Exploration and Contact

Zheng He Takes First Voyage

Sep 18, 1405

Zheng He's voyages established China as a superior power. His grand, intimidating fleet, the giving of valuable goods to other countries to establish trading partners, and China's exclusive tribute system helped him do this.

Prince Henry Founds First Navigation School

Sep 18, 1419

This navigation school paved the way for many explorers and expeditions. More importantly, it affirmed Portugal's desire to find a fast trade route on water to find the source of Asian spices, as the prince of Portugal was founding a school dedication to the sea exploration and trade routes.

Ming China Adopts Isolationist Policy Following Zheng He’s Seventh Voyage

Sep 18, 1433

China would eventually fall behind the rest of the World and collapse of the Ming dynasty. China would eventually be conquered by the Manchus. In addition, to keep nomads from the steppe out of China, the Ming dynasty built the Great Wall during the isolation period.

Christopher Columbus Lands in Hispaniola

Sep 18, 1492

This made the Portuguese think Spain reached Asia, so they signed the Treaty of Tordesillas. Because the Portuguese thought Spain had reached Asia, Spain was back in the race for Indian Ocean trade. This “discovery” of Hispaniola led to Europeans being interested in the New World (for colonization and goods), which has led to the forming of several nations including the United States.

Spain and Portugal Sign the Treaty of Tordesillas

Sep 18, 1494

The Treaty of Tordesillas eased tension between Portugal and Spain, as they were competing in exploration. It also affected where the Spanish and Portuguese would control. Spain eventually went mainly to the Americas to the west because their side of the line was west. Portugal mainly set up trading posts in Asia to the east, because their side of the line was east. Their portion also included Brazil, in which the Portuguese would later settle.

Vasco da Gama Reaches India

Sep 18, 1498

This would kickstart Portugal’s trading post empire, which would prove very valuable for the next 100 years. The Portuguese would gain great wealth through Indian Ocean trade.

Tokugawa Ieyasu Becomes Shogun of Japan

Sep 18, 1603

For the first time in hundreds of years, Japan was finally unified under the Tokugawa Shogunate. In addition, daimyo were not as powerful anymore, so there was less war between states, also because of alternate attendance policy. Japan thrived in many ways during the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted 250 years.

Manchus Establish Qing Dynasty in China

Sep 18, 1644

Under the Qing dynasty, China flourished. China was it biggest in history, the population grew, and culture thrived throughout the empire.