Unit 1:Age of exploration and isolation

Zheng He takes his first voyage

Oct 1, 1405

Zheng He led his voyage on a "treasure" ship. Everywhere he went, he distributed gifts to show Chinese superiority, and because of this, more than 16 countries sent tribute to the Ming Court,

Prince Henry founds first navigation school.

Oct 1, 1419

Prince Henry founded a naviagtion school on the southwestern coast of Portugal, and mapmakers, instrument makers, shipbuilders, scientists, and sea captains gathered to perfect their trade. Soon after, Portugese ships began sailing down the western coast of Africa.

Ming China adopts isolationist policy following Zheng He’s seventh voyage

Oct 1, 1433

Chinese scholar-officials complained that the voyages wasted recources, so after the seventh voyage, China withdrew into isolation.

Christopher Columbus lands in Hispaniola

Oct 1, 1492

Columbus claimed the island for Spain, and he named it San Salvador.

Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas

Oct 1, 1494

Pope Alexander V1 tried to make a line for the land that belonged to Spain and Portugal. Portugal thought that the line gave to much to Spain, so the line was moved. Then, Spain and Portugal signed the treaty of tordesillas.

Vasco da Gama reaches India

Oct 1, 1498

The Portugese found spices, rare silks, and precious gems that they filled their ships with.

Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun of Japan

Oct 1, 1603

Tokugawa became a shogun, and he used his remaining years to create the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Manchus establish Qing Dynasty in China

Oct 1, 1644

The Quing Dynasty would rule for 260 years, and they expanded China's borders.