Hi y'all!
Like all dynasties, the Ming ended up declining with less central control and a more important role for the eunuch.
My question, when can we say it started? Can we say they were already in decline in the 1520's when the Portuguese arrived or was it later?
What would you say were the causes?
It seems the dynasty founder made the state less centered on the administration and more on the emperor, which caused issues with weak rulers.
Thoughts?