Something to Think About…. Sometimes someone’s greatest strength can also become its downfall…. What would an example of this be? Some historians say that by all rights, it was China who should have dominated the trade routes? Why?

Indian Ocean Trade Networks

Unpacking Our Documents SCARABS Style! Subject or topic of documentary source Circumstances (time, place, occasion for the creation of the document) A – Author or creator of the document Reason why the document was created (its purpose) Audience the document was intended for Bias or point of view of the creator Significant point the author or creator is making

Focus: How and why did Portugal come to dominate the Indian Ocean Trade network? CHINA (Ming Dynasty) – Zheng He’s Voyages of Exploration – Diplomacy and Prestige 1433 – Voyages Terminated: 1.Border Issues 2.Conservative factions fears foreign influences would lead to instability 3.Possessed a large land empire PORTUGAL 1415 – (Portugal) – King Henry the Navigator – Commercial connections and spread Christianity 1.Want all-sea route to Asian Markets – avoid Muslim and Italian intermediaries 2.Slave Trade- build sugar plantations 3.Ships with canons – allowed them to dominate by 1500