Ming–Northern Mongol Campaigns and the Oirat Frontier (1368–1520s)

1. Ming dynasty founded and Yuan driven north

   Jan 23, 1368Labels: Ming dynasty, Northern Yuan, Zhu Yuanzhang

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

2. Hongwu’s 1372 northern expedition into Mongolia

   Jan 1, 1372Labels: Hongwu Emperor, Mongolia

   • Ayushiridara
   • Britannica

3. Ming campaign forces Naghachu’s surrender in Manchuria

   Jan 1, 1387Labels: Naghachu, Manchuria, Uriankhai

   • Uriankhai
   • Britannica

4. Ming victory at the Battle of Buir Lake

   May 18, 1388Labels: Lan Yu, Buir Lake, Northern Yuan

   • Buir Lake
   • Dreyer Stanford

5. Eastern Mongols defeat Ming at the Battle of Kherlen

   Sep 23, 1409Labels: Qiu Fu, Kherlen River, Eastern Mongols

   • Kherlen
   • Tsai UW Press

6. Yongle’s first major steppe expedition

   Mar 25, 1410Labels: Yongle Emperor, Mongolian Plateau

   • Yongle Campaigns
   • Britannica

7. Yongle’s second expedition targets the Oirats

   Apr 6, 1414Labels: Oirats, Yongle Emperor

   • Yongle Campaigns
   • Britannica

8. Final Yongle campaign; emperor dies on return

   Aug 12, 1424Labels: Yongle Emperor, fifth expedition

   • Yongle Campaigns
   • Britannica

9. Oirat invasion culminates in the Tumu Crisis

   Sep 1, 1449Labels: Esen Taishi, Tumu Fortress, Oirats

   • Tumu Crisis
   • Britannica

10. Nine Garrisons system anchors northern frontier defense

    Jan 1, 1450Labels: Nine Garrisons, frontier commands

    • Britannica
    • Nine Garrisons

11. Yingzong released and returns to Ming custody

    Sep 1, 1450Labels: Yingzong, Jingtai Emperor

    • EBSCO
    • Britannica

12. First major Ming Great Wall construction climax begins

    Jan 1, 1466Labels: Great Wall, Chenghua era

    • npj Heritage Sci
    • Britannica