Year 1 - History
The incredible voyages of Zheng He
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 describe some of the voyages of Zheng He.
Key Notes
- Zheng He was a Chinese admiral and explorer and made his final voyage of discovery in 1432, which would be his furthest.
- First stopping at Changle on the Chinese coast, he ordered the inscription of granite stele describing his journeys.
- Zheng He had made six other voyages in the seas of South East Asia and across the Indian Ocean.
- These voyages, made in huge 'treasure ships', were to show off Chinese power and force foreign rulers to pay tribute.
- Having travelled to East Africa, the expedition returned, but without Zheng He, who had died and was buried at sea.
Vocabulary To Learn
- China: China is a country in Asia
- admiral: an admiral is a person in charge of many ships and sailors
- seafarer: a person who often explores new places by sea is a seafarer
- stele: a stele is a large piece of carved rock showing a story or information
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that Zheng He went on his voyages by himself.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
Zheng He was a Chinese admiral and explorer and made his final voyage of discovery in 1432, which would be his furthest. First stopping at Changle on the Chinese coast, he ordered the inscription of granite stele describing his journeys.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'China'
China is a country in Asia.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may think that Zheng He went on his voyages by himself. Correction: He was admiral of the Chinese fleet. He took many ships and lots of sailors on the voyages.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Brunel's race to cross the Atlantic Study Guide
- Chinese innovation in seafaring 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 Vikings and their longboats Study Guide
- Viking navigation and expansion Study Guide
- William Adams' journey to Japan Study Guide
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