Routledge - The Military Collapse of China's Ming Dynasty

Explore a detailed historical analysis of one of the most surprising shifts in East Asian history. This book by Routledge examines the military collapse of China's Ming Dynasty between 1618 and 1644. While many historians focus on socio-economic or political factors to explain the fall of the empire, this work provides a different perspective by looking at the impact of foreign and domestic foes. Readers will learn about the sudden decline of a state that, only decades earlier in the 1590s, had successfully defeated a formidable Japanese force during the attempt to subjugate Korea. This text connects the military failures directly to the state's downfall, offering a fresh look at the Asian States and Empires series. It is an essential resource for students and readers interested in ancient history, Chinese civilization, and the military dynamics of the 17th century.