5. Zheng He's Legacy

Historically China has been a very secluded state, often using the majority of their manpower to keep invaders from entering the empire. The Chinese even built a 13,170 mile long wall to stop the Mongols and other nomadic tribes from entering. However, Zheng He's voyages brought the Chinese culture to the peak of its sociability. It connected China to the Eastern world more than it had ever done so before. When the Persian and Abbasid empires saw these ships enter their harbor, it sent out a powerful message that "this is a strong nation." But what's also interesting is that, while China influenced Africa and the Middle East, Africa and the Middle East also influenced China. They adopted Arabian sails, and the royal palace became inhabited with exotic creatures like zebras and elephants.

Zheng He's voyages also marked a milestone for nautical achievement. The sheer amount of money, scholastacism, and labor focused on sailing made this the greatest series of naval voyages before Columbus. With the use of new sails and double hulls, they traveled farther in the Indian Ocean than any other commercial ships had done before.

Finally, Zheng He's voyage marked the prime of Chinese civilization. Their subsequent seclusion ultimately gave way for Europeans to become the greatest naval power on the planet. But despite that, China used technologies that Europe wouldn't see for another milennia.