...If Zheng He was the explorer with more achievements why do we not celebrate his accomplishments? Zheng He was the far more advanced explorer who with the help of all of his technological advances was able to explore new lands. Money was a huge contribution to how the fleets came to be so powerful and stand out from the rest. The rout he traveled on was the farthest and longest of all the other explorations of that time. That makes it very significant and unlike other traditional explorations. How advanced China was for it is time made sea travel easier for explorers. The Chinese has the compass, the map, and the astrolabe to help find their way and know what direction they where heading in. All of these are essential sea traveling tools and you could not choose one or the other or else you would get lost. China was also one of the largest working countries, which meant more workers and more production. All of China is extra manpower was why they were able to create so many fleets. It was also were a large portion of their crew on the ship came from....
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...Recently the inquiry, were Zheng He’s seven voyages historically plausible, has come into question. I firmly believe that his voyages were that his voyages were not possible. I believe this for multiple reasons. One reason is that the technology during the Golden Age was not as advanced at it should have been to create the ships. Also, there is not enough information or evidence to support the realization of these seven voyages. In the 1400s, the technology was simply not as strongly advanced, as it must have been in order to make at least one of the massive ships, let alone over 100! According to nationalgeographic.com, on the first voyage there were presumably 317 ships. In addition, the treasure ships had about 400-foot-long decks and nine masts connected to each one. In simple terms, there was not enough manpower to make the ships. In Nanjing, a capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, a replica of one a treasure ship was made. Even though “old school techniques” were used, according to China.org.cn, hammers, screwdrivers, power drills, and other modern day tools were used. They did not have these gears in the 1400s, so how could they have possibly made so many ships with the lack of the...
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...Why did China fall behind Europe in the 15th century? In my opinion, the main reason that China fell behind Europe in the 15th century is the closing down of itself with other civilizations and the banned international trades strategies which severed the communication and connection of the Chinese people with the outside world. And in the same time the rapid growth of the European countries had boosted those civilizations in the other direction thanks to the newly discovered resources on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. I would like to explain these ideas from the following aspects: The early developments of China: China has gone through a period of rapid technological advances in the first centuries of human history thanks to its particular geographical location and the early coming together of the nations within its boundary. Although there were lots of nations fighting wars against each other, aiming to control all the territory on the land of the so-called East Asia nowadays, the Chinese empire was finally founded by the Qin and the united nation has adopted lots of governing strategies to develop the livelihood of its people not only in literature but also in science. Because of these factors, the Chinese people have invented ways to preserve the cultural and technological achievements and also have developed ways to explore the 1/7 outside world. Such decisions have been made since the Han dynasty when the empire opened up the Silk Road to the west, connecting...
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...Zheng He vs. Christopher Columbus When you hear the name Christopher Columbus the first thing that probably comes to your mind is that he was the one who founded America. However, if you actually do some research you will find out that he wasn’t the only one. Evidence shows that there was another man who discovered America seventy years before, Zheng He. He was a Chinese admiral during the Ming Dynasty, who also served as the Ming Dynasty Emperor and leader of seven voyages in the Indian Ocean. Christopher Columbus and Zheng He were both great travelers with great differences in their journey. Columbus’ story is one of great greed and domination while Zheng’s however one of a more noble cause. Very rarely, does the name Zheng He ever come up unless you’re in China. But he was a very important traveler in the world of discovery and he predates many of the more famous explorers. The purpose of his travel and explorations was to display the power of China while also creating better relations with other nations and setting up trade agreements in different parts of the world. One of the things that Zheng He’s voyages are known for is the size of the fleets that he commanded. In all, there were seven voyages headed up by Zheng He, including voyages to East Africa, India, and Arabia. Zheng He and his expedition exemplified the highest level of ancient Chinese propriety in terms of foreign trade. Zheng’s voyage stimulated and inspired the development of overseas trade....
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...between the yes (Gavin Menzies) and the no (Robert Finlay). Menzies is the yes the Chinese found American first. He says that the Chinese spent four months exploring the pacific coastline and left substantial evidence that will support his contention that the chines found America way before the Europeans. Finlay believes that Menzies does not have concrete evidence that the Chinese found America because other historians have not come up with the same conclusion, that the Chinese discovered America first Robert Finlay talks about how Menzies is wrong and how he bases all his knowledge on facts and evidence that puts the Chinese on America before Columbus. Finlay accuses Menzies of “ignoring the basic rules of historical study and logic to concoct an implausible interpretation of the Chinese”. Finlay believes that Columbus found America first because they used the maps of the Chinese. When the Chinese explored the pacific coast they didn’t set foot on the land they just made a map that told there was land. The Chinese then used the maps that they made to trade with the Europeans for other goods. Then Columbus used the maps to find other land to colonize and make a new colony to spread. Finlay believes that Columbus explored the land and actually set foot on the new America, and expanded the map by putting new locations and land marks that he and his crew explored. He says that Menzies has very limited evidence that the Chinese found America first. Finlay says that “many professional...
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...of zhen he? Have you every heard of Zheng He? His name was originally Ma He, he was the trusted advisor of the Emperor Yongle. The emperor sent him on a mission to guide a fleet of ships, up until recent years he was hardly known by the world. The real question is if we should celebrate Zheng He’s voyages, I personally think that we shouldn’t. You might be wondering why, well in order to make the voyage possible there was a lot of expenses and all the tribute he received was not enough to pay off the expenses, also he traveled far and didn’t find any new land or establish any new trade relationships, lastly some officials from the government said that they did not need trade or political communication so they concluded the expedition to be a big mistake. Now lets get more in to it. To start off, the voyage took a lot of expenses that couldn’t be regained by the tributes offered to Emperor Yongle. In Document D it states “ Emperor Yongle acquired goods and treasures…yet they did not makeup for the wasteful expenditures of the Middle Kingdom”. Officials or representatives from overseas would frequently return to China with Zheng He’s fleet to offer tributes. Some local leaders did it to avoid military fight; they made sure to pay their respect to the emperor. Tributes are often offerings of money or goods given by a weaker country to a stronger country. Next, Zheng He traveled far and wide and was unable to find new land or establish trade. Zheng He’s voyages...
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...Christopher Columbus –VS- Zheng He Exploring the world and see what it has to offer was nothing that any other person would naturally think of or about in their time. Upon the more detailed check out the experiences on the adult men guiding the actual explorations, we could study a whole lot concerning the trips, the actual adult men whom took these individuals, and also the nations that will recognized the attempts. The particular voyage by Christopher Columbus along with Zheng. They are actually the voyages of two nations along with the search for extreme power along with management in the ever-expanding world. For The world, Columbus’ trips showed both equally to be able to get around governed industry avenues along with master fresh persons on fresh lands. For China, Zheng He’s trips showed a chance to keep along with replenish existing associations along with neighboring nations. Even though trips of Columbus along with Zheng had been many generations separated, the parallels along with differences outlined exactly why guiding the journeys along with revealed what exactly both pondered the actual ethnicities they stumbled upon as you go along. Early fifteenth one hundred year found China’s Ming Dynasty for the maximum of its controlling power being a kingdom. China’s money along with electric power improved the actual circumstance of its seek trips through those of other nations over the “age of voyages. ” Because of the money along with the controlling power of China...
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...scientific revolution is one of history's greatest complexities. Although "Zheng He's fleet led seven major expeditions commanding the largest armada the world would see for five centuries" and proceeded to " underscore just how far ahead of the West the East once was,"it is astonishing and perplexing that China's accomplishments from an explorative and revolutionary perspective were not more pronounced(Reilly 553). Similarly, the power struggles that ensued after YongLe's death resulted in an essential demolition of potential prosperity in voyage. There was an ending of voyages, destruction of Zheng He's sailing records, and a concerted effort to "dismantle China's navy"that all amassed to put a cork in China's explorative progression during a premier time of discovery(556). According to Reilly, there are two and a half reasons amongst the many that historians attribute to China's lack of worldly influence; "Asia was simply not greedy enough", "a culture of complacency", and the fact that "China was a single nation while Europe was many"also attributed to the setbacks that were encountered(557). First and foremost, China's greatest shortcoming is due to their "culture of complacency". It is evident that China's culture and mindset played a major role in their self perpetuated setback because they lacked a central focus and goal; regardless of the fact that "half a century before Columbus, Zheng He had reached East Africa and learned about Europe", China's progress in...
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...HOW PEACEFUL IS CHINA’S PEACEFUL RISE? 16 July 2014 at 17:01 HOW PEACEFUL IS CHINA’S PEACEFUL RISE? The People’s Republic of China has been taking great pains to point out to its neighbours specifically, and the world in general, that they have nothing to fear of its increasing power. This approach is epitomised by China’s emphasis on the term ‘peaceful rise’ to describe its expanding influence since 2004. Not only is ‘peaceful rise’ used to allay concerns that China will use its power to further its goals at the expense of other nations, it is also used to directly contrast the PRC with the United States who have been embroiled in the same period in the controversial War on Terror. Given the prominence of the claim of the claim it is clearly in the interests of understanding international and regional developments that we pose the question “How peaceful is China’s peaceful rise?” As this essay will show, in light of the PRC’s domestic aims and because of China’s historical and cultural experiences, any attempt to answer question is contradictory, and depends on the region. The question of China’s contradictory peaceful rise is explained most completely by the theory of neoclassical realism. Neoclassical realism argues that it is the aim of states to gain power to pursue what they deem is in their national interests. It breaks down the state’s efforts in that respect into two spheres, the internal and the external. The external sphere is similar to other theories of...
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...during the middle of the 19th century created opportunities for the European imperialists who were interested in crippling China. They wanted to undermine China by enforcing foreign policies in the country, which would contribute to the growing discontent among the citizens since their monarch was hopeless. After the naval expeditions of Zheng He (1371-1435) during the Ming dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor decided to ban all trade and from then onwards, China became increasingly isolationist. The Chinese feared that the result of foreign intervention would be an attempt to take over the country therefore, all the dynasties after that continued to adopt these policies in order to prevent invaders such as Japanese pirates. During the Qing dynasty, the Qianlong Emperor rejected an offer to expand trade because he feared that by trading with foreign countries, the imperialist nations would attempt to take over China by imposing their ideas on the Chinese. China’s desire to shut itself away from the foreign countries was because of its desire to protect itself. After the Industrial Revolution, the European states began to adopt Imperialism where they became increasingly fond of colonising foreign countries that were not as well developed as they were. They would then exploit the resources in that country in order to reinforce their own nation. Even though China was isolated, it was well aware of its neighbouring countries being penetrated by the British. In order to conceal their...
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...Robert B. Marks, The Origins of the Modern World: A Global and Ecological Narrative Value of Book Wonderful synthesis of recent scholarship on Rise of the West literature with an economic and ecological focus. Uses Global Historical Context to address most issues addressed in the Modern World History course. Use as: Teacher background Use isolated quotes/ chapters for all levels Review book at end of AP curriculum for review Questions raised: 1. How did industry and European-style countries called nation-states—rather than highly developed agrarian empires like China and India—come to define our world? 2. How has the gap between rich and poor increased? 3. How and why have European ways of organizing the world come to dominate the globe? 4. Was the Rise of the West a temporary blip? Scope: Global look (but especially Europe, China and India) 1400 -1900 Chapter by chapter breakdown: Intro “In the space of just 200 years, the world has seen a great reversal of fortune: where once Asians held most of the economic cards, today it is primarily Western countries and Japan.” (p. 2) Concepts addressed/ introduced in chapter: Globalization Enlightenment Communism Nation-states French Revolution Weber-Protestant work ethic Disease Industrial Revolution “modernization” Exploration/ Encounter “Progress History” Colonialism Renaissance Capitalism Slavery Modes of Historical Inquiry Comparative units of analysis Definition of Eurocentrism ...
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...Spring Break Work Ch. 13 Section 1 1) Sui Wendi: First emperor of the Sui dynasty centralized government, restored order, created a new legal code, reformed Bureaucracy Tang Taizong: The founder of the Tang Dynasty, he expanded China to include all that the Han had had and more. Wu Zhao: The only woman to ever declare herself empress, she was a member of the Tang Dynasty. Grand Canal: The 1,100-mile waterway linking the Yellow and the Yangzi Rivers. It was begun in the Han period and completed during the Sui Empire. Zhao Kuangyin: Founder of Song dynasty; originally a general following fall of Tang; took title of Taizu; failed to overcome northern Liao dynasty that remained independent. Li Bo: Most famous poet of the Tang era; blended images of the mundane world with philosophical musings. 2) tributary state: A country that pays tribute in money or goods to a more powerful nation Pagoda: Buddhist temples with many-storied towers; this was adapted from the Chinese 3) The dynasties returned the Middle Kingdom back to its old glory. a) Under the Tang and Song dynasties the emperor ruled over a splendid court filled with aristocratic families. The two main classes of society were the gentry, wealthy landowners, which valued scholarship more than physical labor, and the peasantry, who worked the land and lived off of what they produced. Then the merchants had a lower status in society. Merchants had such a low status in society because according to Confucianism their...
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...AP World History Survival Guide Name ________________________________ Teacher __________________________ Block _________________ Table of Contents | Pages | AP World History Overview | 3 – 7 | The AP Exam | 3 | World Regions | 4 – 5 | Five Course Themes | 6 | Four Historical Thinking Skills | 7 | Essays Overview | 8 - 15 | Document-based Question (DBQ) | 8 – 12 | Change and Continuity over Time (CCOT) | 13 – 15 | Comparative Essay | 16 – 18 | Released Free Response Questions | 19 – 20 | AP Curriculum Framework | 21 – 38 | Period 1 (Up to 600 B.C.E.)—5% | 21 – 22 | Period 2 (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)—15% | 23 – 25 | Period 3 (600 to 1450)—20% | 26 – 28 | Period 4 (1450 to 1750)—20% | 29 – 31 | Period 5 (1750 to 1900)—20% | 32 – 35 | Period 6 (1900 to the present)—20% | 36 – 38 | Help with Some Confusing Subjects | 39 – 43 | Chinese Dynasties | 39 | Political, Economic, and Social Systems | 40 | Religions | 41 | Primary Sources | 42 | “Must Know” Years | 43 | * Many of the guidelines in this study packet are adapted from the AP World History Course Description, developed by College Board. The AP Exam Purchasing and taking the AP World History exam are requirements of the course. This year, the AP World History exam will be administered on: ___________________________________________ Format I. Multiple...
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...AP World History Survival Guide Name ________________________________ Teacher __________________________ Block _________________ Table of Contents | Pages | AP World History Overview | 3 – 7 | The AP Exam | 3 | World Regions | 4 – 5 | Five Course Themes | 6 | Four Historical Thinking Skills | 7 | Essays Overview | 8 - 15 | Document-based Question (DBQ) | 8 – 12 | Change and Continuity over Time (CCOT) | 13 – 15 | Comparative Essay | 16 – 18 | Released Free Response Questions | 19 – 20 | AP Curriculum Framework | 21 – 38 | Period 1 (Up to 600 B.C.E.)—5% | 21 – 22 | Period 2 (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)—15% | 23 – 25 | Period 3 (600 to 1450)—20% | 26 – 28 | Period 4 (1450 to 1750)—20% | 29 – 31 | Period 5 (1750 to 1900)—20% | 32 – 35 | Period 6 (1900 to the present)—20% | 36 – 38 | Help with Some Confusing Subjects | 39 – 43 | Chinese Dynasties | 39 | Political, Economic, and Social Systems | 40 | Religions | 41 | Primary Sources | 42 | “Must Know” Years | 43 | * Many of the guidelines in this study packet are adapted from the AP World History Course Description, developed by College Board. The AP Exam Purchasing and taking the AP World History exam are requirements of the course. This year, the AP World History exam will be administered on: ___________________________________________ Format I. Multiple...
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...IGOROTS * Home * IGOROT SONGS * IGOROT DANCE * IGOROT TRADITIONS * MONEY ON THE MOUNTAIN IGOROT TRADITIONS IGOROT TRADITIONS When we talk about Igorot identity and culture, we also have to consider the time. My point is that: what I am going to share in this article concerning the Igorot culture might not be the same practiced by the Igorots of today. It has made variations by the passing of time, which is also normally happening to many other cultures, but the main core of respect and reverence to ancestors and to those who had just passed is still there. The Igorot culture that I like to share is about our practices and beliefs during the "time of Death". Death is part of the cycle of life. Igorots practice this part of life cycle with a great meaning and importance. Before the advent of Christianity in the Igorotlandia, the Igorots or the people of the Cordilleran region in the Philippines were animist or pagans. Our reverence or the importance of giving honor to our ancestors is a part of our daily activities. We consider our ancestors still to be with us, only that they exist in another world or dimension. Whenever we have some special feasts (e.g., occasions during death, wedding, family gathering, etc.), when we undertake something special (like going somewhere to look for a job or during thanksgiving), we perform some special offer. We call this "Menpalti/ Menkanyaw", an act of butchering and offering animals. During these times we call them...
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