Posted inChinese History

The Fall of Beijing (1644): The Ming Capital Falls to Rebels and Then Manchus – Examine the Events Leading Up to the Capture of Beijing by Li Zicheng’s Peasant Rebels and the Subsequent Entry of Manchu Forces Led by Prince Dorgon, Marking the End of the Ming Dynasty and the Beginning of the Qing.

The Fall of Beijing (1644): A Comedy of Errors, Revolts, and Really Bad Weather (A Lecture on the End of the Ming and the Rise of the Qing) (Disclaimer: Historical…
Posted inReligion

Exploring the Nature of God Across Monotheistic Traditions: Unpack the Diverse Conceptions of the Divine in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Examining Ideas of Omnipotence, Omniscience, Benevolence, And The Philosophical Challenges and Similarities in Understanding a Single, Supreme Being.

Exploring the Nature of God Across Monotheistic Traditions: A Comedic Lecture on a Serious Subject 🏛️ (Opening Slide: A cartoon image of three stick figures, one wearing a kippah, one…
Posted inChinese History

The Manchu Invasion of China (beginning 1618): From Tribal Confederation to Imperial Conquerors – Examine the Rise of the Manchu Under Nurhaci and Hong Taiji, Their Unification of Jurchen Tribes, Their Development of a Military and Administrative System, And Their Initial Invasions of Ming Territory Leading up to the Conquest of China.

The Manchu Invasion of China (beginning 1618): From Tribal Confederation to Imperial Conquerors (A Lecture on the Rise of the Qing Dynasty) (🎤 clears throat, adjusts microphone) Alright everyone, settle…
Posted inChinese History

The Wanli Emperor’s Reign (1572-1620): Decline and Dysfunction in the Late Ming – Explore the Longest Reign of a Ming Emperor, Examining His Early Reforms Followed by Decades of Neglect of Governmental Duties, Political Factionalism, And The Growing Internal and External Problems That Weakened the Dynasty Leading up to Its Fall.

The Wanli Emperor's Reign (1572-1620): Decline and Dysfunction in the Late Ming – A Royal Mess 👑 (Lecture Hall Setting: Imagine a slightly dusty, but grand, lecture hall. A screen…
Posted inChinese History

The Jiajing Emperor’s Reign (1521-1567): Isolation, Daoism, and Coastal Piracy – Explore the Long and Often Neglected Reign of the Jiajing Emperor, Examining His Obsession with Daoist Practices, His Withdrawal from Government Affairs, And The Challenges Faced by the Dynasty, Including Widespread Coastal Piracy (Wokou).

The Jiajing Emperor's Reign (1521-1567): Isolation, Daoism, and Coastal Piracy – A Wild Ride Through the Ming Dynasty's Mid-Life Crisis (Disclaimer: Buckle up, history buffs! This lecture is going to…
Posted inChinese History

The Tumu Crisis (1449): A Ming Emperor Captured by Mongols – Examine the Military Disaster Where the Ming Emperor Yingzong Was Captured by the Oirat Mongols, Exploring the Political Infighting and Military Mismanagement That Led to This Humiliating Defeat and Its Impact on Ming Dynasty Stability and Defense.

The Tumu Crisis (1449): A Ming Emperor Captured by Mongols – A Royal Pain in the Steppe! 😩 (Lecture delivered with suitable dramatic flair, perhaps accompanied by a slideshow of…
Posted inChinese History

The Yongle Emperor’s Reign (1402-1424): Building the Forbidden City and Launching Grand Voyages – Explore the Energetic Reign of the Third Ming Emperor, Examining His Usurpation of the Throne, His Relocation of the Capital to Beijing and Construction of the Forbidden City, And His Commissioning of the Voyages of Zheng He, Marking a Period of Ambitious Projects.

The Yongle Emperor's Reign (1402-1424): Building the Forbidden City and Launching Grand Voyages - An Era of Ambitious Projects! (Welcome, history buffs and armchair adventurers! Settle in, grab a cup…
Posted inChinese History

The Establishment of the Ming Dynasty (1368): Zhu Yuanzhang Becomes the Hongwu Emperor – Examine the Events Leading Up to and Including the Proclamation of the Ming Dynasty, Marking the End of Mongol Rule and the Return of Han Chinese Rule to China, Exploring the Hongwu Emperor’s Consolidation of Power and His Early Policies.

The Establishment of the Ming Dynasty (1368): Zhu Yuanzhang Becomes the Hongwu Emperor – A Lecture on Kicking Out the Mongols and Building a New China (Grab your tea 🍵…
Posted inChinese History

The Red Turban Rebellion (1351-1368): Uprising Against the Yuan Dynasty and the Rise of the Ming – Examine the Widespread Rebellion Against Mongol Rule That Contributed to the Yuan Dynasty’s Collapse, Exploring the Various Factions and Leaders, And The Eventual Emergence of Zhu Yuanzhang (Hongwu Emperor) as the Leader Who Founded the Ming Dynasty.

The Red Turban Rebellion (1351-1368): From Chaos to Crimson Glory 🌹 (A Lecture on How Mongol Rule Met Its Match) Alright, settle in, settle in! Grab your metaphorical tea 🍵…