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Zheng He was a Muslim Chinese admiral sent by the Yongle Emperor on several voyages. This was the first of seven voyages around the world on huge treasure ships up to 400 feet long. One of the main purposes of these voyages was to shows Chinas superiority. Zheng He did this by distributing gifts such as silver and silk. Many countries sent tribute to the Ming Court to gain rights to trade with China.
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Prince Henry became interested in exploring after seeing the wealth in the East when conquering the Muslim City of Ceuta in North Africa. He also wished to spread the Christian faith throughtout the world. To help Portugal's exploration Prince Henry founded his first navigation school on the southwestern coast of Portugal. Many different people such as mapmakers, instrument makers, scientists, ship builders, and sea captains gathered at the school to perfect their trade.
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After Zheng He's final voyage China decided that they had everything they needed in China and could sutain themselves. They stopped trade with most countries, and only allowed few ports controlled by the government.
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Christopher Columbus proposed the idea of sailing to the East Indies by sailing westward to the Spanish monarchs during the spice trade with Asia. Christopher Columus however, miscalculated his route and landed in Hispaniola instead. Christopher Columus's voyage had the first lasting European contact with the Americas that caused centruries of exploration and colonization.
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The Treaty of Tordesillas was created by Pope Alexander VI to settle the diagreement by Spain and Portugal. Both countries believed land in Asia was theirs, and to solve this problem Pope Alexander VI created an imaginary line from north to south through the Atlantic Ocean. This line gave all land west of the line, known as the Line of Demacration, to Spain, and all land east to Portugal.
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In 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama reached the port of Calicut on the southwestern coast of India. Vasco de Gama and his crew were amazed at the many goods they found at the shops such as spices, rare silks, and precious gems. The ship's cargo was worth 60 times more than the voyage.
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After many years of trying to end the warring states and defeat the daimyo, Japan was unified by Tokugawa Ieyasu who became the first shogun.
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The Qing Dynasty was established in 1644 by the Manchus who invaded China when the government was weak and the throne was in danger due to past invasions and uprisings. The Qing ruled from 1644 to 1912 when the government was overthrown and the Republic of China was establsihed.
