Which of the following statements best interprets why the Ming Dynasty fell?(1 point) Responses The Ming empire was overwhelmed by attacks from outside countries and could not fight back. The Ming empire was overwhelmed by attacks from outside countries and could not fight back. A combination of internal and external forces weakened the Ming Dynasty over time. A combination of internal and external forces weakened the Ming Dynasty over time. Inflation became too high and made it challenging for people to keep their living standards. Inflation became too high and made it challenging for people to keep their living standards. People came to believe that the emperor was no longer blessed by the gods and should not rule.
A combination of internal and external forces weakened the Ming Dynasty over time.
The statement that best interprets why the Ming Dynasty fell is: "A combination of internal and external forces weakened the Ming Dynasty over time."
The correct statement that best interprets why the Ming Dynasty fell is: "A combination of internal and external forces weakened the Ming Dynasty over time."
To arrive at this answer, let's examine the options and how these factors contributed to the fall of the Ming Dynasty:
1. "The Ming empire was overwhelmed by attacks from outside countries and could not fight back." - While external attacks did occur during the final years of the dynasty, such as the invasion of the Manchus, it is important to consider both the internal and external factors that led to the fall.
2. "Inflation became too high and made it challenging for people to keep their living standards." - High inflation certainly affected the economy during the later period of the dynasty. However, it alone does not explain the complete downfall.
3. "People came to believe that the emperor was no longer blessed by the gods and should not rule." - While public perception and belief in the divine legitimacy of the emperor played a role, it was not the primary cause of the fall.
The accurate explanation is a combination of internal and external factors. Internally, the Ming Dynasty faced issues such as corruption, agricultural difficulties, income disparities, and factionalism within the ruling elites, which weakened the government's ability to govern effectively. Externally, the Ming faced threats from nomadic tribes, the Japanese invasions of Korea, and ultimately the invasion of the Manchus, leading to the establishment of the Qing Dynasty.
Thus, a mixture of internal problems and external challenges contributed to the decline and collapse of the Ming Dynasty over time.