Exploration and Contact

  • Zheng He takes first voyage
    Sep 18, 1405

    Zheng He takes first voyage

    By making many voyages, he distributed gifts to show the Chinese superiority. As a result more than 16 conutries sent tribute to the Ming court.
  • Prince Henry founds first navigation school
    Sep 18, 1419

    Prince Henry founds first navigation school

    The schools would equip the Portuguese with the knowlege to explore and sail.
  • Sep 18, 1433

    Ming China adopts isolationist policy following Zheng He’s seventh voyage

    Because of the isolaion the government was the only one allowed to trade. This caused a demand for Chinese goods and the economy grew rapidly.
  • Period: Sep 18, 1492 to Sep 18, 1493

    Christopher Columbus lands in Hispaniola

    Though what Chris's accomplishments pale in comparison with other explorers, his voyage inspired many people to sail.
  • Sep 18, 1494

    Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas

    This gives each country a plot of land to establish a trading post. Little does Protugal know that they've been SUCKERED.
  • Sep 18, 1498

    Vasco da Gama reaches India

    The crew finds India specialties which included spices, silks, and rare gems. This caused Portugal to make a direct route to this money maker.
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun of Japan

    He unifies Japan into militaristic government for over 250 years.
  • Manchus establish Qing Dynasty in China

    The manchus continued the isolation but were still willing to trade. But, china had restriitions. You had to kowtow to trade with them.

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