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The forbiden city the main base of operations for the ming dynasty as this was where the emperor resided

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Malacca was an independent state and was in a prime tactical location because it was the shortest route between the Pacific and Indian ocean. Since Malacca was a tactical spot it resulted in foreign vessels having to pay tax and make Malacca money. Foreigners were aided when reaching Malacca through environmental factors such as monsoon winds that helped sailors travel. Malacca was located in between the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia causing it to be an important trading area. Malacca was also a place where Zheng He collected goods and moved the goods back to China. Some of the trade goods sold in Malacca were cloves, nutmeg, island spices, seed pearls, bird plumes, and finally batiks (dyed cloth). These items were exchanged for Indian textiles. Chinese took Malay wives and raised their families in Malacca. Population mixing also caused different religions such as Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism to all be in one place.

Source packet Day 3

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Kun Ming Shi, Yunnan, China (Zheng He's Birthplace)

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Kun Ming Shi, Yunnan, China (Zheng He's Birthplace)

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Zheng He was born in 1371 in western China. He was born into a Muslim family.  When Zheng He was a child he was a slave, and worked for the  imperial court of the Ming Dynasty. In Zheng He's life he went on 3 voyages for the Ming emperor and was the principal envoy (representative) and commander of chief of one of the voyages called the treasure fleet.

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The Maldives were important destinations for Zheng He's voyages. Valuable goods like ambergris were traded there and the Chinese got important supplies. Some causes of these valuable goods were the need for resupply and availability of trade in that area. This effect allowed for a lot of new trade  items from different places for not only business but for culture.

Source packet Day 4

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Hormuz was a good stopping point for trade as merchants made a lot of money from exchanging Chinese silk and porcelain for precious stones and other goods such as carpets.

Cause: Zheng He needed a place to stop and trade with Africa so he traded on Hormuz Island.

Effect: Trade happens on the Island and Islam is brought from the Middle East to Africa and Asia.

Source packet Day 4

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In 1405, Zheng He departed Nanjing in control of a group of 317 ships and 27, 000 men. Their destination was Calicut, a powerful city state in Kerala that had emerged as the most important in India and South Asia due to the materials found in that region. Calicut had a trade market for spices and rare woods such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and precious pepper. Zheng He returned from Calicut in 1407,  2 years after first arriving in Calicut and immediately upon his return, the emperor Zhu Di ordered a second trip to India and during that time, Chinese envoys helped select a new king of Calicut strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

Source packet Day 2

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Forbidden City, Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng, Beijing, China

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Before the start of the Ming Dynasty the Chinese had a fear of foreigners. The Ming emperor was interested in showing China's power. The Ming Dynasty started taking voyages to create more opportunities, make stable trade routes, and build up relationships. As The Ming Dynasty was starting to make voyages there also started to be new technological advancements to aid travels for example the astrolabe. The astrolabe helped sailors better navigate to their destination. These technological advancements helped Zheng He to reach his destination.

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In 1405 Malacca started a relationship with the Ming Dynasty. The Chinese emperor gave Parameswara the leader of Malacca an investiture (a ring showing support). The Chinese had a goal of causing Malacca and Siamese to not get along. This helped cause the Chinese emperor to have more control over Malacca and the Siamese.

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Malacca was a Tributary state of the Ming Dynasty meaning that it would pay tribute to Ming China in return for protection, trade between the two countries, and recognition. This was essential for Malacca as at that time because the Siamese were actively trying to take over Malacca. Despite the pressure Malacca received from the Siamese, they could not have done anything as Malacca was an ally of the strong and powerful Ming China.

Source Packet Day 3