Question
The Voyages of Zheng He: 1405 - 1433
A map shows the Voyages of Zheng He: from 1405 to 1433. The map provides data on Zheng He's route and 7 destination points. The main route is from Nanjing through Qui Nhon, Surabaya, Palembang, Malacca, Banda Aceh, Galle, Malabar Coast, Hormuz, Dhofar, Aden, Mogadishu, and Malindi to Mombasa. The secondary route is from Aden to Jeddah. 7 destination points: Three points are in India, Hormuz, Malindi, Mogadishu, and Mombasa.
Voyage
Date
Furthest Port
of Call
Approx. Miles Roundtrip
(from Nanjing, China)
1
1405-07
Calicut (India)
11,600
2
1407-09
Calicut
11,600
3
1409-11
Calicut
11,600
4
1413-15
Hormuz (Iran)
14,500
5
1417-19
Malindi (Kenya)
19,000
6
1421-22
Mogadishu (Somalia)
18,000
7
1431-33
Mombasa (Kenya)
19,000
Document AnalysisHide
What was the final destination of each voyage?
Enter your response here
In all seven voyages combined, how far did Zheng He travel?
Enter your response here
What was the sailing distance, one way, from China to Mombasa?
Enter your response here
Does it appear that Zheng He was traveling to unknown lands or to well established ports?
Enter your response here
How can you use this document to argue that Zheng He’s voyages deserve acclaim?
Enter your response here
How can you use this document to argue that Zheng He’s voyages do not deserve acclaim?
Enter your response here
A map shows the Voyages of Zheng He: from 1405 to 1433. The map provides data on Zheng He's route and 7 destination points. The main route is from Nanjing through Qui Nhon, Surabaya, Palembang, Malacca, Banda Aceh, Galle, Malabar Coast, Hormuz, Dhofar, Aden, Mogadishu, and Malindi to Mombasa. The secondary route is from Aden to Jeddah. 7 destination points: Three points are in India, Hormuz, Malindi, Mogadishu, and Mombasa.
Voyage
Date
Furthest Port
of Call
Approx. Miles Roundtrip
(from Nanjing, China)
1
1405-07
Calicut (India)
11,600
2
1407-09
Calicut
11,600
3
1409-11
Calicut
11,600
4
1413-15
Hormuz (Iran)
14,500
5
1417-19
Malindi (Kenya)
19,000
6
1421-22
Mogadishu (Somalia)
18,000
7
1431-33
Mombasa (Kenya)
19,000
Document AnalysisHide
What was the final destination of each voyage?
Enter your response here
In all seven voyages combined, how far did Zheng He travel?
Enter your response here
What was the sailing distance, one way, from China to Mombasa?
Enter your response here
Does it appear that Zheng He was traveling to unknown lands or to well established ports?
Enter your response here
How can you use this document to argue that Zheng He’s voyages deserve acclaim?
Enter your response here
How can you use this document to argue that Zheng He’s voyages do not deserve acclaim?
Enter your response here
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Final Destination of Each Voyage
1. **Voyage 1 (1405-07):** Calicut (India)
2. **Voyage 2 (1407-09):** Calicut (India)
3. **Voyage 3 (1409-11):** Calicut (India)
4. **Voyage 4 (1413-15):** Hormuz (Iran)
5. **Voyage 5 (1417-19):** Malindi (Kenya)
6. **Voyage 6 (1421-22):** Mogadishu (Somalia)
7. **Voyage 7 (1431-33):** Mombasa (Kenya)
### Total Distance Traveled in All Seven Voyages
To find the total distance traveled, we sum the approximate roundtrip miles for each voyage:
- Voyage 1: 11,600 miles
- Voyage 2: 11,600 miles
- Voyage 3: 11,600 miles
- Voyage 4: 14,500 miles
- Voyage 5: 19,000 miles
- Voyage 6: 18,000 miles
- Voyage 7: 19,000 miles
Total = 11,600 + 11,600 + 11,600 + 14,500 + 19,000 + 18,000 + 19,000 = **105,300 miles**
### Sailing Distance One Way from China to Mombasa
The approximate roundtrip distance from Nanjing to Mombasa is 19,000 miles. To find the one-way distance, we divide this by 2:
- One way to Mombasa = 19,000 / 2 = **9,500 miles**
### Established Ports vs. Unknown Lands
Zheng He appears to have been traveling to well-established ports rather than unknown lands. The destinations such as Calicut, Hormuz, Malindi, Mogadishu, and Mombasa were all significant trading hubs in the Indian Ocean region at the time. This indicates that his voyages were aimed at enhancing trade and diplomatic ties with known regions, rather than discovering new territories.
### Argument for Acclaim
Zheng He’s voyages deserve acclaim because they facilitated extensive maritime trade and cultural exchange, showcasing China's naval prowess during the Ming dynasty. The sheer scale of the voyages, covering vast distances and visiting different cultures, highlights his role in establishing China as a major player in international trade. Additionally, his expeditions strengthened diplomatic relations and promoted economic integration across Asia and Africa, marking a significant period in maritime history.
### Argument Against Acclaim
One might argue against the acclaim of Zheng He's voyages by noting that they primarily reinforced already existing trade routes rather than discovering new lands or expanding territories significantly for China. Additionally, the fact that he visited mainly established ports suggests that the voyages were more about managing existing trade interests rather than pioneering exploration. Critics may argue that these expeditions did not produce lasting impacts or conquests, highlighting a lack of long-term significance in terms of geographic expansion for the Chinese Empire.
1. **Voyage 1 (1405-07):** Calicut (India)
2. **Voyage 2 (1407-09):** Calicut (India)
3. **Voyage 3 (1409-11):** Calicut (India)
4. **Voyage 4 (1413-15):** Hormuz (Iran)
5. **Voyage 5 (1417-19):** Malindi (Kenya)
6. **Voyage 6 (1421-22):** Mogadishu (Somalia)
7. **Voyage 7 (1431-33):** Mombasa (Kenya)
### Total Distance Traveled in All Seven Voyages
To find the total distance traveled, we sum the approximate roundtrip miles for each voyage:
- Voyage 1: 11,600 miles
- Voyage 2: 11,600 miles
- Voyage 3: 11,600 miles
- Voyage 4: 14,500 miles
- Voyage 5: 19,000 miles
- Voyage 6: 18,000 miles
- Voyage 7: 19,000 miles
Total = 11,600 + 11,600 + 11,600 + 14,500 + 19,000 + 18,000 + 19,000 = **105,300 miles**
### Sailing Distance One Way from China to Mombasa
The approximate roundtrip distance from Nanjing to Mombasa is 19,000 miles. To find the one-way distance, we divide this by 2:
- One way to Mombasa = 19,000 / 2 = **9,500 miles**
### Established Ports vs. Unknown Lands
Zheng He appears to have been traveling to well-established ports rather than unknown lands. The destinations such as Calicut, Hormuz, Malindi, Mogadishu, and Mombasa were all significant trading hubs in the Indian Ocean region at the time. This indicates that his voyages were aimed at enhancing trade and diplomatic ties with known regions, rather than discovering new territories.
### Argument for Acclaim
Zheng He’s voyages deserve acclaim because they facilitated extensive maritime trade and cultural exchange, showcasing China's naval prowess during the Ming dynasty. The sheer scale of the voyages, covering vast distances and visiting different cultures, highlights his role in establishing China as a major player in international trade. Additionally, his expeditions strengthened diplomatic relations and promoted economic integration across Asia and Africa, marking a significant period in maritime history.
### Argument Against Acclaim
One might argue against the acclaim of Zheng He's voyages by noting that they primarily reinforced already existing trade routes rather than discovering new lands or expanding territories significantly for China. Additionally, the fact that he visited mainly established ports suggests that the voyages were more about managing existing trade interests rather than pioneering exploration. Critics may argue that these expeditions did not produce lasting impacts or conquests, highlighting a lack of long-term significance in terms of geographic expansion for the Chinese Empire.