Columbus, de Gama, and Zheng He! 15th Century Mariners. Crash Course World History

The video compares the maritime achievements of Christopher Columbus, Zheng He, and Vasco da Gama. It highlights Zheng He's impressive naval expeditions for China, Vasco da Gama's establishment of a Portuguese trading post empire, and Columbus's voyages that led to European colonization of the Americas. Despite Columbus's misconceptions, his journeys had a lasting global impact, unlike Zheng He's and Vasco da Gama's more regionally focused endeavors.

What was the main reason for Columbus's voyages according to the introduction?

• To establish a new colony

• To discover new spices

• To prove the Earth was flat

• To find a new route to Asia

What was unique about Zhang Ha's fleet compared to Columbus's?

• It consisted of over 300 ships

• It was made entirely of wooden rafts

• It was primarily for military conquest

• It was smaller but faster

What was the primary goal of Zhang Ha's voyages?

• To find new spices

• To gain prestige and respect for China

• To establish trade colonies

• To conquer new lands

What was Vasco da Gama's main achievement?

• Establishing a trading post empire

• Discovering America

• Finding the Kingdom of Prester John

• Circumnavigating the globe

How did the Portuguese maintain control over Indian Ocean trade?

• By establishing large colonies

• Through military conquest

• By issuing trading permits called car ties

• By forming alliances with local rulers

What was a common misconception about Columbus's understanding of the world?

• He believed the Earth was flat

• He knew the exact size of the Earth

• He underestimated the size of Africa

• He thought he had reached China

Why is Columbus remembered more than Zhang Ha or Vasco da Gama?

• He discovered the spice islands

• He established the first European colony in Asia

• His voyages had a lasting global impact

• He was the first to sail around the world