How, and Why, Was the Ming Dynasty Followed by Another

question 72

Essay

How, and why, was the Ming dynasty followed by another non-Chinese dynasty so soon after the Yuan? Was it again a situation in which Chinese disunity proved fatal? Why? Why were the Manchus so successful at establishing a foreign dynasty in China, and what were the main characteristics of Manchu rule? How did economy and society change during the Ming and Qing eras, and to what degree did these changes seem to lead toward an industrial revolution on the European model?

---

Definitions:

Mental Energy

Mental energy refers to the cognitive resources and exertion needed to perform mental tasks, often associated with the capacity for concentration and mental effort.

Psychic Energy

In psychoanalysis, a vital force that powers the mind and motivates behavior, distributed among the id, ego, and superego.

Empirical Scrutiny

The rigorous examination and verification of facts through observation and experimentation.

Psychoanalysts

Professionals trained in psychoanalysis who study how unconscious motives and conflicts shape feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.