History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 12

History - Essay Example However, as former peasant, he was still sympathetic to the plight of the poor and so he kept taxes low and the granaries stocked in order to be prepared to meet famine (MNSU, n.d). He also established military superiority over the civilians both as a means of control over the people and as a means of defense against the Mongols continually threatening its territories. Hongwu also sought to control all aspects of government and he was able to keep the social order through the military and through his rigid administrative process (MNSU, n.d). Based on their values, the Aztecs maintained a socially stratified society and the family were considered the most important unit in that society (Rodriguez, 1994). They also emphasized on women or girls learning feminine duties like cooking, cleaning, and sewing. They also valued personal discipline, respect for the law, diligence, honesty, and respect for others (Rodriguez, 1994). Ming China, on the other hand, valued change within tradition, one which was â€Å"stable but lacked dynamic development† (Reich & Cunningham, 2005, p. 374). This resulted to economic decline among the people as the rulers also became corrupt; they also faced growing unrest among the people who were highly inclined to participate in rebellion and banditry (Reich & Cunningham, 2005). On an economic plane, the Aztecs and Ming China more or less experienced flourishing economies during their era. The Aztecs mostly bartered their wares with each other through marketplaces which were bustling areas of economic exchange. The currencies used were mostly cacao beans and cotton capes and through these currencies, the Aztecs experienced economic progress (Microsoft Corporation, 1999). Economic progress was also seen in China during the Ming Dynasty through increased food supply on account of the agricultural revolution