15th Century Mariners: China and Portugal Perceptions and Motivations Tuesday, January 19
Chinese History Isolation Barbarians Imperial Rule Confucianism Agriculture versus trade Silk and porcelain
Ming Dynasty – 1368-1644 Anti-Mongol Hongwu Neo-Confucianism Yongle and Zheng He Tribute Kow-tow Middle Earth
Portugal Iberian Peninsula Natural resources Trade Italian city-states Oceanic access Catholicism – ‘Defender of the Faith’ Crusader spirit
Portugal Cueta Government Henry the Navigator Sagres Reconquista Indian Ocean Maritime System
Motivations and Perceptions - Social Ming Dynasty Portugal Outsiders were barbarians Chinese should be happy at home Confucian values Huge population Greater social mobility Small population
Motivations and Perceptions - Political Ming Dynasty Portugal Voyages of Zheng He promoted by Emperor Yongle Future Ming emperors wanted to protect the northern borders Confucian court scholars opposed the voyages Chinese military easily dominated the Indian Ocean Kings supported and rewarded exploration and trade The Portuguese had a powerful navy relative to the Indian Ocean Compared to the Chinese, Portugal’s military was quite weak Portugal wanted to weaken their Islamic and Italian adversaries
Motivations and Perceptions - Geography Ming Dynasty Portugal Large landmass Isolated Abundant natural resources Small landmass Surrounded by Spain Great access to the ocean
Motivations and Perceptions - Cultural Ming Dynasty Portugal Confucian philosophy Buddhist, Daoist and ancestor veneration Isolationist culture Inventive society Catholic ‘Defender of the Faith’ Crusader spirit (reconquista) Anti-Islam Technology at Sagres
Motivations and Perceptions - Economic Ming Dynasty Portugal World’s largest economy Agriculture as economic generator Silk and porcelain in high demand Government wanted to control trade revenues Merchants not highly valued Small economy Limited agriculture Heavy reliance on trade and seafaring Wanted to bypass Italian middlemen & gain direct access