Exploration has been a major concern for many nations since the beginning of the 15th century. China and Europe were both on the same mission: expanding overseas. China’s growth ended before Europe did, but the similarities and differences were numerous. Both countries sought to gain more land and expand their control. China and Europe both wanted the resources to build the largest society possible. China’s growth lasted between the 14th and 15th centuries, with Europe’s beginning in the 1440s.
China’s expansion overseas was far shorter than Europe due to the government’s poor management, which caused isolation in China. In contrast, Europe’s government grew their society throughout the 15th-century to create the strongest nation possible. China’s inability to motivate itself and poor leadership decisions, as well as Europe’s greed and competitiveness to expand their empire were the factors that caused Europe and China to have similar expansion efforts but different results.
Chinese shipbuilding was world-renowned before 1434. Chinese ships are safer, bigger and more sophisticated than European ones. The Chinese Navy made several trips to the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. They also went as far as East Africa. The purpose of this expedition for the emperor was not to conquest or colonize other countries, but instead to receive gifts and recognition from them. These trips were a time of exchange and kings came to appreciate the Chinese Government more. The travelers were ready to use force if anyone refused to obey them.
Zheng He influenced Chinese exploration in the 14th-century by leading seven of the largest ships on the planet to the lands surrounding the Indian Ocean. His shipbuilding skills and navigation helped China to rule the oceans for the rest of the 15th century.
Zheng He’s died at sea in 1431, during his seventh voyage. He was then buried on the coasts India. The Chinese Emperor suddenly halted these costly expeditions after Zheng’s last voyage. The Mongols began to threaten the Chinese in the north, and the emperors and ministers decided that the resources should be focused on the land defenses. The Chinese Navy ceased to exist, leaving ships in harbors to rot, allowing the craftmen’s knowledge to disappear. China ignored trade with other nations besides The Netherlands, leading to an isolation within the nation. The Chinese economy suffered and the country’s goal of expansion to the world was ruined.
Europeans found themselves at the geographic center of the globe after the Chinese Navy Rain ended. They had expanded into the Atlantic Ocean. The Portuguese explored the Atlantic Ocean and the African coast in the 1440s. The Europeans sought the fastest route for trading to Asia. Christopher Columbus made the discovery of America in 1492. It created a brand new zone that allowed for communication and contact between four continents. In the 15th century, this was the beginning of Europe’s expansion into the world. Europe was able to trade with other countries because of the many valuable spices they had. Portuguese explorations were instrumental in gaining more power and land. The Spanish claimed much of the Western Hemisphere following Columbus’s voyages. Europeans were in control of Americas.
China and Europe shared a common goal to achieve global expansion. Both countries wanted more land. China’s power began to wane after Zheng’s death. China was not motivated to keep exploring. China’s goal was to avoid risk and play it safe. China’s goal and idea were similar to those of Europe, but the outcome was different. Europes rulers, on the contrary, continued to grow their land and power over hundreds of years. Europeans are very competitive, and they want to be the biggest and most powerful. Europe’s outcome differed from Chinas. Europe was determined to succeed and ultimately controlled most of the Western Hemisphere.
