European Contact Unit 1 Lecture Notes

The Norse and the Chinese Norse = Scandinavians such as Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, Finns. Basically, Vikings. Erik the Red reached Greenland in the 980s. Leif Eriksson built Norse Viking settlement in Vinland – northeast Cananda.

The Norse and the Chinese Europeans knew about China, but only vaguely. Marco Polo traveled to Cathay (China) on the Silk Road in the 1270s. Polo first told of coal, spices that preserved meat. Islamic power in the Middle East cut off the Silk Road.

The Norse and the Chinese

Europeans craved Oriental spices like pepper, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. So, if Europeans craved these things, and they were cut off by the Middle East, what did Europeans seek?

The Norse and The Chinese China mastered ocean sailing on a large scale before Europeans. Admiral Zheng He (Jung Huh) – 1405 to 1433 led seven large fleets to the Indian Ocean. Brought back to China treasures including giraffes and elephants.

The Norse and The Chinese China, abruptly, turned inward and away from the rest of the world. Chinese officials destroyed log books and dismissed Zheng He’s accomplishments. Instead, tiny Portugal emerged as an ocean power rather than the mighty Chinese. Postulate – How do you think history would be different had China not turned inward?