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Jan 1, 1405
Zheng He takes first voyage
The Chinese were to become the "Middle Kingdom", or the center of trade. To do that, they had to gain respect. In order to try to gain that respect, they would travel from place to place, getting treasure as well as power. They would give out gold, and in return, countries would pay tribute.His treasure ship, shown in the picture, was giant - look how it compared to Columbus's ship, Santa Maria! -
Jan 1, 1419
Prince Henry founds first navigation school
God, Glory, Gold. His primary motivation being religion, Prince Henry set up a school to teach sailors. He wanted to find the mythical Christian King who was supposed to live in Africa somewhere called Prestor John. However, he also wanted to create a way to bring the riches of Africa to Europe. -
Jan 1, 1433
Ming China adopts isolationist policy
Following Zheng He’s seventh voyage, the Ming Dynasty closes itself off from the world. As a center for trade, etc, it had become very wealthy and extremely well respected. However, because of this, they felt they did not need trade, and thus closed their doors to the world. The Ming Dysnasty began the Great Wall of China. -
Jan 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus lands in Hispaniola
With the rivalry between Spain and Portugal enflating quickly, the Spanish were convinced to finance Columbus, who said the world is round, and they can sail straight to Asia in a matter of months. However, he greatly underestimated the size of the Atlantic ocean, but he luckily bumped into the Americas. Under the misinterpretation that the Native Americans were Indian, he came back with a story of success, and died believing he had found another path to India. -
Jan 1, 1494
Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas
By now, Spain and Portugal were rivals. The tension was just rising, until the Pope Alexander IV decided to calm things down. He preposed a line that seperated them; Portugal could only claim/explore on the right side, Spain on the left. However, it was shifted slightly due to the fact Portugal felt that Spain had more territory. They agreed, and signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, where they agreed to follow the line. -
Jan 1, 1498
Vasco da Gama reaches India
With Bartolomeu Dias having rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and new technology, like the caravel, with new triangular sails, Vasco da Gama sailed to India by going around the tip of Africa. In India, he found treasure, like rare silks, precious gems, and spices. His cargo ending up being worth sixty times the cost of the voyage! -
Tokugawa Leyasu becomes shogun of Japan
Tokugawa Leyasu was the ally of Toyoto Hideyoshi, the best general and successor of Oda Nubunaga, both of which were diamyo, or powerful samuari who ruled pieces of land and faught with one another. Hideyoshi began to slowly unify Japan, but it was Tokugawa Leyasu who finally did it and became shogun, the ruler. (The emperor is abover him, but has no power. They are only religious). -
Manchus establish Qing Dynasty in China
The Ming Dynasty had fallen into decay. They raised taxes, etc, and generally China descended into a not-so prosperous time. When the Manchus invade, the Ming Dynasty crumbled. With that, the Manhus seized control of China, and established their rule by not only mocking the Chinese culture, but also winning their respect.
