The Cause and Effects of the Ming's Treasure Fleets to China - Research Paper

Introduction

The Ming's Treasure Fleets comprised of seven marine vessels that made expeditions between 1405 and 1433. Yongle Emperor initiated the construction of the ships in 1403. The ship led to ocean voyages around the world to various territories in the South China Sea as well as areas around the Indian Ocean. They also moved beyond the two regions. The first person in charge of the ships was called Zheng He who commanded the treasure ship for the following expeditions using the other six fleets. The size of the vessels remains a mystery, although some scholars have stated that they could be measuring about 447 feet long by 183 feet wide (Church 1). The ships showed heavy military consideration and were characterized by loads of treasure. The two aspects were used to display the Chinese mighty of power and wealth to the rest of the world. As a result, they channeled back numerous foreign dignitaries sent by their kings or rulers who were expressing interest of becoming a tributary of China leading to expansion of China's activities in their country as well as beyond. Several nations became tributaries of China making it more powerful.

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The China Maritime became a determining factor that shaped various aspects such as trade, politics and geography among other numerous elements. Despite the significance of the vessels, they were eventually destroyed leading to significant impacts on China as well as to other parts of the world that were heavily influenced by the ships and their voyages. Several scholars have tried to explain the reasons behind the destruction; nevertheless, their active period, as well as their destruction, left great impacts. This paper will explore the cause and effects of the Ming's Treasure Fleets to China based on the marks they left during their operational era and when they were destroyed. The paper will also explore speculations by various scholars on what could have been the situation if the ships were not destroyed but instead left to continue operating.

Maritime Policies

The vessels were mainly meant for diplomacy, military and commercial purposes (Finlay, 330-331). Just like any other ruler who led China, Yong Le Emperor who commissioned the first vessel, incorporated foreign leaders and their subjects in a system that involved tributary and hierarchical aspects revolving around the Ming Court. The court was used to gain control of the maritime trade and compel the foreign nations into China's tributary system. For the first time, the court developed special policies to handle the oversea tributes. All oversee countries that were willing to trade with China were forced to pay tribute to the court. This aspect forced the incoming nations to accept the conservative way of China's politics. The cargo from the tributaries was supposed to be accompanied by some dignitaries who were sent to the capital after delivery. They were entertained and heavily awarded. If the foreigners had extra goods, they were sold to the government or the citizens when there was no other option. The foreigners, in turn, purchased products from China to take back to their nation.

Zheng did not see beyond 1433. Scholars have cited various reasons as to why the operations were stopped. The reasons seem to be connected to the change in foreign policies. L. Young Le died in 1924, and various changes were made in his way of governance. According to Wade (52), huge expenses and lack of economic power could be the main reasons behind halting of the voyages. Since the ships were established with the aim of enhancing trade between China and other nations, a factor that seemed to lack economic advantage could be enough to stop the activities and focus on other financial viable interventions. Wade assumption hold some weight given that at this time during the mid 15th Century China was not the only nation experiencing economic problems. An economic depression hit other nations that were known to be economically powerful such as the Middle East, Europe and other Asian regions. The problems are thought to have lasted to a time between 1460 and 1490 although the exact time is not precisely known (Atwell 83).

Trading between several nations can be adversely affected by an economic recess. In addition to effects on the local trade, international trades are also affected. During this recess, China was concentrating on international business with the aid of the vessels. It is at this time the courtiers found it wise to amend the policies and re-constitute the tribute mission (Wade 52). These factors continued into the Ching Dynasty. The economic decline was directly connected to the sharp reduction in many trade commodities especially the minerals. There were a sharp reduction and distribution of valuable metals, especially on silver and iron. Besides, abrupt changes in the global weather pattern affecting many parts of the world. Researchers quote the two factors as the primary influencers that influenced the early Ming China including the effects on the Ming's treasure fleets. Iron was a great economic factor because it was used in the production of agriculture products that subsequently formed a trade commodity to be transported through the sea by the treasure fleets. Agriculture products were also used in the ships to sustain the thousands of people who spent many days in the voyage. Silver was the main metal used to form the Chinese currency making it a symbol of trade used in the vessels for trading. Weather patterns were a major factor since ideal weather was a major determinant for the route to be taken by the ships. This led to various routes taken at different times leading to seasonal travels dependent on the monsoons. Ideal weather meant safe sea travel. Most civil servants who were against the fleets described them as an unnecessary waste of resources manifested by adventures that were led by eunuchs (Wade 51).

Regardless of the reasons behind the ending of Ming's treasure fleets, evidence shows that even before Yong Le died in 1424, problems with the flourish adventures existed. The emperors were afraid of the rising powers of the eunuchs. Zheng He has been cited as the most powerful leader during the Ming's treasure fleets era and did everything to destroy the fleets that appeared as a threat to his powers. The vessels were getting credit from within China as well as outside China, and the credit was connected to the eunuchs but not solely to Zheng He. He was not the only beneficiary of the trade from the fleets. The people operating the vessels were getting more riches arising from the trade (Edwards). They were also establishing international relations overseas and appeared as a factor that could establish tributes of their own. Money is normally connected to a gain of power and can be used to command a great influence from other people. Despite most scholars agreeing that economic problems were the main reasons why the ship's operations were halted, some have disagreed by stating that the ships were economically viable (Ray 165-167). Despite the assumptions that the Zheng He was the greatest leader during the treasure ship era, some scholars think that he left a little legacy and much is about the ships and not his name. Folch states that Zheng He name has failed to get a place among the most remembered people in the history of China (Folch 1). The reason behind the assumption is probably because he is seen as a person who failed to propel China to greater heights despite having the potential.

According to Ray, the eunuchs were accused of interfering with the state affairs. Some of the decisions they made led to inappropriate repercussions such as wars. Some of their actions came into light long after the fleets were destroyed. Such aspects included the hostility leading to a destruction of documents related to the ship built by Wang Zhen in 1449. Hostility and killings of critics of the fleets by the eunuchs were also discovered much later and hence cannot be connected to the termination (Ray 165). The ships connected China with various parts of the world ranging from Africa, Europe, and India as well as to other parts of the world where the ships frequented. At this time, the connection of people from different regions had just started, and the occurrence of the fleets appeared as a determining factor of the future trends; however, it fell short but left some marks (Yi 16). Other scholars have agreed that the fleets set the base for globalization by enhancing network connection between various nations (Taguchi 5-6).

The Military

Before the arrival of the voyages, the China Sea activities were characterized by a state of confusions. Some regions such as the Palembang and Guangzhou were known for illicit trade that included slave trade. Other areas such as the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia were chaotic since their primary income source from the Chinese commerce was hindered under Hongwu rule. The Chinese coasts were frequently attacked by the Japanese Wokou who originated from Japan. When the treasure fleet arrived, they were accompanied by a heavy presence of the military. The primary role of the military was to protect the commodities carried in the ship. They ensured that the route to be taken by the ship was clear to eliminate the possibility of getting robbed. As a result, China established a heavy presence of military along with their seas especially in Southern areas as well as far in places such as in India. Although most scholars have agreed that the vessels were the primary determinant factor making the military as state of the art especially on the fights that involved sea, some scholars have disagreed by stating that China marine art had matured a long time ago. Deng (233) noted that the vessels only incorporated few things to already existing technology; however, some scholars have refuted these claims by stating that the ships incorporated a technology that was not available to other nations at the time. Dwinnells (127) reports that the ships were capable of eliminating an entire country or even a continent. In addition to size, the technology enabled the military to operate with ease and view potential enemies while at many miles away.

Despite the fact that the vessels under the command of Zheng He sailed great distances with powerful military cottage that was not comparable to any other nation at the time, there are no historical documented cases of China trying to use its military prowess to acquire political power or control trade through forceful interventions, but instead, they worked to explore and promote business using the sea as the primary form of communication and transportation of goods and culture among other aspects (Sen 600). Nevertheless, there must have been a moment of shock as the ship approached the coastline of the foreign nation owing to the big sizes of the ship.

Although the fleet was not primarily involved in fights for territory for political gain, they were involved in several wars. They were engaged in a fight where there overpowered Chen Zuyi's pirate fleet that mainly operated from Palembang region. They also fought and overcame Alakeshvara's and Sekandar's forces that operated from Ceylon and Semudera areas respectively. The primary focus of these fights was to secure and maintain the security of the sea route from China to their trade destination; however, they served to remind the rest of the nation on the military power of China and what they were capable of doing. After the destruction of the vessels, scholars were left speculating what could have happened if China decided to use the military power to extend its political base. There are also speculations on the role the treasure ship could have in subsequent world conflicts. It is assumed that the vessel could have significantly assisted china to g...