Zheng+He+and+the+Chinese+Treasure+Fleets

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[[image:rotating gif.gif width="43" height="43"]]See World History 1.23 for more on Chinese history to the 19th century

 * See also **AP World History Key Concept 4.1**

[|Pronounce the name Zheng He]

====**On July 11, 1405, the Ming dynasty fleet under Admiral Zheng He** **began** **the first of seven voyages from China across the Indian Ocean as far west as Africa, with the last voyage was in 1433. Throughout these voyages Zheng He set new precedents for Chinese exploration and maritime travel. His fleet and their voyages were impressive feats both in their time and today. Before the Chinese ceased naval construction and exploration, Zheng He helped to greatly expand their knowledge of the world around them and what it had to offer.**====
 * [|Brief Biography and Timeline] or a[| Quick look at Zheng He]
 * A[|ncient Chinese Explorers] from PBS NOVA
 * For background, see [|Chinese Admiral in the Indian Ocean] from Kahn Academy


 * The Treasure Fleets **

Zheng He's boats were enormous in size, measuring 400 feet in length and 170 feet across with 9 masts and a displacement of 3,000 tons. These ships have been called a "treasure fleet." This was 10 times the size of Vasco da Gama's flagship at the outset of European exploration more than a century later. Check out the differences here - [|Columbus's Ship vs. Zheng He's Treasure Ship] - it's a look at models of the ships side by side!

[|The Ming Voyages] from Asia for Educators, Columbia University [|Voyages of Zheng He, 1405-1433] from National Geographic [|The Voyages of Zheng He], a quick recap from St. Mary's University
 * Some more reading about his voyages:**
 * [|China's Great Armada] ** from National Geographic describes the voyages of the treasure fleets.

**Here is a detailed lecture on the topic:** T[|he Voyages of Chinese explorer Zheng He,] a lecture from the Penn Museum, University of Pennsylvania **Or a five minute clip to show from PBS:** [|World Explorer - Zheng He]



[|History Lab: Ming China and the Voyages of Zheng He] [|The Ming Voyages - Asia for Educators] [|Who First Reached America: The Vikings, the Chinese Admiral Zheng He or Columbus?] Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute Here's an quicker, easier read about Zheng He and for lower reading levels along with a quick quiz: [|Biography - Zheng He]
 * Lesson Plan Ideas: **

Here's some brief biographies of exemplary women around the time of Zheng He's Voyages: [|Notable Women] This page has some information about slave life under the Ming Code section: [|Ming Dynasty]