Zheng He’s Expeditions

Above, the Chinese admiral Zheng He.

Today, you will research the voyages of Zheng He, the famous Chinese admiral, to better understand the Chinese naval and commercial activities in the Indian Ocean in the early 15th century.



Using the links below, as well as your notes from class and your textbook, answer the following questions in 3-4 sentences each:

1. What do Zheng He’s experiences tell us about the values of China at this time?
2. What do the Chinese fleets reveal about technology and wealth in China at this time?
3. How did the Chinese use a tribute system as a means of trade?
4. What advantages and disadvantages might a Ming ruler have seen in continuing overseas trade?

Above, a diagram comparing the size of Zheng He’s ships to those of Columbus.

Links:
China’s Great Armada and Admiral Zheng He from National Geographic
Sultan’s Lost Treasure from NOVA Online (Read pages 1 and 2)
Zheng He Maritime Explorations - Overview from ABC-Clio (You will need to log in to view this link.)
Zheng He biography

How to Survive When the Ship Runs Out of Provisions

Adapted from “Worst Case Scenario Almanac: History”



Sail to land.
Finding land is the best option when provisions become dangerously low. Virtually any land animal is safe to eat if the flesh if thoroughly cooked or salted. Provided that they can be spotted and shot, wild goats, pigs, cattle, penguins, and monkeys will be popular options among the crew. Avoid eating unidentifiable mushrooms or plants, as they may be poisonous.

Ration.
Place the crew on half rations, particularly when the likelihood of sighting land is low or unknown. Move to quarter rations if necessary. Be prepared for poor morale among the crew and added stress as they adjust to the new measures, including less rum to drink.

Collect rainwater.
Put buckets on deck to collect water during storms. Hang sails tarpaulins, or mats from the rigging during the rain and wring them out into buckets.

Catch fish.
Assign members of the crew to catch fish congregating under the ship or in its shadow.

Eat in the dark.
If any remaining grains on the ship are infested with worms or weevils, wait until nightfall to eat so as not to see the bugs in the food. Eating insect-ridden food is better than not eating at all.

Eat crumb dough.
Instruct the cook to sweep up break crumbs from the bread room, mix them with water, and either bake this “dough” or serve it to the crew uncooked. (Peas and oats may be recovered in similar fashion from the hold.)

Hunt for rats.
Rats will be prevalent aboard the ship due to lax sanitary conditions. Catch them, gut and skin them, and roast them in the galley. Rats may also be traded among the crew for money or other provisions.

Be Aware:

• The typical crewmember was allotted a ration totaling about 3,500 calories each day, with a diet of dried or salted beef or pork, salted fish, hard ship’s biscuits, rice, dried peas, cheese, onions, garlic, oil, vinegar, water, and beer, wine or other liquor.

• Ships’ captains often chose to take less direct, island-hopping routes that would allow them to replace or restock rotting, insect- and rodent-infested provisions on board.

“Oh, My Hand!” Complaints of Medieval Monks

Click on this picture to read some of the complaints of Medieval monks as they hand-copied manuscripts. I bet these guys were glad when Gutenberg invented the printing press!

Mansa Musa: The Richest Man of all Time

Mansa Musa, the Malian king famous for his Hajj to Mecca, has recently been named the richest man in all of history. We know that Mansa Musa, whose wealth came from his prosperous west African kingdom, spread his generosity throughout his journey to and from Mecca. You can read about him and his competitors for this category here.

Keepers of the Lost Ark?

 

In 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” legendary archeologist Indiana Jones is hired by the American government to find the Ark of the Covenant.

In 2007, Smithsonian reporter Paul Raffaele explored the claim that the sacred Ark of the Covenant was hidden in modern-day Ethiopia, guarded by a people descended from the Aksumites. Read the article to learn what he discovered about ancient (and modern) Aksum.

Inside Mecca

“Inside Mecca” is an hour-long look at the Hajj from a first-hand point of view. If you have time, watch a little or a lot. It’s fascinating!

 

The Global Food Crisis

Tonight, I would like you to begin thinking about the global food crisis. Please watch the following short movies:

Global Food Security
How to Feed the World
A Billion for a Billion

For each movie, answer the following questions:

1. What was the main message of this movie?
2. What did you learn from watching this movie?
3. What’s one question you have after watching this movie?