MMW 13 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Indian Ocean, Zheng He, Xuande Emperor
Lecture 4 continued…
The Purpose of the Treasure Fleets (1402-1435)
Extend Chinese maritime presence
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Indian ocean
□
Military, cultural, commercial, and political concerns all part
of "presence"
□
§
All these motivations complemented each other, not mutually
exclusive
"To cleanse and pacify the sea routes"
Mostly against pirates
®
References to the capture of important pirates
®
□
Increase Ming Dynasty's imperial prestige through cultural
embassies
"Unifying the seas and continents"
Brought back many exotic animals
Giraffes, ostrich, zebras, etc.
}
◊
®
Maintain Ming's symbolic status overseas as the
"Middle Kingdom"
®
□
Demonstrate the generosity and wealth of the Ming
Trading was seen as an act of generosity
Silk, tea, and china
◊
®
□
Power-broker and "king-maker" to expand China's tributary
system
Tributary states: rulers in other places would submit to
the Chinese courts. Brought tributes to reaffirm the
empire
®
Roughly 7 new tributary states were created
®
□
§
(Finlay) describes the Ming Agenda as the "carrot and stick"
approach
Profound geopolitical impact throughout southeast Asian and
Indian ocean
□
§
○
Lecture 5
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
10:03 AM
Document Summary
Military, cultural, commercial, and political concerns all part of "presence" All these motivations complemented each other, not mutually exclusive. Increase ming dynasty"s imperial prestige through cultural embassies. Demonstrate the generosity and wealth of the ming. Trading was seen as an act of generosity. Power-broker and "king-maker" to expand china"s tributary system. Tributary states: rulers in other places would submit to the chinese courts. Roughly 7 new tributary states were created (finlay) describes the ming agenda as the "carrot and stick" approach. If somehow defiant--> might have to use some force (threat was enough) Gavin menzie"s theory about the 6th expedition 1421-1423. Seventh and last expedition in 1435 during reign of emperor. Crucial precondition for the successful portuguese entry into the indian ocean and southeast asia networks in 1498. The impact on world history past and present. What if china had not withdrawn from the indian ocean in the. Recent propaganda to revive and celebrate the legacy of.
