Chapter 12 Online Commentary
Chapter 12, "The Worlds of the Fifteenth Century" went into many comparisons between different empires, highlighting their struggles and victories accordingly.
So in keeping with the goal of this journal, one event in time that actually resonated with me was regarding China. It baffles me as to the ingenuity that this empire held to be able to become one of the most influential empires in the world and yet it chose to keep to itself, so to speak. It's like an empire within a bubble, wanting to keep everyone out but functioning just fine on its own. Not being dependent on outside forces. After the devastating consequences suffered from their previous Mongolian rule, China rebuilt their nation and became whole once again.
This event that I am referring to is the implementation of their immense maritime excursions. Under Emperor Yongle's reign and for the next 28 years afterwards, there were hundreds of ships on voyages with thousands of crew members along with many individuals of every trade aboard these vessels. They brought back many commodities from their trade in the Indian Ocean Sea Road. It was impressive, the power and control they possessed. Even so, they did not want to conquer other lands or spread their culture. They just wanted to be.
As prosperous as this Navy was, it came to an end quickly. Once Emperor Yongle passed away, others in command did away with this force. They considered it a waste of money and resources that could be used elsewhere. It is baffling to think that having such a monumental creation in their midst, they just let it dwindle into nothingness, not realizing the possibilities that could have been produced for their future livelihood. The conclusion in this matter is that it wasn't of importance to them for that point in time. They could do without and they did.
So in keeping with the goal of this journal, one event in time that actually resonated with me was regarding China. It baffles me as to the ingenuity that this empire held to be able to become one of the most influential empires in the world and yet it chose to keep to itself, so to speak. It's like an empire within a bubble, wanting to keep everyone out but functioning just fine on its own. Not being dependent on outside forces. After the devastating consequences suffered from their previous Mongolian rule, China rebuilt their nation and became whole once again.
This event that I am referring to is the implementation of their immense maritime excursions. Under Emperor Yongle's reign and for the next 28 years afterwards, there were hundreds of ships on voyages with thousands of crew members along with many individuals of every trade aboard these vessels. They brought back many commodities from their trade in the Indian Ocean Sea Road. It was impressive, the power and control they possessed. Even so, they did not want to conquer other lands or spread their culture. They just wanted to be.
As prosperous as this Navy was, it came to an end quickly. Once Emperor Yongle passed away, others in command did away with this force. They considered it a waste of money and resources that could be used elsewhere. It is baffling to think that having such a monumental creation in their midst, they just let it dwindle into nothingness, not realizing the possibilities that could have been produced for their future livelihood. The conclusion in this matter is that it wasn't of importance to them for that point in time. They could do without and they did.
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