Year 1 - History
Chinese innovation in seafaring
William Adams and Brunel
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit on explorers and seafaring gives students a clear sense of change over time, highlighting technological, economic, and cultural shifts. It covers the sea's role in trade and exploration and explores material culture, craftsmanship, and the influence of seafaring on language and art.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain why the Chinese were such good navigators.
Key Notes
- Zheng He and other Chinese sailors were able to navigate across large distances because of various things they used.
- The Chinese used strong ships called junks with many large sails.
- These ships had a rudder, which allowed the Chinese to steer them without oars, which was easier.
- The Chinese were the first seafarers to use a compass, which made navigation more simple and reliable.
Vocabulary To Learn
- junk: a Chinese ship with sails and a rudder was called a junk
- rudder: a rudder is a flat moveable piece of wood at the back of a boat that can help it change direction
- navigate: to navigate means to find a way from one place to another
- compass: a compass is a tool used for navigating that always points north
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Chinese ships must have had engines.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
Zheng He and other Chinese sailors were able to navigate across large distances because of various things they used. The Chinese used strong ships called junks with many large sails.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'junk'
a Chinese ship with sails and a rudder was called a junk.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Chinese ships must have had engines. Correction: Engines had not been invented yet. Chinese sailing ships relied on the wind and power of the sea to make long journeys.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Brunel's race to cross the Atlantic Study Guide
- Early explorers and their boats Study Guide
- From sail to steam power Study Guide
- How Polynesian explorers travelled and navigated Study Guide
- Life aboard the SS Great Britain Study Guide
- Seafaring 450 years ago Study Guide
- Seafaring in the early Mediterranean world Study Guide
- The incredible voyages of Zheng He Study Guide
- The Vikings and their longboats Study Guide
- Viking navigation and expansion Study Guide
- William Adams' journey to Japan Study Guide
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