What ways what hongwu a despot?

Answer 1

Hongwu, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, exhibited despotism through his absolute control over the state and suppression of dissent. He centralized power, dismantled the influence of the scholar-officials, and established a secret police to eliminate opposition. His authoritarian rule was marked by harsh punishments for those who challenged his authority and a focus on strict laws to maintain order. Additionally, he implemented policies that favored his own vision of governance, often at the expense of individual freedoms and rights.