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How Did Zheng He Influence Trade

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Zheng He was born to Muslim parents in Yunnan, a Chinese territory that was held by Mongols, in 1371. He was captured at the age of ten and was made a servant to the Chinese Army where he gradually impressed his masters, became an officer, and made a name for himself at the court of his commander, a prince named Chu Ti. In 1402 after he led a revolt against the emperor, Chu Ti took the throne and became known as the Yongle emperor. He’s fortunes rose with those of his commanders and he continued to advance his career as a well known courtier and trusted advisor. He sailed on seven sea expeditions on behalf on China’s Ming dynasty between 1405 and 1433. Prince Henry of Portugal was born in 1394 in Porto, Portugal and was the third surviving …show more content…

In 1405, Zheng He was asked by his emperor, Zhu Di, to be commander on the Treasure fleet to set sail for Calicut to purchase spices, Throughout his career on the Treasure fleets he traveled to southern Vietnam, Thailand, Melaka, and Java. A Treasure fleet is a fleet of trading ships, warships, and support vessels that would travel across the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. These fleets were a big change because China’s isolationist policy had forbidden foreign trade and travel. The goal of these fleets was to demonstrate his glory to foreign countries and for people to recognize China as the one and only center of power and culture. His seven expeditions helped achieve this goal, so many of the states the he visited acknowledged China’s power by sending gifts and diplomats to the emperor’s court. Zheng He impacted exploration in China by sailing in Treasure fleets and by making other realize that China was to one and only center of

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