Seeking spices and converts, European nations lead successful voyages of exploration to the East. China and Japan both limit foreign contact after a brief period of acceptance

 Upon completion, students should be able to: 1.

2.

3.

Explain the reasons why the Europeans began to explore the east.

Describe the advantages that Portugal had in sea exploration.

Summarize the growth of European exploration in the 16-1700’s.

The desire for profit and the hope of spreading Christianity motivate European exploration, and new technology makes it possible. The Portuguese dominate exploration until other Europeans, especially the Dutch, establish their own trading empires.

 Italians controlled the trade and charged them high prices for the trade goods.

 “God, glory, and gold”    the hope to convert Muslims to bring fame and prestige to themselves and their countries enrich themselves Monopoly!!!

 During the crusades (1096 – 1270) Europeans were introduced to what they deemed, as exotic spices to make their bland foods taste better (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Pepper).

 After the Crusades ended, there was a huge demand for the spices   However, Italians and Muslims controlled trade, so they could charge insane prices on these goods.

This upset other European countries and fueled the quest for exploration.

Muslims in West Asia Italians Controlling land routes and Mediterranean region.

Portugal Spain Netherlands (Dutch) France & England

 European nation believed it was their duty to spread Christianity, even after the Crusades against the Muslims.

 Now, they wanted to convert everyone in the WORLD!!!

 New vessel – the caravel  Triangular sails to sail against the wind in a zig zag pattern catching and redirecting wind.

 Astrolabe –Brass circle with calculated rings measured off in degrees.

 Magnetic Compass

 Prince Henry the Navigator  founds a navigation school on the southwestern corner of Portugal      mapmakers instrument makers shipbuilders scientists sea captains

  Portuguese believed they would have to round the tip of Africa to reach Asia. Duh! But remember they were discovering!

In 1488, Bartolomeu Diaz sailed further down the coast of Africa to the tip  A storm hit and everything went topsy-turvy.

 By luck, the storm blew him over to the east side of Africa Diaz’s Journey ended here : (

 In 1498 Vasco da Gama reached the port of Calicut on the southwestern coast of India.

 1492 – Columbus reaches the Caribbean  Tension grows between Portugal and Spain  1493 – Pope Alexander VI steps in and sets the Papal Line of Demarcation  1494 – Portugal and Spain negotiate and sign the Treaty of Tordesillas

 1600 – Dutch own 20,000 ships  1619 – Dutch seize the port of Malacca and the Spice Islands  Amsterdam becomes a leading commercial and financial center  Influence of Europeans in Asia doesn’t extend outside of the port cities

 Upon completion, students should be able to: 1.

2.

3.

Summarize the rise of the Ming Dynasty.

Explain the outcome of the early Chinese sea voyages.

Describe living conditions under the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

 Advances under the Ming and Qing dynasties left China self-contained and uninterested in European contact  The first Ming emperor, Hongwu encouraged a return to Confucian moral standards  Ming rulers would not allow outsiders to threaten the peace and prosperity they had brought to China following the end of Mongol rule



The Voyages of Zheng He

      1405 - Sponsored by Hongwu’s son Yonglo Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and eastern Africa to impress the world with the power and splendor of Ming China and to expand China’s tribute system ships up to 440 ft. long with fleet’s crews numbering over 27,000 Chinese scholars-officials see the voyages as wasteful Seventh and last voyage ended in 1433

 China Isolates Itself    Only the government to conduct trade Chinese merchants smuggled cargoes of silk, pottery, and other valuable goods Confucian beliefs and agriculturally favorable taxes keep China from becoming highly industrialized.

   after 200 years of rule ineffective rulers, corrupt officials, bad harvests, economic issues, and rebellion cause the fall of the Ming Dynasty the Manchu people from the northeast end of the Great Wall invaded they took the name Qing for their dynasty that lasted for more than 260 years

  bring Taiwan, Chinese Central Asia, Mongolia, and Tibet into China forced Chinese men to wear their hair in a pigtail as a sign of submission to their rule   uphold Confucian beliefs and social structures made the frontiers safe and restored China’s prosperity

 Kanxi, 1661-1721  reduced government expenses     offers intellectuals government positions keeps a relationship with Jesuits who keep him up to date with developments in Europe Kanxi’s grandson Qian-long rules China to its greatest size and prosperity continue policy of isolation and “Chinese rules“ for trade

 King George III asks for a better trade arrangement  representative Lord George McCartney refuses to kowtow the emperor  Qian-long denies Britain’s request  Why was the kowtow ritual important to the Chinese emperor?

 Korea     follows Chinas lead: paying tribute, adopting a Confucian government, and staying isolated China’s “little brother” Manchu invasion and 1590 Japanese invasion evoke feelings of nationalism Korean themes evident in art

 Daily Life    farmers favor sons over daughters women  educated children and handled family finances   1/2 to 2/3 suffered through foot-binding drama is popular as literacy rates are low

 Upon completion, students should be able to: 1. Trace the events that allowed Japan to become united under Tokugawa Ieyasu.

2. Describe feudal life in Japan.

3. Summarize the early contacts between Japan and the Europeans.

4. Discuss the reasons why Japan became an isolated country in the 17 th century.

 After a period of severe disorder, the Tokugawa Shogunate unifies Japan. In the two centuries of peace and prosperity that follow, the Japanese close their country to foreign ideas by banning Christianity and severely restricting foreign trade



Tokugawa Ieyasu

           unites Japan, 1600 moves capital to Edo, modern-day Tokyo daimyo govern at the local level “rule of law” overcomes “rule of the sword” increased food productions increased population merchant class and rich prosper poor still struggle women work in traditional roles towns people read urban fiction and haiku Tokugawa Shogunate rules until 1867

 Portuguese come to trade  daimyo are welcoming  intrigued by trade goods, especially firearms and cannons  new fortified castles turn into towns and cities with the attraction of artisans and merchants



Christianity in Japan

      Jesuits, Franciscans, and Dominicans convert Japanese 300,000 converts by 1600 Ieyasu finds Christianity troubling so he bans it in 1612 Persecution of Christians continues All Japanese are forced to demonstrate a faithfulness to some branch of Buddhism 1639 – Tokugawa Shogunate institute a “closed country policy” that lasts for more than 200 years

START OF JAPANESE ISOLATIONISM