Ming Dynasty Sea Voyages

Age: Grades 6-9
Time: 1-2 classes with homework preceeding each
Author: David Ross, Greenwich HS, Greenwich, Connecticut)

Student Objectives:

• recognize the bodies of water near China and South Asia
• understand the role of Zheng He in the Ming voyages
• understand the purpose of the Ming voyages

1. Teacher Preparation:
   
   1. Some background information about the Ming Dynasty in general and Zheng He in particular would be useful for the teacher before beginning this activity.
      1. If you are a member of Primary Source, read the overview of the Ming Dynasty at China Source.
      2. Another excellent resource: Admiral of the Western Seas - Cheng Ho (Zheng He) This is a very thorough description of the Yongle Emperor and Zheng He's travels.
      
      
   2. Make copies of the worksheet and the student reading for each student. Ensure access to the map of Zheng He's voyages, the map of Southeast Asia and the diagram of Zheng He's ships as compared to Christopher Columbus' ships. Make copies of these for homework and/or ensure internet access/projection for in-class work.
      
   
   
2. Procedure:
   1. Day 1: Assign questions #1-6 on the Worksheet as homework. Go over the answers the next day to correct any factual errors and to demonstrate the kind of analysis necessary to draw a conclusion based on these kinds of sources.
      
   2. Day 2: Assign the reading and questions #7-10 on the worksheet for homework. Go over the answers in class the next day.
      
   3. Alternative: The whole worksheet and reading can be assigned as one homework assignment with one day of follow-up OR the worksheet and reading with follow-up can be done in class. (Adjust according to class length and student ability.)
      
   
   
3. Worksheet Questions:      print a copy of this worksheet (PDF document)
   
   Answer questions #1-4 based on the map of Zheng He's voyages and the map of Southeast Asia.
   
   1. The Strait of Malacca, through which Zheng He sailed, lies between the southern end of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra. What two large bodies of water does this strait connect?
      
   2. Zheng He sailed through three seas and a large bay. Name these bodies of water.
      
   3. Which city or cities in Arabia did Zheng He visit?
      
   4. Columbus's voyage from Spain to the New World in 1492 covered about 5,000 miles. How does this compare to Zheng He's voyage to Arabia?
      
      Answer questions #5 & 6 from this drawing of two ships
      
   5. Compare the two ships in the drawing. Describe their physical differences.
      
   6. What conclusions can you draw about the countries that produced these ships?
      
      Answer questions #7-10 based on the student reading.
      
   7. How many voyages did Zheng He make and when?
      
   8. Describe his fleet.
      
   9. What was the purpose of these voyages?
      
   10. What technology did the Chinese have that Europeans lacked?
   
   
   
4. Student Reading: "Ming Dynasty Sea Voyages"     print a copy of this reading (PDF document)
   The Age of Discovery(1500-1650 CE) was a turning point in world history. Voyagers from Portugal and Spain discovered a route around the southern tip of Africa to India, sailed west to "discover" the New World, and sailed around the world for the first time. The voyages were long and dangerous, and the major names are in all the textbooks - Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, and Fernando Magellan. This was the beginning of imperialism and eventually led to western domination of the world. Less well known is Zheng He, a Chinese commander, whose fleets included more than 200 ships, manned by a crew of more than 20,000. The largest ships on these voyages weighed 3,000 tons. By comparison, Columbus' first voyage had three ships, an 87-man crew, and the largest ship weighed 200 tons.
   
   Zheng He was China's Da Gama, Columbus, and Magellan all rolled into one. He was the admiral in charge of seven important voyages that Chinese fleets made between the years 1405-1433. Zheng He was born in Yunnan Province in 1371. He came from a Moslem family and served Prince Zhu Di, who became the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The voyages led by Zheng He covered most of the South China Sea, crossed the Indian Ocean, and even reached the east coast of Africa.
   
   The Emperor sent Zheng He on these voyages not to explore, because most of the areas he visited were already known to the Chinese, but to display China's power and magnificence. In fact, the larger ships were known as "treasure ships" because of the silk, porcelain, and other luxury goods that they carried. The diplomatic purpose of the voyages was to convince as many countries as possible to sign up as tributary nations. This meant that the country acknowledged China's superiority and agreed to pay tribute to the Emperor. Fifty countries were sufficiently impressed to sign up and others, those that were reluctant, were convinced by a brief bombardment of the port city. The economic purpose was also satisfied because Zheng opened trade routes that supplied China with horses, sulfur, spices, copper ore, and precious stones.
   
   One difference between the European voyages and the Chinese voyages was that the Chinese had technology that the Europeans lacked. One example of these technological advantages was the magnetic compass. This had been developed in China during the 900's, and made it possible for the ships to navigate across long stretches of open ocean because true direction could be determined. A second advantage was that the Chinese had developed a way to build water-tight compartments, which meant that ships could be much larger than before while still being safe. A third advantage was the stern-post rudder, which made it possible to steer more easily and accurately. The final advantage was that the Chinese had accurate maps of the areas in which they were to sail. This made it possible to plan and navigate longer voyages to more destinations.
   
   The Chinese voyages did not continue because the next emperor was not interested in overseas expeditions. European countries soon took the lead in shipbuilding and trade. This was to have a major impact on China in the 1800's.