Final answer:
The downfall of the Yuan dynasty was caused by local rebellions, economic issues like rapid inflation, the impact of the bubonic plague, and Mongol factionalism. The dynasty collapsed and the Ming dynasty was founded in 1368, signaling the return to Chinese rule and a period of recovery and growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event that led to the downfall of the Yuan (Mongol) dynasty and the rise of the Ming dynasty was a series of widespread local rebellions by the middle of the fourteenth century. These rebellions were fueled by several factors, including rapid inflation, the detrimental impact of the bubonic plague, and Mongol factionalism. Combined, these issues weakened the Yuan dynasty's grip on power. In 1368, the Yuan dynasty was officially overthrown by rebel forces, who established the Ming dynasty.
The discontent among the Chinese people grew due to the excesses and failures of the Yuan rulers. Expensive military campaigns, such as those in Southeast Asia, proved taxing on the state's resources. Following Kublai Khan's death, the leadership became unstable, with successive emperors lacking interest in governance and failing to connect with both the army and civilians. The situation was exacerbated by internal strife and natural disasters, culminating in the Ming rebellion led by Zhu Yuanzhang, who would become Emperor Hongwu and establish the Ming dynasty, ushering in a period of renewed Chinese rule.