Founding of the Ming Dynasty

Timeline

1. 1368Yingtian · Jiangsu ProvinceZhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne at Yingtian, adopted the state name Great Ming, changed the era name to Hongwu, and issued an edict to the realm, formally announcing the new dynasty's establishment and its replacement of the Yuan's orthodox legitimacy.
2. 1368–1369Yingtian · Jiangsu ProvinceThe new dynasty made Yingtian its capital, established central organs such as the Six Ministries and the Censorate, reorganized local administration and military systems, and dispatched Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and others on northern campaigns, gradually taking over the governing structure left by the Yuan court.
3. 1368–1370China proper · ChinaIn autumn 1368 Ming forces captured Dadu and the Yuan emperor Shun moved north; by around 1370 the Ming had essentially established control over the Central Plains and Jiangnan, ending Mongol Yuan orthodoxy in China proper, restoring Han Chinese rule and shaping East Asian politics for nearly three centuries.