Exploration+and+Chinese+Reconnaissance+(585-586)+2

=Exploration and Chinese Reconnaissance (585-586)=

=**EXPLORATION AND COLONIZATION**= //**The Chinese Reconnaissance of the Indian Ocean Basin**// M.S.
 * people of the eastern hemisphere sought to revive networks of long-distance trade that the plague had ruined
 * China and western Europe recovered most rapidly from the disasters of the 14th century
 * early Ming dynasty: ports accommodated foreign traders to all over Indian Ocean basin
 * Europeans traveled through Mediterranean to Atlantic Ocean
 * End of 15th century: Europeans established sea lanes to India and had visited Americas many times
 * Early Ming emperors did not want many foreign people in China
 * Foreign merchants could trade in supervised ports
 * traded pearls, gems, spices, and things like tortoise shells for silk, porcelain, and manufactured goods
 * Emperors also renovated Chinese navy, allowing merchants to travel to Japan and southeast Asia

__**Zheng He's Expeditions**__

 * eunuch admiral; a Muslim from Yunnan (SW China), was a trusted advisor of Emperor Yongle
 * Yongle organized expeditions for 2 reasons: to impose imperial control over foreign trade with China and to impress foreign peoples with the power that the Ming dynasty had restored to China
 * the expeditions: took place between 1405 and 1433; first three were to SE Asia, India, and Ceylon, 4th was to Persian Gulf and Arabia. later there were expeditions to E. African coast as far south as Malindi (Kenya)
 * the fleet: consisted of 317 ships and 28,000 armed troops (first voyage)
 * called "treasure ships" because of massive size
 * 4 decks (could hold 500+ passengers) and massive cargo storages
 * 408 feet long, 166 feet wide
 * on these voyages Zheng He brought Chinese silk, porcelain, and other goods, and in return he received unusual/rich goods (i.e. African zebras and giraffes)
 * when visiting Ceylon, built monument honoring Buddha, Allah, and Vishnu
 * JB**


 * Chinese Naval Power**
 * Zheng He usually tried to solve problems with diplomacy/non-violence
 * If threatened though would not stand down to show Chinese military strength
 * He suppressed pirates that had been plaguing Chinese seas for years and intervened in a civil disturbance in Ceylon
 * The 7 expeditions he led established a strong presence in the Indian ocean region, which offered many gifts to the Ming court.
 * JM**
 * End of the Voyages**
 * During the mid-1430s, the expeditions ended.
 * Confucian ministers argued that resources committed to these expeditions could be put to better use in agriculture.
 * Also during the 1420s and 30s, the Mongols mounted a military threat from the NW and land forces needed support.
 * In 1433 the expeditions ended, and while trade with Japan and SE Asia continued, imperial officials gave up any plans to maintain a presence in the Indian Ocean.
 * The voyages demonstrated that China could exercise military, political, and economic influence in the Indian Basin.
 * ZK**