Exploration and Isolation

Zheng He takes first voyage

Jan 1, 1405

Zheng He's expeditions ran from Southeast Asia to eastern Africa, and his fleets included forty to three hundred ships. The purpose of his expeditions included distributing gifts to show Chinese superiority and bringing back novel items (or animals) back to China. Zheng He led seven voyages in total before China withdrew into isolation.

Prince Henry founds first navigation school

Jan 1, 1419

In order to further Portugal's international trade and exploration, Prince Henry opened several navigation 'schools', where mapmakers, instrument makers, shipbuilders, scientists, and sea captains could gather and perfect their skills.

Ming China adopts isolationist policy

Jan 1, 1433

Because of reasons including the threat of missionaries and the disapproval of trade in their religion, China withdrew into isolation, in order to keep the influence of outsiders to a minimum.

Columbus lands in Hispaniola

Jan 1, 1492

Christopher Columbus, an Italian sea captain, convinced Spain to finance his exploration to find a route to Asia by sailing west on the Atlantic. He landed on a Caribbean Island, though he thought he had arrived in the East Indies. His discovery would later lead to the European colonization of the Americas.

Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas

Jan 1, 1494

After Columbus's voyage, tension between Portugal and Spain was high. In order to create peace, Pope Alexander VI drew an imaginary line across the globe known as the Line of Demarcation. The countries to the west were given to Spain, and those to the east were given to Portugal. The two countries then signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, in which they agreed to honor the line.

Vasco da Gama reaches India

Jan 1, 1498

With the tip of Africa having previously been rounded by Dias, Vasco de Gama continued pushing east. He began exploring the east African coast, and then sailed on to explore Calicut. They were amazed by all the new goods they found, like spices, silks, and gems, which they loaded into their ships, and when they returned home their cargo was worth 60 times the cost of the voyage. (total journey= 27,000 miles)

Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun of Japan

Jan 1, 1603

Ieyasu was one of Hideyoshi's strongest daimyos, and he ended up completing the unification of Japan. After defeating his rivals in the Battle of Sekigahara, he gaiend the loyalty of many other daimyos (1600). In just three years, he became the shogun, and quickly moved the capital to Edo (Tokyo).

Manchus establish Qing Dynasty in China

Jan 1, 1644

In 1644, the Manchus seized invaded China and the Ming Dynasty collapsed. They seized Beijing and reinstated their leader as the emperor. The Manchus took a Chinese name for their dynasty (Qing, which means pure), and would rule for more than 260 years, conquering territories like Taiwan, Chinese Central Asia, Mongolia, and Tibet.