by the Mongols, the land route trade became booming. Meanwhile, maritime trade started to be flourished. Overseas merchants brought horses, carpets, medicines, and spices to China, and exported Chinese textiles, ceramics, and lacquer ware. Fostered trade accorded merchants a high social status. Moreover, the use of paper money also stipulated commerce. Active trade also introduced some Chinese innovations like printing techniques and porcelain to Europe, while the production of thin glass and cloisonne were brought to China. Due to the comparatively easy access to China, many people traveled to China. Best known of the foreigners believed to have reached China during this period was the Marco Polo, whose account of his travels portrays the wealth and splendor of Chinese cities.

In the vast territory of he Yuan dynasty, culture was very diversified. The major cultural achievements were the development of drama and the novel. The cultural exchange between China and western countries had a notable impact on Chinese culture. Western musical instruments were introduced to enrich the Chinese performing arts. From this period, Islam and Roman Catholicism enjoyed a period of toleration. Tibetan Buddhism became the state religion. Advances were realized in the fields of cartography and geography, and scientific education.

In the Yuan dynasty, disastrous military campaigns against Japan and many public constructions like the renovation of Grand Canal drained the empire strength. The famine brought by the big floods in around 1330 AD speeded up the collapse of the empire. The long time discrimination to Chinese caused the wide resentment towards the Mongols. Eventually uprisings sprung up in every province of China, one of the rebellion leaders was successful to overthrow the Mongolian Yuan dynasty in the 1371.