15th Century Maritime Explorers and Their Impact

Oct 25, 2024

Crash Course World History: Mariners of the 15th Century

Key Figures

  • Christopher Columbus

    • Famous for his 1492 voyage to America.
    • Not the first to discover America due to the presence of indigenous peoples.
    • Had a deserved historical reputation, not necessarily as the greatest sailor.

  • Zheng He

    • Greatest admiral in Chinese history.
    • Led 7 voyages between 1405-1433 with over 300 ships and 27,000 crew members.
    • Muslim eunuch from humble beginnings.
    • Expeditions were trade missions to establish China’s prestige rather than for economic need.
    • Brought exotic animals to China, such as rhinos and giraffes.
    • Voyages ended due to the death of the Yongle Emperor and the shift in focus to protecting China.

  • Vasco da Gama

    • Portuguese explorer who reached the Indian Ocean in 1498.
    • Represented Portugal's trade interests and crusading spirit.
    • Established Portugal’s trading post empire through strategic coastal city captures.
    • Relied on extortion method known as the cartize system for trading.

Key Concepts

  • Indian Ocean Trade

    • Dominated by Muslim merchants among Africa, the Middle East, India, Indonesia, and China.
    • China's involvement was for prestige through a tribute system.

  • Portuguese Exploration

    • Driven by a need for resources and a strong crusading spirit.
    • Prince Henry the Navigator was a key patron, fostering nautical knowledge.

  • Spanish Exploration

    • Columbus sought gold and Christians, funded by Spain's Ferdinand and Isabella.
    • Misconception corrected: Columbus knew the Earth was round but miscalculated its size.

Impact and Legacy

  • Zheng He: Demonstrated China’s naval superiority and international prestige.
  • Vasco da Gama: Opened Indian Ocean trade to European powers, though Portugal's control was short-lived.
  • Columbus: Voyages initiated European colonization of the Americas, though initially unsuccessful in finding riches.
  • Line of Demarcation: 1494 division by Pope Alexander VI for Spanish and Portuguese exploration claims.

Reflection

  • The lecture posed a question about the kind of legacy one would prefer, ranging from Zheng He’s administrative competence to Columbus’s impactful, though controversial, legacy.