The Yuan Dynasty, a phase in Chinese history, is often described as the darkest period. This argument is not groundless, and the political environment of the Yuan Dynasty is indeed staggering. The Yuan Dynasty implemented an ethnic hierarchy that divided people into four classes, from highest to lowest, the Mongols, the Han Chinese, the Southern People, and the Western Regions. This system exacerbated the contradictions between ethnic groups, and made the Han and Nan people oppressed politically, economically, and socially for a long time.
The rulers of the Yuan Dynasty were also not clear, corruption became the norm, and the people lived in hardship. In addition, the Yuan Dynasty also suppressed freedom of religious belief and carried out Buddhism and Taoism, resulting in the displacement of many religious figures. Although the Yuan Dynasty made economic and cultural achievements, its political darkness and social contradictions left a deep mark on Chinese history.
However, we cannot ignore the complexity of history. While there were many dark sides to the Yuan Dynasty, there were also positive sides. For example, the unification of the Yuan Dynasty ended years of war and provided an opportunity for exchanges and integration among various ethnic groups. At the same time, the Yuan Dynasty also made some achievements in culture, inherited and developed the cultural traditions of the previous dynasties, and carried out certain innovations and developments in Mongolian culture. Therefore, we should look at history comprehensively and objectively, recognizing both the dark side and the positive side of the Yuan Dynasty. Only in this way can we truly learn the lessons of history and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.