Video 16: Admiral Zheng He
Video 16 Quiz
1. How many expeditions did Zheng He have for how long?
a. 2 expeditions for 5 years
b. 7 expeditions for 16 years
c. 9 expeditions for 19 years
2. Who went to the Indian Ocean first?
a. Zheng He
b. Vasco Da Gama
c. Columbus
3. Why was trade with foreign countries stopped after Zheng He’s death?
a. Because they lost silver and gold by trading with the foreign countries.
b. Because there was a huge rebellion.
c. Because there were civil servants’ strong checks toward eunuchs.
a. 2 expeditions for 5 years
b. 7 expeditions for 16 years
c. 9 expeditions for 19 years
2. Who went to the Indian Ocean first?
a. Zheng He
b. Vasco Da Gama
c. Columbus
3. Why was trade with foreign countries stopped after Zheng He’s death?
a. Because they lost silver and gold by trading with the foreign countries.
b. Because there was a huge rebellion.
c. Because there were civil servants’ strong checks toward eunuchs.
Video 16 Transcript
Now we are in front of Zheng He’s picture who was a very famous admiral
and diplomat of Ming Dynasty who lived from 1371 to 1435. He is known for 7
expeditions for 16 years with at least 63 huge ships, 200 smaller ships, and
28,000 sailors. The largest ship was said to be 137m long, 56m wide and used 9
masts. Many historians said that his ship was at least 20 times larger than
those of Columbus’s which only used 3 masts.
Then, who was Zheng He and why did he have 7 expeditions for 16 years? Zheng He first was a eunuch and recognized by Yong le after helping him becoming an emperor. However, Yong le thought that his cousin that he fought against was still alive overseas. Therefore, Young le ordered Zheng He to find him out. It was the first purpose of the expedition. However, realistically, the goal of expeditions was to promote trade and collect tribute from lesser powers across the western seas. Zheng He and his soldiers even reached Kenya in Africa as the furthest over South East and South West Asia, and promoted the national glory around the world. And it was 80 to 90 years earlier than Columbus in 1492 and Vasco Da Gama in 1497 sailing the Indian Ocean. During 7 times of expeditions, he brought silk and chinaware and brought back lots of jewelries and exotic animals such as giraffe. Additionally, it showed local rulers the power and strength of the Chinese empire.
However, these expeditions and trade with foreign countries stopped after Zheng He’s death during the last expedition in 1433. And because of civil servants’ strong check toward the eunuchs, Zheng He’s armada was removed, and there was no more pioneering in the ocean.
Then, who was Zheng He and why did he have 7 expeditions for 16 years? Zheng He first was a eunuch and recognized by Yong le after helping him becoming an emperor. However, Yong le thought that his cousin that he fought against was still alive overseas. Therefore, Young le ordered Zheng He to find him out. It was the first purpose of the expedition. However, realistically, the goal of expeditions was to promote trade and collect tribute from lesser powers across the western seas. Zheng He and his soldiers even reached Kenya in Africa as the furthest over South East and South West Asia, and promoted the national glory around the world. And it was 80 to 90 years earlier than Columbus in 1492 and Vasco Da Gama in 1497 sailing the Indian Ocean. During 7 times of expeditions, he brought silk and chinaware and brought back lots of jewelries and exotic animals such as giraffe. Additionally, it showed local rulers the power and strength of the Chinese empire.
However, these expeditions and trade with foreign countries stopped after Zheng He’s death during the last expedition in 1433. And because of civil servants’ strong check toward the eunuchs, Zheng He’s armada was removed, and there was no more pioneering in the ocean.
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Video 6: Hall of Supreme Harmony Video 7: Palace of Heavenly Purity Video 8: Palace of Earthly Tranquility Video 9: The Imperial Garden
Video 10: Imperial Sight Pavilion Video 11: Palace Defenses Video 12: Daily Life of the Emperor Video 13: Lives of the Concubines
Ming Tombs Videos
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