3.1 Empires Expand

• In which century did Chinese mariners demonstrate their capacity for large expeditions?


  The early decades of the 14th century
• What was the consequence of the Chinese failures to sustain their maritime initiatives?


  It left Asian waters open to European interventions a century later
• How can the Chinese refusal to commit to overseas expansion be understood in contrast to European motivations?


  Europeans had strong motives for expansion, while the Chinese did not
• What social and economic transformations occurred in European civilization during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance?


  They brought Europe to a level of development that compared favorably with China
• How did the size of the Chinese empire compare to European nation-states like Portugal and Spain?


  The Chinese empire was far larger and more populous
• What advantage did European kingdoms have despite their smaller size compared to China?


  They were more efficient at mobilizing their limited resources
• How did rivalries among European states influence their approach to overseas expansion?


  It fostered greater aggressiveness and competition among Europeans
• How did the leadership and discipline of European soldiers compare to Chinese armies?


  European soldiers were generally better led, armed, and disciplined
• What type of agriculture was more productive in China compared to Europe?

  Wet rice agriculture
• What technological advantage did Europeans have over the Chinese during the medieval period?


  Technological innovations in animal and machine power
• When were the Chinese ready to undertake overseas expansion compared to the Europeans?


  A few centuries earlier
• What did the voyages of Da Gama, Columbus, and Zheng He demonstrate about both civilizations?


  They had the shipbuilding and navigational skills for ambitious undertakings
• What was the difference in outcomes between the Zheng He expeditions and the European expeditions of Columbus and Da Gama?


  Zheng He's expeditions were a dead end, while Columbus and Da Gama's were the beginning of European expansion
• What factors drove European nations to support exploration and overseas expansion?


  Desire for precious metals and trade goods
• What did European rulers hope to achieve by financing expeditions?


  To bring home precious metals and trade goods for profit
• How did European traders view overseas expansion?


  As a means to find new lands for profitable crops
• What was the motivation behind the Christian leaders' support for overseas expansion?


  To convert heathens and find the legendary Prester John
• Who primarily drove the Chinese Zheng He expeditions?


  A single emperor and a favored eunuch
• What were the motivations behind Yungle's expeditions?


  Curiosity and the desire to impress his greatness
• How did Chinese merchants feel about the Zheng He voyages?


  Most felt little need for the voyages
• What did the scholar-gentry think about the Zheng He expeditions?


  They were actively hostile to the voyages
• Why did the scholar-gentry view the Zheng He voyages as a waste of resources?


  They believed wealth should be directed to building armies and fortifications
• What internal struggles distracted the Chinese from overseas expansion?


  Focus on internal struggles and threats from central Asia
• What led to the abandonment of Zheng He's expeditions after 1430?


  Hostility from the scholar-gentry and lack of enthusiasm from Yungle's successors
• What was the consequence of the Chinese retreat from overseas expansion?


  The Europeans surged outward, leading to significant consequences for both civilizations
• What were the key differences in motivations for overseas expansion between Europeans and Chinese?


  • Europeans sought wealth, military strength, and religious conversion
  • Chinese expeditions were driven by curiosity and imperial pride
  • European nations had widespread support for exploration, while Chinese support was limited
• What were the consequences of the differing approaches to overseas expansion by Europeans and Chinese?


  • Europeans established global dominance and trade networks
  • Chinese retreated inward, focusing on internal issues
  • Long-term impacts on global trade and cultural exchanges
• What were the main groups in European society that supported overseas expansion?

  • Rulers seeking wealth and military power
  • Traders looking for profitable crops and trade routes
  • Religious leaders wanting to convert non-Christians
• In which century did Chinese mariners demonstrate their capacity for large expeditions?


  The early decades of the 14th century
• What was the consequence of the Chinese failures to sustain their naval initiatives?


  Asian waters were left open to armed European interventions
• How can the reasons for the Chinese refusal to commit to overseas expansion be understood?


  By contrasting them with the forces driving European expansion
• What did the comparison between Europeans and Chinese reveal about their means for expansion?


  Both had the means, but only Europeans had strong motives for expansion
• What social and economic transformations occurred in European civilization during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance?


  They brought Europe to a level of development comparable to China
• How did the efficiency of European kingdoms compare to that of the Chinese empire?


  European kingdoms were more efficient at mobilizing their limited resources
• What was the impact of rivalries between European states on their expansion efforts?


  It fostered greater aggressiveness and competition among Europeans
• How did the military capabilities of Chinese armies compare to those of European kingdoms?


  Chinese armies were larger, but European soldiers were better led and armed
• What type of agriculture was more productive in China compared to Europe?

  Wet rice agriculture
• What technological advantage did Europeans have over the Chinese during the medieval period?


  Technological innovations in animal and machine power
• When were the Chinese ready to undertake overseas expansion compared to the Europeans?


  A few centuries earlier
• What did the voyages of Da Gama, Columbus, and Zheng He demonstrate about the civilizations involved?


  Both had the necessary shipbuilding and navigational skills