Chinese Exploration of the World: Zheng He


 * We tend to think of European exploration as earliest overseas exploration of the world
 * China actually predated the exploration of the world by about a century
 * Didn't result in new colonization or conquest, which is why is they are not frequently discussed or considered

Chinese Age of Discovery

 * Exploration begun under Yongle

Yongle-Era Expedition

 * Yongle (Yungla) usurped the throne
 * Very powerful leader
 * In 1405, Yongla launches exploratoray missions

Zheng He (1371 -1435)

 * Was a eunuch
 * Beloved in Chinese culture
 * As a eunuch, gained great trust of Emperor
 * Became an admiral in the Chinese Navy
 * Was a Muslim, from edge of the Chinese emperor
 * Very talented
 * Nicknamed "Three Jewel Eunuch"
 * Ships under his command were called the "Jewel ships"

First Voyage

 * 1405 -1407: Traveled to Vietnam, Java, Calcutta India
 * Intervened in succession struggle

Second Voyage

 * 1407 - 1409: Traveled to India
 * Erected stili (obelisks) claiming these areas

Third Voyage

 * Third Voyage
 * Again intervenes in local political quarrels

Fourth Voyage

 * 1413 - 1415: Got the Persian Gulf
 * Fleet splits, some go to Somalia

Fifth Voyage

 * 1417 - 1419: Persian Gulf
 * Half goes to mouth of Red Sea

Sixth Voyage

 * 1421 - 1422:
 * Africa & SE Asia

Seventh Voyage

 * 1431 - 1433: Complete tour of SE Asia, India, Middle-East
 * Even managed to get to Mecca

Technology of Seafaring

 * Chinese Junks were the most powerful sea-going ships in the world
 * Claimed to be 400 ft long, but probably shorter
 * 4 Decks
 * Could travel 6 knots
 * Used magnetic compass for navigation

Chinese Worldview

 * Chinese settlers & armies are never sent out from the state to colonize & conquest
 * Expeditions also stop in 1433 with death of Zheng He
 * After his death, interest in explorations wane

Expeditions & Their Legacy

 * Purpose originally to open up new luxury markets
 * Very expensive shopping trip
 * IDEA was that chinese were recieving gifts from the subordinate countries (and giving them something back)
 * Yongle was a usurper -> So he had very little respect in the court and country
 * Yongle needed legitimacy
 * Journeys brought goods and people back to validate the king

Giraffe & The "Qilin"



 * Giraffe gift was very beloved -> Because Somali name for giraffe was close to "Qilin"
 * Appearance of "Qilin" was supposed to say that a supremely worthy ruler was on the throne
 * So Yongle used Giraffes for publicity purposes

Conclusion: End of Overseas Exploration

 * Expeditions die with Zheng He
 * New eunuchs try to go forward, have new journeys
 * When a eunuch asked for the records of the journeys
 * Archivists burn the records, fearing losing power to a eunuch
 * Creating a gap in the historic record, creating mystery about this exploration


 * China didn't need to explore new lands, as it had enough land and was content in exploration