Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Zheng He - 15th Century Mariners: Crash Course World History #21

How did the scale of Zheng He's treasure ships compare to Christopher Columbus's flagship, the Santa Maria?

• Zheng He's ships were slightly smaller than the Santa Maria.

• Zheng He's ships were roughly the same size as the Santa Maria.

• Zheng He's ships were significantly larger, over 400 feet long compared to the Santa Maria's much smaller size.

• Columbus's Santa Maria was the largest ship of its time, dwarfing Zheng He's vessels.

What was the primary purpose of Zheng He's voyages for the Ming Dynasty?

• To discover new lands and expand China's territory.

• To establish new trade routes for Chinese goods.

• To demonstrate China's power and collect tribute from foreign rulers.

• To spread the Islamic faith throughout the Indian Ocean.

Which of the following was a primary reason for the cessation of Zheng He's voyages by the Ming Dynasty?

• The Chinese government ran out of resources to maintain such a large fleet.

• The new emperor and his successors prioritized land defense against northern nomads over maritime trade.

• Zheng He was captured by European explorers, leading to the end of the expeditions.

• The voyages were deemed unprofitable due to a lack of valuable goods to import into China.

What were two key motivations for Portugal's early maritime explorations in the 15th century?

• To establish new colonies in the Americas and spread Christianity.

• To find a sea route to the Indian Ocean for the spice trade and locate the mythical kingdom of Prester John.

• To compete with China's dominant naval power and acquire exotic animals.

• To develop advanced shipbuilding techniques and create detailed world maps.

What were the primary motivations for Portuguese exploration, as exemplified by Vasco da Gama's journey?

• Spices and silk

• Gold and Christians

• Land and slaves

• Knowledge and new trade routes

How did Portugal primarily control trade in the Indian Ocean after establishing coastal cities?

• By forming alliances with local empires.

• By establishing large-scale colonies and plantations.

• By forcing merchants to purchase a trade permit called a "cartaz."

• By offering superior goods at lower prices.

What was Christopher Columbus's significant error in his calculations that led him to believe he had reached the East Indies?

• He underestimated the size of Asia and overestimated the size of the oceans.

• He overestimated the size of Asia and underestimated the size of the oceans.

• He believed the Earth was flat, unlike most educated people of his time.

• He miscalculated the direction of the prevailing winds across the Atlantic.

What was the purpose of the Line of Demarcation established by Pope Alexander VI in 1494?

• To define the boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire.

• To divide newly discovered lands in the world between Portugal and Spain.

• To separate Christian territories from Muslim territories in Europe.

• To establish a new trade route through the Arctic Ocean.