China played a leading role in connecting the cultures across North and East Africa and Eurasia because of its superior culture, technology, and luxury goods. They established the Silk Road across central Eurasia and played a prominent role in the maritime trade across the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. The 7 voyages of Admiral Zheng He, each of them consisting of hundreds of large ships, culminated the display of Chinese superiority. But China ended the voyages and pulled within itself as European countries began to explore the Atlantic trying to get to China. The four voyages of Columbus failed to reach China or the Indian Ocean and unintentionally opened transportation and trade with continents and islands beyond the scope of Chinese or Eurasian knowledge and led to European dominance that modern China is now trying to reverse.

This course will introduce students to the early history behind competition between China and the West today by explaining the shift in world outlook when Zheng He's voyages in the Indian Ocean were outstripped in importance by Columbus' voyages in the Atlantic. The following 5 questions will be answered: (1) How was China culturally superior when world knowledge was limited to cultures in Eurasia that centered around the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Silk Road? (2) How did China use its superiority in the voyages of Admiral Zheng He? (3) How did European countries on the Atlantic try to compete with China? (4) How were the voyages of Columbus different from Zheng He? (5) How did Columbus' voyages set off a new direction in world history?

Content of the course will be presented in a slide show that will be given to students after the course. The purpose is to provide information, stimulate thought and interest, and provide links to encourage further study of the topic after the class. Using a slide show also makes it easy to respond to student questions and interests without denying them the full content of the class.