Final answer:
The Ming Dynasty made numerous changes to strengthen traditional Chinese culture and expand its influence, led by Emperor Hongwu's government reforms, Emperor Yongle's maritime expeditions, and reinforcing Confucianism; although initially successful, these changes eventually led to fiscal strain and the dynasty's fall.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ming Dynasty, known for its efforts to restore and strengthen traditional Chinese culture after the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, made several changes under the leadership of its emperors.
Among these emperors, Zhu Yuanzhang (Emperor Hongwu), the founding emperor, implemented significant government reforms by purging corrupt officials and revising the tax system, alongside initiating the Yellow Register Archives, a comprehensive population survey primarily for taxation which also served as an extensive record of the populace.
Furthermore, his successor, Zhu Di (the Yongle Emperor), commissioned the maritime expeditions led by Zheng He to demonstrate China's power and facilitate tributary trade. Alongside these, the Ming emperors focused on cultural reestablishment by reinforcing Confucian ideals and practices to reshape society after the Mongol rule.
Despite the early prosperity and heightened security measures, such as the maintenance and expansion of the Great Wall of China, the later years saw the Ming Dynasty weakened by fiscal strains brought on by high expenditures, which eventually contributed to its fall and the rise of the Qing Dynasty.