Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The extensive maritime expeditions known as the Ming treasure voyages, commanded by Admiral Zheng He, were conducted between 1405 and 1433, initiated under the auspices of the Yongle Emperor.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Ming treasure voyages, a series of significant maritime expeditions led by Admiral Zheng He, took place between 1405 and 1433 under the command of the Yongle Emperor.
Admiral Zheng He, the commander of the treasure fleet, was a high-ranking civil official appointed by the Ming court.
Answer: False
Explanation: Admiral Zheng He, the commander of the treasure fleet, was a high-ranking eunuch, not a civil official, appointed by the Ming court.
The original Chinese designation for the treasure fleet was 'Baochuan', meaning 'treasure ship'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The original Chinese designation for the treasure fleet was 'Xiafan Guanjun', meaning 'foreign expeditionary armada', not 'Baochuan' (treasure ship).
Between 1422 and 1431, the treasure fleet was actively engaged in voyages across the Indian Ocean.
Answer: False
Explanation: Between 1422 and 1431, the treasure fleet was stationed in Nanjing, serving in the city's garrison, rather than actively engaged in voyages.
During what period did the Ming treasure voyages, led by Admiral Zheng He, take place?
Answer: 1405 to 1433
Explanation: The Ming treasure voyages, under the command of Admiral Zheng He, were conducted over a period spanning from 1405 to 1433.
Who was the principal commander of the Ming treasure fleet?
Answer: Admiral Zheng He
Explanation: Admiral Zheng He, a trusted eunuch appointed by the Yongle Emperor, served as the principal commander of the Ming treasure fleet for these extensive maritime expeditions.
What was the original Chinese designation for the treasure fleet?
Answer: Xīfān Guǎnjūn (Foreign Expeditionary Armada)
Explanation: The original Chinese designation for the treasure fleet was 'Xiafan Guanjun', which translates to 'Foreign Expeditionary Armada', reflecting its purpose of undertaking voyages to foreign lands.
What was the status of the treasure fleet between the years 1422 and 1431?
Answer: Stationed in Nanjing as part of the city's garrison.
Explanation: Between 1422 and 1431, the treasure fleet was stationed in Nanjing, serving as part of the city's garrison, following a temporary suspension of voyages and preceding the final expedition.
The treasure fleet's expeditions were intended to establish Ming territorial control over foreign lands.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary objective of the Ming treasure voyages was not territorial control, but rather to project Chinese power, foster diplomatic relations, and integrate foreign states into the Chinese world order through a tributary system.
The Ming treasure voyages aimed to integrate foreign states into the Chinese world order through military conquest and colonization.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Ming treasure voyages aimed to integrate foreign states into the Chinese world order primarily through diplomacy, trade, and the projection of power, rather than through military conquest and colonization.
The Yongle Emperor ordered the construction of the treasure fleet in 1403 to project Chinese power and influence overseas.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Yongle Emperor's directive in 1403 to construct the treasure fleet was motivated by a policy of militaristic expansionism and a desire to project Chinese power and influence globally.
What was the main objective of the Ming treasure voyages, according to the source?
Answer: To project Chinese power and integrate states into the Chinese world order.
Explanation: The primary objective of the Ming treasure voyages was to project Chinese power and influence, integrating foreign states into the Chinese world order through diplomacy and the tributary system, rather than establishing colonies or solely seeking trade routes.
The primary motivation behind the Ming voyages was:
Answer: Political and economic dominance over maritime networks.
Explanation: The primary motivation behind the Ming voyages was to establish political and economic dominance over maritime networks and ports, rather than territorial expansion or resource extraction.
The Yongle Emperor's initial order to construct the treasure fleet in 1403 was driven by:
Answer: Militaristic expansionism and an expansive overseas policy.
Explanation: The Yongle Emperor's directive in 1403 to construct the treasure fleet was driven by a policy of militaristic expansionism and an expansive overseas agenda aimed at projecting Chinese power and influence.
The Ming treasure voyages primarily explored the Pacific Ocean and reached the coasts of the Americas.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Ming treasure voyages primarily explored the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, extending to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, but did not reach the Pacific Ocean or the Americas.
During the first three voyages (1405-1411), the fleet's reach extended beyond Calicut on India's Malabar Coast.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the first three voyages (1405-1411), the fleet's farthest destination was Calicut on India's Malabar Coast; its reach did not extend beyond this point during that period.
The farthest western destination reached during the fourth voyage was the city of Alexandria in Egypt.
Answer: False
Explanation: The farthest western destination reached during the fourth voyage was Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, not Alexandria in Egypt.
Malacca served as a minor trading post but was not a significant base of operations for the Ming fleet.
Answer: False
Explanation: Malacca served as a crucial commercial hub and a significant base of operations for the Ming fleet, with the Ming court establishing a government depot there.
Which of the following regions was NOT among the primary areas covered by the Ming treasure voyages?
Answer: The Pacific Northwest
Explanation: The Ming treasure voyages primarily navigated the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, reaching as far as East Africa, but did not extend to the Pacific Northwest region.
What was the westernmost point reached by the fleet during the first three voyages (1405-1411)?
Answer: Calicut on India's Malabar Coast
Explanation: The westernmost point consistently reached by the treasure fleet during the first three voyages (1405-1411) was Calicut on India's Malabar Coast.
Which Persian Gulf port was the farthest western destination reached during the fourth voyage?
Answer: Hormuz
Explanation: The farthest western destination reached during the fourth voyage (1412-1413/1414) was Hormuz, a significant port city in the Persian Gulf.
The port of Malacca played a vital role in the voyages primarily as:
Answer: A base of operations and commercial hub.
Explanation: Malacca served as a crucial commercial hub and a vital base of operations for the Ming fleet's expeditions into the Indian Ocean, significantly contributing to its growth as a major port.
During its voyages, the treasure fleet engaged in military actions, including defeating pirate fleets and capturing hostile rulers.
Answer: True
Explanation: The treasure fleet undertook significant military actions, such as defeating the pirate Chen Zuyi and deposing hostile rulers like King Alakeshvara of Ceylon, to secure maritime routes and assert Ming authority.
Chen Zuyi, a significant pirate leader, was defeated by Zheng He's fleet during the return journey of the first voyage in 1407.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the return journey of the first voyage in 1407, Admiral Zheng He's fleet successfully defeated and captured Chen Zuyi, a prominent pirate leader who had been dominating maritime routes.
During the second voyage, the Ming intervened in a Javanese civil war, demanding tribute from the King of West Java.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the second voyage (1407-1409), the Ming fleet intervened in a Javanese civil conflict, demanding gold compensation from the King of West Java for the killing of Chinese envoys, thereby averting further military escalation.
In 1411, the Ming fleet deposed King Alakeshvara of Ceylon and installed his successor, Parakramabahu VI.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the third voyage in 1411, the Ming fleet confronted King Alakeshvara of Ceylon due to his hostile actions, deposed him, and installed Parakramabahu VI, who was more amenable to Ming interests.
During the fifth voyage, the King of Cochin was granted the title 'State Protecting Mountain' by the Ming court.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the fifth voyage (1416-1419), the King of Cochin received significant diplomatic recognition from the Ming court, including the title 'State Protecting Mountain' for a hill in his kingdom.
The Ming intervention in the rivalry between Calicut and Cochin ultimately led to Cochin's permanent dominance over Calicut.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Ming intervention granted protection to Cochin, it did not lead to Cochin's permanent dominance; after the cessation of voyages, Cochin was later invaded by the Zamorin of Calicut.
Which of these military actions was undertaken by the treasure fleet?
Answer: Defeating Chen Zuyi's pirate fleet.
Explanation: Among the military actions undertaken by the treasure fleet was the significant defeat of Chen Zuyi's pirate fleet, which helped secure maritime trade routes.
During the third voyage (1411), the Ming fleet intervened in Ceylon due to:
Answer: King Alakeshvara acting hostilely towards the Chinese.
Explanation: The Ming fleet intervened in Ceylon during the third voyage because King Alakeshvara had acted hostilely towards the Chinese delegation, leading to his deposition.
What was the Ming's primary goal in intervening in the rivalry between Calicut and Cochin?
Answer: To avert military conflict by granting protection to Cochin.
Explanation: The Ming intervened in the Calicut-Cochin rivalry primarily to avert military conflict by granting protection and special status to Cochin, thereby stabilizing regional maritime trade.
Civil officials within the Ming court strongly supported the treasure voyages and advocated for their expansion.
Answer: False
Explanation: Civil officials were generally opposed to the treasure voyages, viewing them as extravagant and wasteful, and their growing influence contributed to the eventual cessation of these expeditions.
The Hongxi Emperor, upon his accession in 1424, immediately ordered the continuation and expansion of the treasure voyages.
Answer: False
Explanation: Upon his accession in 1424, the Hongxi Emperor terminated the undertaking of further treasure voyages, favoring the views of civil officials who opposed them.
High costs, political opposition from civil officials, and Confucian ideology are cited as debated reasons for the cessation of the voyages.
Answer: True
Explanation: Debated reasons for the cessation of the Ming treasure voyages include their considerable costs, opposition from Confucian civil officials, and ideological shifts within the court.
After 1435, civil officials actively worked to dismantle the state-sponsored maritime enterprise through various measures.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following 1435, civil officials implemented measures such as canceling voyages, dissolving offices, and imposing regulations that effectively dismantled the state-sponsored maritime enterprise.
Who were the primary political opponents of the treasure voyages within the Ming court?
Answer: Civil officials
Explanation: Civil officials constituted the primary political opposition to the treasure voyages within the Ming court, often viewing them as fiscally irresponsible and ideologically unsound.
Which emperor is credited with terminating the undertaking of further treasure voyages?
Answer: Hongxi Emperor
Explanation: The Hongxi Emperor, upon his accession in 1424, terminated the undertaking of further treasure voyages, reflecting his opposition to the maritime enterprise.
Which factor is NOT listed as a debated reason for the cessation of the Ming treasure voyages in 1433?
Answer: A shift in focus towards European exploration.
Explanation: Debated reasons for the cessation include high costs, opposition from civil officials, and political rivalries. A shift towards European exploration is not cited as a reason within the provided context.
How did civil officials contribute to the end of the treasure voyages after 1435?
Answer: By canceling voyages, dissolving offices, and implementing restrictive regulations.
Explanation: After 1435, civil officials actively dismantled the maritime enterprise by canceling voyages, dissolving relevant offices, and implementing stringent regulations that discouraged overseas activities.
Why were the official archives concerning the expeditions reportedly destroyed?
Answer: To prevent the repetition of the costly voyages, as deemed wasteful by Liu Daxia.
Explanation: The official archives were reportedly destroyed by Liu Daxia, a Ministry of War official, who considered the voyages wasteful and aimed to prevent their recurrence.
The fifth voyage brought back exotic animals like lions, leopards, and ostriches as tribute to the Ming court.
Answer: True
Explanation: The fifth voyage returned to China with a variety of exotic animals, including lions, leopards, ostriches, zebras, and giraffes, presented as tribute to the Ming court.
Imports like cobalt oxide and black pepper stimulated Chinese industries and made goods more accessible.
Answer: True
Explanation: Imports such as cobalt oxide and black pepper acquired during the voyages stimulated Chinese industries and contributed to the increased accessibility of various goods within China.
The treasure fleet primarily carried Chinese silks and porcelain as return cargo, not as exports.
Answer: False
Explanation: The treasure fleet carried Chinese silks and porcelain as exports, and returned with imports such as spices, sandalwood, and precious stones, not primarily as return cargo.
Which of the following was NOT among the exotic animals brought back to China as tribute during the fifth voyage?
Answer: Tigers
Explanation: The fifth voyage brought back lions, ostriches, zebras, camels, rhinoceroses, antelopes, and giraffes as tribute, but tigers are not explicitly mentioned in the provided accounts.
What commodity, imported via the voyages, helped fuel Chinese industries?
Answer: Cobalt oxide
Explanation: Imports such as cobalt oxide, utilized in porcelain production, and black pepper were brought back via the voyages, stimulating Chinese industries and making goods more accessible.
Besides porcelain and silks, what other types of goods did the fleet bring back from its voyages?
Answer: Spices, sandalwood, and precious stones
Explanation: In addition to porcelain and silks exported by China, the fleet returned with imports such as spices, sandalwood, precious stones, ivory, ebony, camphor, tin, and various dyes and drugs.
The goddess Tianfei, revered as the protector of sailors, was invoked during the departure ceremonies of the treasure fleet.
Answer: True
Explanation: Tianfei, venerated as the goddess of sailors and seafarents, was honored with sacrifices and prayers during the departure ceremonies of the treasure fleet to invoke her protection.
The Ming treasure voyages contributed to early globalization by fostering cross-cultural exchanges and increasing the circulation of goods and ideas.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Ming treasure voyages significantly contributed to early globalization by restructuring maritime networks, fostering cross-cultural exchanges, and facilitating the circulation of goods and ideas across Asia and Africa.
The Galle Trilingual Inscription, dated 1409, only mentioned Buddhist deities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Galle Trilingual Inscription, dated 1409, praised deities from multiple religious traditions, including Buddhism, local Ceylonese beliefs, and Islam, not solely Buddhist deities.
Ma Huan's 'Yingya Shenglan' is considered one of the most important contemporary first-hand accounts of the voyages.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ma Huan's 'Yingya Shenglan', along with works by Fei Xin and Gong Zhen, is recognized as a crucial contemporary first-hand account of the Ming treasure voyages, providing valuable observational data.
In modern China, the legacy of the voyages is invoked to promote national pride and a maritime identity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The legacy of the Ming treasure voyages is frequently invoked in modern China to foster national pride, emphasize a maritime identity, and support narratives of peaceful development.
Popular narratives often highlight the significant militarization of the treasure fleet.
Answer: False
Explanation: Popular narratives frequently overlook the significant militarization of the treasure fleet, tending instead to emphasize the voyages' peaceful aspects.
The primary religious focus for the treasure fleet's crew was the worship of Confucius.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary religious focus for the treasure fleet's crew was the worship of Tianfei, the goddess of sailors and seafarents, not Confucius.
The goddess Tianfei was revered by the fleet's crew primarily as:
Answer: The goddess of sailors and seafarents.
Explanation: The goddess Tianfei was revered by the fleet's crew primarily as the protector of sailors and seafarents, invoked for safe passage during their voyages.
How did the Ming voyages impact regional integration?
Answer: They restructured maritime networks and fostered cross-cultural exchanges.
Explanation: The Ming voyages significantly restructured maritime networks, fostering cross-cultural relationships and exchanges, thereby contributing to regional integration and early globalization.
The Galle Trilingual Inscription demonstrated Ming respect for different faiths by praising deities from which traditions?
Answer: Buddhism, local Ceylonese beliefs, and Islam
Explanation: The Galle Trilingual Inscription praised deities from Buddhism, local Ceylonese beliefs, and Islam, demonstrating the Ming fleet's respect for diverse religious traditions encountered during its voyages.
Which of the following is NOT considered a primary contemporary first-hand account of the Ming treasure voyages?
Answer: Zheng He's Captain's Logbook
Explanation: While Ma Huan's 'Yingya Shenglan', Fei Xin's 'Xingcha Shenglan', and Gong Zhen's 'Xiyang Fanguo Zhi' are considered primary contemporary accounts, 'Zheng He's Captain's Logbook' is not listed as such in the provided source material.
How is the legacy of the Ming treasure voyages invoked in modern China?
Answer: To promote national pride, a maritime identity, and peaceful development.
Explanation: In modern China, the voyages are invoked to promote national pride, a maritime identity, and peaceful development, often contrasting China's historical maritime approach with Western colonialism.
What aspect of the treasure voyages is often overlooked in popular narratives?
Answer: The significant militarization of the fleet.
Explanation: Popular narratives often focus on the peaceful nature of the voyages, overlooking the significant militarization of the fleet which was employed for power projection and advancing Chinese interests.