When discussing the "discovery" of the New World, a few things must be made clear:

1. Native American populations were already living in the New World.

2. There is evidence that Vikings had arrived in North America long before Columbus and his crew bumped into the "New World" on their way to the East.

3. While the term "discovered" is generally not accurate, it should be acknowledged that the voyages of Columbus led to European knowledge of America and opened a way for a new age of exploration and discovery. From the admittedly narrow perspective of Europe at the time, he did "discover" America. To restate the issue: When we discuss discovering the New World in this manner, we assume a European perspective -- which many Americans still do when interpreting history. There are some very understandable reasons for this, foremost being the cultural heritage of many of those who populated the United States during this first 200 years, as well as our current political, economic, and cultural ties to Europe.

Clearly, the study of history provides a wider, global view from which we can see that European nations were not the only active seafarers looking for trade routes. In fact, Chinese explorers were in many ways better equipped to do this work and did so much earlier than their European counterparts. Much of the technology that made European exploration possible in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries had been used by Chinese sailors hundreds of years earlier: European sailors first used axial rudders in the twelfth century; Chinese sailors were using them in the first century. European sailors incorporated multiple masts and sails in the fourteenth century; the Chinese had done so in the second century. Europeans implemented watertight compartments in ship hulls in the eighteenth century; the Chinese used them beginning in the second century. Europeans started using magnetic compasses in the twelfth century; the Chinese were using them in the ninth century. All these technologies are important because they allowed crews to sail farther from land and more easily withstand storms at sea. Before these advances, captains were hesitant to wander too far from the safety of shore. So, in many ways, Chinese explorers were much more technologically prepared to dominate the seas than explorers from Europe.

The third Chinese emperor of the Ming dynasty, Yung-lo (1403–1425), sent Zheng He, his chief envoy, on a mission to “proceed all the way to the ends of the earth to collect tribute from the barbarians beyond the seas.” These expeditions were an effort to make the country more prosperous and powerful, but also to promote trade and collect tribute from neighboring countries. His first expedition included over 300 ships with a crew of more than 28,000 men. His fleet included supply ships to carry horses, troop transports, patrol boats, warships, and tankers to carry fresh water. The largest ship in his fleet was reported to be 400 feet long, with nine masts and crew of over 1,000 men. This is a wonder when we consider the first voyage of Columbus: three ships and a crew of about 90 men—the largest ship being 85 feet long, with three masts and a crew of 40. During his seven expeditions, Zheng He explored the coasts of faraway places, visited many ports, and gained prestige for his accomplishments. Between 1405 and 1433 C.E., he led seven naval expeditions south and west to India, Persia, Arabia, and Africa. Many of these expeditions included several hundred ships and thousands of soldiers.

Zheng He earned great status for his efforts. Indeed, we are still talking about his accomplishments today. In addition, his emperor gained power, wealth, and the admiration of neighboring countries. But what specific role did economics play in these impressive expeditions? How might economic incentives have encouraged these endeavors?

China seemed to be on the road to growth and prosperity, but the incentives suddenly changed. Government power changed hands and policy changes quickly followed, leading to a period of isolationism that lasted for hundreds of years. After 1433, the Chinese government launched no further naval expeditions. In 1436, the emperor forbade the building of ships for overseas voyages. Existing ships were left to rot. Forty years later, the government destroyed the records of the voyages of Zheng He. While Spanish and Portuguese explorers claimed lands of Central and South America, the Chinese withdrew from the seas. Why didn’t China embrace and sustain its technological superiority? What led to China’s isolationism?

Here are several theories:

• The spending of Yung-lo's government greatly exceeded the tax revenue that could be collected. Although the Chinese system of taxation was the most advanced in the world, even the emperor could not continue to fund massive fleets on the scale of those used by Zheng He. The tributes collected by the fleets also clearly fell short of the amounts needed to sustain their operation.

• Mongols began frequent attacks on China’s northern border. These attacks may have forced China to devote more resources to the defense of the border.

• Neo-Confucian scholars held many important government posts. Neo-Confucian philosophy encouraged the suppression of desire for worldly things. Trade and profits were held in contempt. Particularly after Yung-lo’s death, the influence of Neo-Confucian scholars grew.

• Some of the Chinese people at the time were concerned about the influence that foreign goods and ideas had on Chinese culture.

In many ways, the discussion of Zheng He’s role in history and the subsequent turn toward isolation, is similar to concerns in modern American society about the growth of globalization and increasing competition from China. China’s own experience should encourage us to embrace competition, globalization, and exploration.