3. Exploration and Experience Before Columbus

4. China’s Exploration of the IOB
Ming Dynasty established expedition to explore & exchange
Zheng He was made admiral of more than 300 ships
Treasure Ships were diplomatic missions of the Ming
Did have some limited conflict with natives
Expensive investment by the Ming
Zheng He’s death and a change in emperors ended the outreach
China’s knowledge of the Pacific and IOB lapsed over time

5. The Mexica (Aztecs)
Mighty empire based on the earlier culture of Toltec
Dominated Central America: alienated other local tribes
Built amazing city at Tenochtitlan
Social structure based on militarism
Women played almost no role in the society
Mexica religion was polytheistic & based on human sacrifice

7. The Inca: Children of the Sun
Inca took over from autonomous states in the region (Chucuito)
Ruled as military and administrative elite
Established colonies in areas of unrest
Used quipu as an accounting tool
Designed imposing cities in the Andes; roads & bridges (Pachacuti)
Requisitioned labor under mita system
Religion was polytheistic & involved sacrifices
Politically stable until death of the previous emperor brought civil war

9. Polynesia: Mariners of the Pacific
Best mariners in world history; earlier than other nations
Explored and colonized islands throughout the Pacific
May have encountered people from the Americas
Traveled in a kind of outrigger called wa'a kaulua in Hawaiian
Polynesian Voyages of Discovery
Aboriginal people of Australia do NOT develop agriculture, but do rely on hunting & trade
Religion was animistic and tied to nature
Politically decentralized among islands with some chiefs establishing larger areas of control

11. Portugal Looks to the Ocean
Landlocked to the east (Spain)
Begin to explore the Atlantic Ocean
Prince Henry & School of Navigation
Caravel becomes the workhorse of European exploration
Bartholomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope
Da Gama take a fleet of ships to India (1497)

13. Innovations in Maritime Technology
Magnetic Compass (Chinese invention adapted by Muslims, then Europeans) allowed for more precise navigation
Astrolabe allowed for sighting along the horizon to determine north/south location (latitude)
Lateen sails allowed for tacking which meant that ships could sail into the wind
Improved cartography & more extensive explorationmade better maps and encouraged the spread of knowledge for Europeans