Zheng He

Zheng He’s Voyages (1405-1433)

·      Establish Chinese presences in the Indian Ocean.

·      Impress the peoples of the region

·      Asserts Imperial control over Indian Ocean trade.

o   They wanted spice, and other luxury goods

·      Hunt down his predecessor

o   The former emperor

 There were 317 vessels in the fleet. 

·      Treasure ships

·      Horse ships

·      Supply shifts

·      Troops transportation

·      Warships

·      They had to have very huge water ships.

They voyages are limited to the Indian Ocean.

·      Ships were filled with gifts to give to different ports to show the hospitality of the chines emperor.

Monsuns blow one direction for six months and then the other direction for the other direction.

Why did they Stop

·      Mongol threat

·      1449 the Mongols slaughter and empyreal army 

·      Economics

·      Restoration of the Confucian Scholars.  

Vasco da Gama

-he discovered a route from Portugal to East Asia. 

-Vasco da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, on July 8, 1497

--went on a four ship expedition

--to use southern winds. 

--access to spices from the far east

--he was treated as a hero. 

--he forced his way into trading. 

--portugal became a supplier of great wealth. 

Mongol Empire

--by the 13th century, the Chinese empire had becomes weak and fragment. Into this power vaccuum burst the Mongols, a fierce race of skilled horsemen under the inspiring leadership og Genghis Khan

Ottomans (Constantinople=Istanbul)

-1300 - 1600