02.26.15

Pick up History Lab Goal: Worksheet To analyze the historical impact of three great travelers.

Homework: None Ibn Battuta

 A Moroccan lawyer who traveled the Islamic world from Africa to the Middle East, and then to China. Marco Polo

 An Italian explorer who traveled to China and served in the court of Kublai Khan. Zheng He

 A Chinese traveler who sailed across the Indian Ocean to establish good relationships between China and its neighbors. Who had the greatest impact on history?

Marco Polo: Clue 1

It is a common misconception that Marco Polo introduced pasta to Italy—in truth, the dish had already existed in Europe for centuries—but there’s little doubt he made Westerners aware of many Chinese inventions. Among other things, Marco familiarized many of his readers with the concept of paper money, which only caught on in Europe in the years after his return. Polo also described coal—not widely used in Europe until the 18th century—and may even have introduced eyeglasses to the West. Meanwhile, he offered one of the historical record’s most detailed accounts of the Mongol post system, a complex network of checkpoints and couriers that allowed Kublai Kahn to administrate his vast empire.

Marco Polo: Clue 2

 Initially, a number of Marco Polo's stories were not believed by the Europeans of the time. After being imprisoned during an Italian war, Marco Polo told his stories to his cellmate, who later documented Polo's accounts of his travels into a book, later entitled "The Travels of Marco Polo". This book was just as influential in invoking people's curiosity of the East as Marco Polo's return with "treasures". This book was not immediately able to "brainwash" people into exploring the unknown, but over time, it grew on people. It was even influential in Christopher Columbus's trek over the Atlantic. Marco Polo: Clue 3

Meanwhile, he offered one of the historical record’s most detailed accounts of the Mongol post system, a complex network of checkpoints and couriers that allowed Kublai Kahn to administrate his vast empire. Marco Polo brought back with him paper, paper currency, porcelain, raw silk, ivory, jade, spices, and noodles. Among the most significant of these items was paper. With these new items, the Europeans were then able to, hundreds of years later, develop an effective printing press, in which mass prints were able to be produced.

Ibn Battuta: Clue 4

 “I set out alone, having neither fellow-traveler in whose companionship I might find cheer, nor caravan whose party I might join, but swayed by an overmastering impulse within me and a desire long- cherished in my bosom to visit these illustrious sanctuaries. So I braced my resolution to quit all my dear ones, female and male, and forsook (left) my home as birds forsake their nests. My parents being yet in the bonds of life, it weighed sorely upon me to part from them, and both they and I were afflicted with sorrow at this separation.”  from The Travels of Ibn Battutah

Ibn Battuta: Clue 5

 Ibn Battuta’s solitude did not last long, according to his chronicles. The governor of one city gave him alms of gold and woolen cloth, as almsgiving was considered a pillar of Islam. Ibn Battuta stayed at madrasas (places of learning) as he made his way to Tunis (in North Africa). By the time he left Tunis he was serving as a paid judge, a qadi, of a caravan of pilgrims who needed their disputes settled by a well-educated man.

Ibn Battuta: Clue 6

 Ibn Battuta led a complete life while traveling. He studied and prayed; he practiced his legal profession; he had astonishing outdoor adventures; he married at least 10 times and left children growing up all over Afro-Eurasia.

Ibn Battuta: Clue 7

 Ibn Battuta told more about himself. He described the people he met, and the importance of the positions he held. Marco Polo, on the other hand, focused on reporting accurate information about what he observed. We are fortunate to have accounts from two very different travelers from more than 600 years ago because they both offer unique descriptions of what the world was like back then.

Zheng He: Clue 8

 Wang Tianyou, professor of history with Peking University, said, “When Zheng He traveled across the oceans he helped people in other lands improve their lives through religion, road building, and well digging, and he brought about great cultural impact to areas all along the Southeast Asian coast and the east coast of Africa. At the time, the trend was to learn all Chinese things.” Zheng He: Clue 9

 The number and size of the ships of Zheng He’s fleets had far outpaced the fleets led by Columbus and Vasco da Gama dozens of years after Zheng’s last voyage. Zheng He’s fleets were equipped with fore-and-aft sails, stern post rudder, and boats with paddlewheels as well as a compass. Watertight compartments below decks kept the ship from sinking. The Chinese navigation skills reached a high level in terms of geo navigation, astronomical navigation, and weather forecasting.

Zheng He: Clue 10

 Professor Kong Yuanzhi and Yang Kangshou from Peking University found vestiges (remains) of Zheng’s voyages in Southeast Asia through long-time field surveys involving countries bordering the oceans Zheng explored, including a large number of Zheng He’s temples, relics, legends and publications in local languages describing Zheng’s feats, and increasing commemorative events and research institutions in those areas. Local inhabitants believed Zheng He to be the “God of Fortune,” a fabled hero, but have only a slight knowledge of his great achievements in reality.

 For more information, go to...  https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/big- history-project/expansion- interconnection/exploration-interconnection/a/an- age-of-adventure