HIST1601 Lecture 3: Voyages of Exploration
Document Summary
Lecture 3: voyages of exploration: trade networks, ming dynasty (1368-1644) expeditions. Impetus for european exploration: after 1500ce: emerging global exchange network. Trade networks: muslim traders travelled from persian gulf to china & korea. Large muslim trading colony in canton: networks helped spread islam, by 1000ce: indian ocean networks linked economies. Left china in 1271, stayed for 17 years. Ming dynasty expeditions: early 15th century: chinese governments sent out huge fleets of ships to establish relations with s. e. Asia, indian subcontinent, middle east & east africa: 1405: emperor yongle launched seven expeditions (ended in 1433) Led 7 voyages of 300 ships, 27000 crew members. Flagships over 400ft long, 7 or more masts: not an explorer. He already knew the seas: trade missions, but china didn"t need anything. They just wanted acknowledgement of superiority and to dominate trade: brought exotic animals to china (medieval chinese noah?) Few dangerous opponents: huge wealth in china.
