Vasco da Gama ( ) )
Seven voyages between 1400 and 1433 Everyone was expected to pay tribute to the Chinese Emperor and recognize his superiority.
The Star Fleet: As many as 300 ships and 28,000 men
There is some doubt about the actual size of the Treasure Ships, but there’s no doubt that they made Columbus’s ships look like toys.
Who could match this?
To navigate throughout the Indian Ocean, Zheng He would have made use of the magnetic compass, invented in China during the Song dynasty.
Photo taken on Sept. 24, 2006, shows the debut of a ship imitating the vessel Zheng He navigated to the west about 600 years ago. This is a replica of a medium-sized ship.
Zheng He returns with gifts for the Emperor
Map of the Portuguese Empire (1502–1557).
Zheng-He vs. Vasco da Gama Zheng-He ships 400 feet long 28,000 men Luxury liners No more exploring; ships are burned Vasco da Gama ships feet 170 men Disease & death on board Just the beginning of an Age of Exploration
Why didn’t China colonize Europe? Closed Society (China) vs. Open Society (Europe) Isolation (China) vs. Interaction (Europe) Xenophobia: fear of “foreign-ness” or foreign influence on culture.
Why did Europe dominate China? Competition drives Euros to more and more exploration and technological development As Europe advances, China declines.