A Brief History
On June 24, 1398, the Hongwu Emperor of China died. Soon after this emperor’s death, one of his sons, Zhu Di (1360-1424), began an ultimately successful rebellion to seize the throne from the Hongwu Emperor’s teenage successor, a nephew of Zhu Di. By 1402, Zhu Di’s nephew was dead and Zhu Di, now known as the Yongle Emperor, began a reign that has gone down in history as one of the most famous and significant in all of Chinese history. During his reign of over twenty years, the Yongle Emperor’s famed eunuch admiral Zheng He (1371-1433) conducted naval expeditions that at least reached as far as Africa, although some scholars speculate the Chinese sailed their junks to the Americas! Throughout these exciting events from the late 1300s through the early 1400s, Chinese junks participated in some of the most dramatic naval battles and exploratory expeditions occurring anywhere in the world during that time period.
Digging Deeper
Source: HotelClub
Question for students (and subscribers): How would the world be different today if China tried to colonize the Americas in the early 1400s? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="11562 https://www.historyandheadlines.com/?p=11562">33 Comments
These junks are very interesting in that they are so far ahead of their time. No other ship was advanced as they were for many years. They also appear to be the inspiration for the junks used by the Chinese pirates in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
N.W.
I don’t know much about ships, nor have I ever been on one, so reading about these junks was very interesting to me. The Treasure Ship with 9 masts was incredibly designed and I was surprised at how large it truly was. I agree with Nathan in that these junks remind me of those used in the Pirates of the Caribbean.
It’s interesting that there are speculations the Chinese sailed their junks all the way to America. It’s hard to believe that they could build that quality of ship without the modern knowledge and tools.
I find it interesting how the Chinese still use these junks today, and have been able to keep up with today’s society and using them in a way that is still helpful. It is incredible to think about how they came up with the ideas that they did back in the day without the advancement of today’s technology and transportation.
Unfortunately, I have never been able to take a course in Asian history. I feel like it is a shame that many cultures who have probably arrived to the Americas before Columbus have been undermined. I also thought it was surprising how much larger some of the junks were compared to the Santa Maria.
It was cool to discover how innovated these ships were in speed and size during their time.
For some reason the way old time ships worked has always interested me. While they were so far behind technology-wise back then, some of the simple mechanics in the boat are “advanced”. They also used these for hundreds of years.
Zheng He was a truly amazing explorer by sea. The way he was able to sail all over most of the eastern part of the world. I also find it interesting how the Chinese still use junks today when Zheng He also sailed them.
It’s nice to see that the writers of the Pirates of the Caribbean did make sure that the ships were close to what was actually used. As for reaching America, I do believe it is possible for the Chinese to have landed.
after reading all of the information about the junks they seem to be incredible ships that could of easily made it to America especially shown on how boats with similar designs are still used to day in modern times.
Really claiming a full understanding of the ships you need to see these things in person. Even watching certain movies with them there is no comparison to seeing them live.
It’s really unfortunate that Columbus gets all the fame when cultures like the Chinese had such an incredible story in their journey. Hopefully it becomes more widely known in the future that there were many great discovers!
It’s amazing to see how advanced the Chinese ships were compared to the European ships. It’s surprising that they didn’t rule the waters.
It is interesting to see how advance the Chinese were compared to Europeans. I wish people were more aware of that.
Looking at how fast and lightweight the junk ships are and with the massive size of them I have no doubt that they would have been able to reach the Americas as early as 960 A.D.
I think it is interesting that the junks were able to make it all the way to America without today’s technology.
I think it’s interesting to see how the junks changed from one dynasty to another. I also believe with the advanced boats, that they reached America before Columbus.
I can’t believe they made ships that big, let alone 600 years ago.
i think it is interesting that they had as big of ships that they did, even with the lack of technology back then
i never knew the chinese had these huge of ships bigger than Rome and other places that had good navies during the time. plus how they good they were to handle in the sea and that they lasted all the way to modern times
It’s not in the slightest bit hard to believe the Chinese had visited among the many other pre-Columbia explorers.
I love that they were able to make these extravagant ships 600 years ago. I would have loved to have seen it.
The thought of their ships blows my mind, they had such little technology and tools back then, but what they could build was amazing. We would never be able to build something that big and beautiful with the tools they used.
the size of their ships amazes me
very interesting to remember the people that reached the Americas before Columbus
Its very neat to be able to hear about other stories of people first reaching the America’s. The whole idea that Columbus was first is so not true.
Very interesting to think about what our history might have been like has Asians beat the Europeans to developing civilization North America.
The technology and ships do not quite matchup, expert craftsmen with little technology and tools.
Its cool to hear of all the different accounts of people reaching america before Columbus.
Those ships were so technologically advanced for that time. Its no wonder Columbus was not really the original finder of America. We should learn about everyone else who found America and not just him
I like hearing about young emperors who were able to accomplish so much so early.
Would love to see these ships in person.
i don’t hear much about chinese history i wish we could learn more about them in school like even in high school or elementary
These young emperors in mainly Asia live such interesting lives.