# Video Notes: Zhenghe, Vasco De Gama, and Columbus - Indian ocean trade dominated by muslims merchants, involving ports in **india, middle east, africa, indonesia and china** - all three became sailors for wealth ## Zheng he Muslim?? - China has experience with muslim bc previously ruled by mongols > Eunuch - Person without balls - eunuch - greatest chinese admiral in history 1405-1433 zhenghe led total of 7 voyages in the Indian ocean with treasure ships 300 ships vs 3 ships -columbus ships way biggrer was not explorer, followed known routes china use tribute system country ambassador come to china kowchow and offer money for goods zhenghe ships also escort ambassadors back receive many tribute including exotic animals voyage end bc 1. zhenghe died 2. appointing emperor died 3. future emperors weren't interested in maritime trade, more concerned with protecting china ## Vasco De Gama Portugal: large coastline, little resources, rely heavily on trade only place in Europe with large muslim pop portugal very advanced in terms of sea navigation Commissioned sailors to search for two things 1. path to indian ocean 2. kingdom of prester john (fictional christian king living in africa) De gama first person to make it around africa and into indian ocean trade route land in Calicut in india say three words “Gold and Christians” Portugal capture many costal cities, creating “trading post empires” portuguese capture merchant ships and force them to buy trade permit (cartaz) without cartaz, cannot trade in any Portuguese controlled town Portuguese = glorified pirates pope split glove between spain and Portugal ## Columbus Columbus’ crew knew the earth was round, misestimated size of earth first of 4 journeys: landed on island he called san salvador in search of gold and christians convinced spain to fund expeditions by promising riches and conversion of natives in hopes of another crusade hired two sets of researchers, both said was impossible desperate to get riches returned with neither spices nor gold least successful of the three huge negative impact on the natives of Americas For the site tree, see the [root Markdown](https://slashpage.com/atwnotes.md).