Ming
What was a famous large-scale building project completed during the Ming Dynasty?
The Forbidden City
Did Zheng He use small boats or large fleets for his voyages?
He used large fleets—his fleet included hundreds of ships, such as huge "treasure ships."
Name one New World food and one Old World animal exchanged.
New World food: Corn, potatoes, or tomatoes; Old World animal: Horses, cows, or pigs.
Where did Christopher Columbias discover?
(North) America
Did Coronado find the gold he was looking for?
No. The city he reached (Haiku, a Native American settlement) was made of adobe (clay) and had no gold.
What two civil engineering projects were rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty?
The Great Wall of China and the Grand Canal.
Which ocean did Zheng He mainly sail across during his voyages?
He mainly sailed across the Indian Ocean.
What was a major negative impact of the Columbian Exchange?
The spread of diseases (e.g., smallpox, influenza) from the Old World to the Americas, which killed millions of Native Americans.
Where did Christopher Columbus want to go first?
He wanted to find a new way to reach Asia.
What is the Columbian Exchange?
It was the widespread exchange of plants, animals, ideas, people, and diseases between the “Old World”
How long did it take to build the Forbidden City, and how many workers were used?
It took 15 years and 1 million workers to complete.
What animal did Zheng He bring back to the Ming emperor after visiting Africa?
He once brought back a giraffe from Africa.
Which empire did Pizarro conquer?
He conquered the Inca Empire (in present-day Peru) in the 1530s.
Where was Christopher Columbus born?
Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451.
What legendary city did Francisco Coronado search for?
He searched for Cibola, a city believed to be made of gold and filled with riches.
What was one of the main crops grown in the Ming Dynasty to feed its people?
Rice
Why did the Ming Dynasty end Zheng He’s voyages?
Shift in political priorities (focus on domestic issues and northern border defense against Mongols)
What did Pizarro demand from the Incas in exchange for their king (Atahualpa)?
He demanded a large amount of gold and silver; the Incas paid, but Pizarro still refused to release Atahualpa and continued to conquer the empire.
Who wants to search for gold but didn’t bring back any?
Francisco Coronado
Where did Christopher Columbus want to reach first?
He wanted to find a new westward route to Asia.
Did the Ming Dynasty mainly use paper money or gold coins as a common currency?
Paper money
How many ships and crew members were in Zheng He’s fleet?
His fleet had over 300 ships (including giant “treasure ships”) and around 27,000 crew members (sailors, soldiers, diplomats).
What was the “sea ban” policy of the Ming Dynasty?
A nearly 200-year isolationist policy (first issued in 1371) that prohibited Chinese citizens from engaging in foreign trade and restricted foreigners from trading with China.
In what year did Pizarro plan a new journey?
In 1524, Pizarro planned a new journey to South America with a small group of soldiers.
Which regions of North America did Coronado explore?
He explored parts of present-day Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.