Exploration and Experience Before Columbus

China’s Exploration of the IOB Ming Dynasty established expedition to explore & exchange Zheng He was made admiral of more than 300 ships Treasure Ships were diplomatic missions of the Ming Did have some limited conflict with natives Expensive investment by the Ming Zheng He’s death and a change in emperors ended the outreach China’s knowledge of the Pacific and IOB lapsed over time

The Mexica (Aztecs) Mighty empire based on the earlier culture of Toltec Dominated Central America: alienated other local tribes Built amazing city at Tenochtitlan Social structure based on militarism Women played almost no role in the society Mexica religion was polytheistic & based on human sacrifice

The Inca: Children of the Sun Inca took over from autonomous states in the region (Chucuito) Ruled as military and administrative elite Established colonies in areas of unrest Used quipu as an accounting tool Designed imposing cities in the Andes; roads & bridges (Pachacuti) Requisitioned labor under mita system Religion was polytheistic & involved sacrifices Politically stable until death of the previous emperor brought civil war

Polynesia: Mariners of the Pacific Best mariners in world history; earlier than other nations Explored and colonized islands throughout the Pacific May have encountered people from the Americas Traveled in a kind of outrigger called wa'a kaulua in Hawaiian Polynesian Voyages of Discovery Aboriginal people of Australia do NOT develop agriculture, but do rely on hunting & trade Religion was animistic and tied to nature Politically decentralized among islands with some chiefs establishing larger areas of control

Portugal Looks to the Ocean Landlocked to the east (Spain) Begin to explore the Atlantic Ocean Prince Henry & School of Navigation Caravel becomes the workhorse of European exploration Bartholomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope Da Gama take a fleet of ships to India (1497)

Innovations in Maritime Technology Magnetic Compass (Chinese invention adapted by Muslims, then Europeans) allowed for more precise navigation Astrolabe allowed for sighting along the horizon to determine north/south location (latitude) Lateen sails allowed for tacking which meant that ships could sail into the wind Improved cartography & more extensive explorationmade better maps and encouraged the spread of knowledge for Europeans