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Jan 1, 1405
Zheng He takes first voyage
Zheng He's voyages had the goal of showing other countries how much power China had at the time. This event was significant because it led to other countries paying tribute to China. Also, it shows how different China's goals were from the goals of European nations, such as Spain and Portugal. -
Jan 1, 1419
Prince Henry founds first navigation school
Prince Henry's navigation school was important because it was the reason why Portugal established a trading post empire and became wealthy. Portuguese sailors that had gone through navigation school had an advantage over the sailors from other countries who did not have schooling in navigation. Portugal was able to trade in the Indian Ocean with these educated sailors. -
Jan 1, 1433
Ming China adopts isolationist policy following Zheng He’s seventh voyage
Ming China's decision to adopt an isolationist policy is an important event in history because it is what ultimately led to the decline of Ming China. After this isolationist policy was adopted, Ming China's technology and manufacture began to fall behind, and when Manchus invaded from the north, Ming China completely collapsed. -
Jan 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus lands in Hispaniola
Christopher Columbus landing in Hispaniola is an incredibly important event in the history of the world. It showed the Europeans that there was something on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean and it led European nations to begin exploring this area, although they did think it was the West Indies. Even though Columbus was mistaken in what he found, he did establish a route to the Americas. -
Jan 1, 1494
Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas
When Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, it ultimately led to a new era of exploration. The Treaty of Tordesillas split the Atlantic Ocean in two, with one half Spanish and one half Portuguese. Spaniards came into Central and South America, and the Portuguese explored Brazil. This treaty is the reason why the people of Brazil speak Portuguese, and the people in the rest of South and Central America speak Spanish today. -
Jan 1, 1498
Vasco da Gama reaches India
When Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa and reached India, it formed a trade route that is still used today. Vasco da Gama set up a port in Calicut that made Portugal rich, and started its trading post empire. He also established many ports on the east coast of Africa. -
Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun of Japan
When Tokugawa Ieyasu became the shogun of Japan, he united Japan under one ruler. This event was significant because it ultimately led to Japan's isolation from the rest of the world. This also led to many people moving from the farms to the cities of Japan. -
Manchus establish Qing Dynasty in China
When the Manchus established the Qing Dynasty in China, they made a key decision and continued China's isolation. The Manchus reintroduced the Confucianist and traditional Chinese culture. They made themselves look like Chinese, and humiliated the Chinese by making them shave their heads and then grow Manchu ponytails. The Qing Dynasty lasted 250 years.
