Question
Questions
Describe Zheng He’s childhood.
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How did Zheng He become an official in Emperor Yongle’s government?
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How many voyages did Zheng He command?
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What were three possible reasons for the voyages? Which do you think was the main one?
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After Emperor Yongle’s death, why did Chinese officials oppose sea exploration?
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How was the Spanish response to Columbus’s voyages different from the Chinese response to Zheng He’s?
Enter your response here
Define these terms:
Ming Dynasty
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eunuch
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tribute
Enter your response here
emissary
Enter your response here
colonialism
Enter your response here
Summary
✔ Write a two- or three-sentence summary of the Background Essay describing time, place, and story.
Enter your response here
Timeline
1368
— Beginning of the Ming Dynasty
1371
— Birth of Zheng He
1381
— Ten-year-old Zheng He kidnapped by government soldiers.
1399
— Zheng He wins major battle for Prince Yan near Beijing.
1402
— Prince Yan, known as Yongle, becomes Emperor of China.
1403
— Zheng He given highest eunuch rank. Serious shipbuilding begins.
1405-1433
— Zheng leads seven expeditions to India, western Asia, and Africa.
1433
— Zheng He dies toward the end of his seventh voyage.
1905
— An article written by the Chinese scholar Liang Qichao is first modern-day recognition of Zheng He.
Describe Zheng He’s childhood.
Enter your response here
How did Zheng He become an official in Emperor Yongle’s government?
Enter your response here
How many voyages did Zheng He command?
Enter your response here
What were three possible reasons for the voyages? Which do you think was the main one?
Enter your response here
After Emperor Yongle’s death, why did Chinese officials oppose sea exploration?
Enter your response here
How was the Spanish response to Columbus’s voyages different from the Chinese response to Zheng He’s?
Enter your response here
Define these terms:
Ming Dynasty
Enter your response here
eunuch
Enter your response here
tribute
Enter your response here
emissary
Enter your response here
colonialism
Enter your response here
Summary
✔ Write a two- or three-sentence summary of the Background Essay describing time, place, and story.
Enter your response here
Timeline
1368
— Beginning of the Ming Dynasty
1371
— Birth of Zheng He
1381
— Ten-year-old Zheng He kidnapped by government soldiers.
1399
— Zheng He wins major battle for Prince Yan near Beijing.
1402
— Prince Yan, known as Yongle, becomes Emperor of China.
1403
— Zheng He given highest eunuch rank. Serious shipbuilding begins.
1405-1433
— Zheng leads seven expeditions to India, western Asia, and Africa.
1433
— Zheng He dies toward the end of his seventh voyage.
1905
— An article written by the Chinese scholar Liang Qichao is first modern-day recognition of Zheng He.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Responses
**Describe Zheng He’s childhood.**
Zheng He was born in 1371 in what is now Yunnan province, China. He came from a Muslim family and was originally named Ma He. At the age of 10, he was captured by government soldiers during a conflict and taken to serve in the imperial court as a eunuch.
**How did Zheng He become an official in Emperor Yongle’s government?**
Zheng He rose to prominence in the imperial court after demonstrating his loyalty and military skills. He served under Prince Yan (later Emperor Yongle) during a critical battle, earning the prince's trust. When Yongle became emperor, he appointed Zheng He to a high position due to his capabilities and loyalty.
**How many voyages did Zheng He command?**
Zheng He commanded a total of seven major voyages between 1405 and 1433.
**What were three possible reasons for the voyages? Which do you think was the main one?**
The three possible reasons for Zheng He’s voyages include expanding trade and commerce, establishing Chinese dominance in the region, and collecting tribute from foreign nations. The main reason was likely to expand trade, as Zheng He sought to create and strengthen commercial ties with various nations.
**After Emperor Yongle’s death, why did Chinese officials oppose sea exploration?**
After Yongle's death, Chinese officials viewed sea exploration as a drain on resources and believed that the focus should be on domestic issues rather than foreign trade. There was also a growing sentiment that China should focus on its agricultural economy and not engage with the outside world.
**How was the Spanish response to Columbus’s voyages different from the Chinese response to Zheng He’s?**
The Spanish response to Columbus's voyages was largely enthusiastic and led to the establishment of colonies in the New World, driven by a desire for wealth and territorial expansion. In contrast, the Chinese response to Zheng He’s voyages was eventually critical, leading to a cessation of maritime exploration with a greater emphasis on internal affairs and self-sufficiency.
---
### Definitions
**Ming Dynasty**
The Ming Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that ruled from 1368 to 1644, known for its trade expansion, cultural flourishing, and restoring Chinese rule after the Mongol Yuan Dynasty.
**Eunuch**
A eunuch is a man who has been castrated, often employed in various roles within royal courts, particularly in ancient China, where they served as trusted servants, advisors, and officials.
**Tribute**
Tribute refers to a payment made by one nation to another, typically as a sign of respect, submission, or acknowledgment of dominance. It was often in the form of goods, currency, or resources.
**Emissary**
An emissary is a person sent on a special mission, often as a diplomatic representative to negotiate or communicate on behalf of a government or organization.
**Colonialism**
Colonialism is a practice and policy where a country establishes control over foreign territories, often involving the settlement of its own population and the exploitation of resources and local populations.
---
### Summary
The Background Essay discusses the life and voyages of Zheng He, a prominent Chinese explorer and eunuch during the Ming Dynasty. Born in 1371, Zheng He led seven expeditions between 1405 and 1433 under Emperor Yongle, aiming to expand trade and establish China's presence in the Indian Ocean and beyond, making significant impacts on maritime history.
**Describe Zheng He’s childhood.**
Zheng He was born in 1371 in what is now Yunnan province, China. He came from a Muslim family and was originally named Ma He. At the age of 10, he was captured by government soldiers during a conflict and taken to serve in the imperial court as a eunuch.
**How did Zheng He become an official in Emperor Yongle’s government?**
Zheng He rose to prominence in the imperial court after demonstrating his loyalty and military skills. He served under Prince Yan (later Emperor Yongle) during a critical battle, earning the prince's trust. When Yongle became emperor, he appointed Zheng He to a high position due to his capabilities and loyalty.
**How many voyages did Zheng He command?**
Zheng He commanded a total of seven major voyages between 1405 and 1433.
**What were three possible reasons for the voyages? Which do you think was the main one?**
The three possible reasons for Zheng He’s voyages include expanding trade and commerce, establishing Chinese dominance in the region, and collecting tribute from foreign nations. The main reason was likely to expand trade, as Zheng He sought to create and strengthen commercial ties with various nations.
**After Emperor Yongle’s death, why did Chinese officials oppose sea exploration?**
After Yongle's death, Chinese officials viewed sea exploration as a drain on resources and believed that the focus should be on domestic issues rather than foreign trade. There was also a growing sentiment that China should focus on its agricultural economy and not engage with the outside world.
**How was the Spanish response to Columbus’s voyages different from the Chinese response to Zheng He’s?**
The Spanish response to Columbus's voyages was largely enthusiastic and led to the establishment of colonies in the New World, driven by a desire for wealth and territorial expansion. In contrast, the Chinese response to Zheng He’s voyages was eventually critical, leading to a cessation of maritime exploration with a greater emphasis on internal affairs and self-sufficiency.
---
### Definitions
**Ming Dynasty**
The Ming Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that ruled from 1368 to 1644, known for its trade expansion, cultural flourishing, and restoring Chinese rule after the Mongol Yuan Dynasty.
**Eunuch**
A eunuch is a man who has been castrated, often employed in various roles within royal courts, particularly in ancient China, where they served as trusted servants, advisors, and officials.
**Tribute**
Tribute refers to a payment made by one nation to another, typically as a sign of respect, submission, or acknowledgment of dominance. It was often in the form of goods, currency, or resources.
**Emissary**
An emissary is a person sent on a special mission, often as a diplomatic representative to negotiate or communicate on behalf of a government or organization.
**Colonialism**
Colonialism is a practice and policy where a country establishes control over foreign territories, often involving the settlement of its own population and the exploitation of resources and local populations.
---
### Summary
The Background Essay discusses the life and voyages of Zheng He, a prominent Chinese explorer and eunuch during the Ming Dynasty. Born in 1371, Zheng He led seven expeditions between 1405 and 1433 under Emperor Yongle, aiming to expand trade and establish China's presence in the Indian Ocean and beyond, making significant impacts on maritime history.