Ming
What dynasty was Zheng He from?
The Ming Dynasty.
What was Zheng He's main role in the Ming dynasty's maritime activities?
A court eunuch and navigator.
In the context of Individuals and Societies, what area of study does exploration like Zheng He's fall under?
Cultural interaction and trade.
Name one famous European explorer who was active around the same time as Zheng He (though their voyages had different scopes).
Christopher Columbus (example).
What was one of the goods commonly traded during Zheng He's voyages?
Silk.
What was the political climate in the Ming dynasty that allowed for large - scale voyages like Zheng He's?
Stable imperial power.
How many major voyages did Zheng He undertake?
Seven major voyages.
How did Zheng He's voyages impact cultural diffusion from an Individuals and Societies perspective?
Spread ideas and goods.
What was a key difference in motivation between Zheng He's voyages and those of European explorers?
European explorers sought wealth, Zheng He for diplomacy.
What was one of the goods commonly traded during Zheng He's voyages?
The Indian Ocean
What was the Ming dynasty's attitude towards foreign trade after Zheng He's voyages ended?
Turned to isolationism
What were some of the technological advancements that made Zheng He's voyages possible?
Advanced shipbuilding and navigation
Analyse the economic effects of Zheng He's voyages on the Ming dynasty using concepts from Individuals and Societies.
Boosted trade but strained finances.
Compare the size of Zheng He's fleet to that of a typical European explorer's fleet during the Age of Exploration.
Zheng He's fleet was much larger.
What title did Zheng He hold in the Ming court?
Sanbao Eunuch.
How did the Ming dynasty's maritime policies change over time, especially in relation to Zheng He's expeditions?
Shifted from openness to restriction.
What were some of the lands and peoples Zheng He encountered on his voyages?
Southeast Asia, India, East Africa
Evaluate the long - term social impacts of Zheng He's voyages within the framework of Individuals and Societies.
Increased cultural diversity awareness.
Discuss how Zheng He's explorations influenced later European exploration efforts.
Inspired curiosity about the East.
What material was commonly used in the construction of Zheng He's ships?
Wood (teak, for example)
What were the main reasons the Ming dynasty stopped sponsoring large - scale voyages like Zheng He's?
High costs and domestic priorities.
What is the significance of Zheng He's voyages in world history?
Showcased Chinese maritime prowess.
Using theories from Individuals and Societies, explain why Zheng He's voyages did not lead to sustained European - style colonialism.
Different political and economic systems prevented colonialism.
Contrast the legacy of Zheng He's explorations with that of European explorers in terms of global historical impact.
European explorers had a more lasting colonial impact
What astronomical instrument did Zheng He's navigators use to determine their position at sea?
The compass