The Treasure Fleet of the Dragon Throne Critique - Book Report/Review Example

s & number Levathes, Louise. When China Ruled the Seas: The Treasure Fleet of the Dragon Throne, 1405-1433.New York: Oxford Press, 1994. 237pp.U.S$15.95 Louise Levathes sought to provide a chronological story concerning the emergence of China to a level of dominance on the high seas in his book. He indicated that just before the era of Ming dynasty, the Chinese people enjoyed maritime supremacy. At the time, the Yi people, who were mostly farmers, were forced to abandon their traditional occupation to pursue a more lucrative undertaking of sea trade. In addition, the Chinese were economically and politically equipped with the capability of taking over the world although they did not wish to invade any nation. Instead, they used their power to forge peaceful agreements and reconciliation with their neighbors and other societies that supported their sea trade. The book reveals that the Chinese had developed an in-depth knowledge in military, art, commerce, and construction. It was during the time that Confucianism emerged as a result of unity demonstrated by the Chinese amongst themselves. Their greatest wish was to build their nation economically by undertaking fruitful activities while encouraging peaceful co-existence. During the reign of Zheng, between 1405 and 1433, the Chinese decided to expand their scope of operation in a bid to enhance their economic development. They started engaging in sea trade with other nations which had the same ideas. However, unlike the other nations, the Chinese were the only group who could voyage across continents in pursuance of their aim. They were supported by their knowledge of constructing sea vessels that could survive the rough sea waters. For that reason, they managed to do their trading undertakings in most regions of the world including, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Some archaeological evidence also point out that the Chinese had conducted their trade in some parts of the central and South America. With the help of their supremacy in the sea trade, China had enormous potential of influencing other economies of the world. The author included maps with an aim of enhancing clarity of the regional scope of operation of China during that time. The maps clearly indicate the degree of Chinese penetration into countries that were situated at Australia, Africa, and India. The pictures exhibited well decorated illustrations of the Chinese artwork that represented their advancement in the art. Just like they were talented, the author also utilized art to demonstrate their skills in the field. As posited by Levathes (p. 20), China’s tools of trade during the time comprised of locally available materials such as rhinoceros horns and porcelain. Interest of participating in sea trade emanated from the fact that land for cultivation was scarce, and thus, individuals who did not have land for cultivation were encouraged to participate in sea trade as a means of earning a living. Notably, the Chinese sea adventure began long before the European invasion. During the historical period, China had strong and famous leaders such as Zheng, who offered guidance in matters concerning trade with other nations. Throughout the entire period when Zheng reigned, China had massive power that could have enabled them to rule the world. Apart from their superior sea vessels, they also boasted of their strong army and advanced weapons that could have been easily applied in expansion of their territory to other parts of the globe. The strength of the Chinese military was such that the European soldiers exhibited minute power compared to those of the Chinese. Their ships were unique since they had been crafted using superior technology that could enable them identify an enemy from a distance. Through the description of the Chinese might during the Zheng regime, the author likened them to the early forms of civilization in other parts of the world. This is because the Chinese had exhibited a great deal of technological advancement in the field of construction, particularly the sea moving vessels. Additionally, the author sought to reveal that the Chinese had various talents in trade and design as compared to other nations. The Chinese had skills that enabled them to demonstrate excellent skills in exploration, which massively contributed to opening up the trade for the rest of the world. As compared to other nations that participated in exploration during the time, the Chinese surprisingly managed to explore the entire world within a time frame of only thirty years. Levathes (p.20), notes that the first destination of ‘newly launched treasure fleet was Calicut on the West Coast of India’, which was well known for its rare woods and spices. The destination was chose by Zhu Di who had an ambition of improving the lives of Chinese nationals via opening up sea trade with other nations. Many trade commodities from all parts of the world were brought to China with an intention of enriching the economy. Such developmental activities were made possible because the Chinese controlled the Indian Ocean via their mighty army. Their undertaking to control the entire Indian Ocean was not meant to intimidate other nations who wanted to use the waters, but to enhance communication and establish beneficial relationships with them. During that historical period, the Chinese demonstrated that they were peace loving people since they discouraged construction of warships within their territory. The information provided by the author concerning how the sea trade emerged, and the manner in which it was organized is significant because it helps people who wish to study history of sea trade, particularly within the Indian Ocean. Such individuals can obtain information necessary for making comparison between the time of its emergence and other subsequent periods. The author indicated that Confucius religion played a big role conducting sea trade. The author revealed that the Chinese believed that their monarchs were next to their gods, and thus, believers of the Confucius religion did not trade with people considered to be from inferior nationalities. Subscribers of the religion rebelled against leaders who sought to conduct trade with poor people in the international community. There was a time when taxes collected from other nations could not sustain operations of vessels in the sea. Additionally, war broke out between Confucian followers and the king’s servants. It was during this period that sea trade began to collapse, although Ming leader continued to trade with the external world in complete disregard of the Confucian beliefs. The author failed to illuminate clearly on the real circumstances behind the collapse of the sea trade. The events that had taken place in the society during the period were not enough to stop the sea trade that had expanded considerably to all corners of the world. The reasons given by the author are not convincing, and thus, represent a serious flow in the construction of the story. Although the sea trade had been disrupted, the Chinese society under the rule of the Ming leader continued to experience a lot of economic prosperity. However, within a period of one century their military superiority continued to diminish, and in then end, they had been reduced to the level of ordinary nations. Levathes (26) noted that it was during that period that China began to transform. After the Chinese had withdrawn from sea exploration, the Europeans took up the opportunity to invade and conquer most parts of the world. The withdrawal of the Chinese from sea exploration gave the Europeans a leeway to use it for conquering other parts of the world, a plan that China had not opted for despite their political, economic, and military might (Levathes 147). The information that was provided by the author concerning the use of sea exploration by the Europeans to invade other parts of the world can help, in explaining how the Europeans developed their military and economic might, which was applied in later years for colonization. During the time of political turmoil in China, Zheng He, who was a Muslim by origin, had been castrated. Also, Ming leaders came to power after successfully overthrowing Mongol leaders in 1300s. Since Zheng He was loyal to Zhu Di, the Ming leader, he always performed his military operations. Zhu Di was impressed with his record and he decided to expand his operation to the rest of the world. During the time when Zheng He was the military commander in charge of external operations, the Chinese used water vessels to reach other parts of the world in a bid to spread their rules (Levathes 126). In their entire operation, they used superior ships and other advanced machinery, which were used by militants who toured other parts of the world like traders. However, since they used superior ships and other equipment, people from all parts of the world could recognize their superiority. The ships that the Chinese used in their international operations were assembled in a unique manner, with the help of government funding. Such an undertaking caused uproar from other nationals who viewed it as a means through which government funds could be embezzled to perform oppressive tasks. According to Levathes (126), the ships that were constructed for use in the international operations were designed in such a manner that military men could attack and flee for refuge. The mere statement of the design of the ships appeared too shallow. The author should have cited some incidences where the ships were used to demonstrate how effective they were compared to those of other countries. However, the description of the design helps the reader to understand that the Chinese strategies were two fold. One of their core plans was to enrich their local economy by engaging in trading activities with other nations. The second strategy was meant to reduce the risk associated with attacks while on their mission. The strategy helped them to launch a retaliatory attack during times when they were invaded by their foes. Their strategic plans helped in understanding why the ships that were used in trading were designed like war ships. It also helps in understanding why there were no notable instances of conflict. Through such information, the reader can also gain some insight on the emergence of strategic thinking within the Chinese society which is still applied today in conducting business with other nations, and creating a competitive edge that can enable their products to penetrate world market. The participants of international trade within the Chinese society also performed military activities. Their main goal was to establish a fruitful relationship with national and community leaders who were willing to trade with them. Levathes (183) pointed out that the strategy that was applied by the Chinese was to gain favor from other nations of the world with an intension of enriching their local economy through trade. Though the book exhibits some weaknesses, it provides useful information concerning the development of sea trade and how the Chinese people strived to develop economically, politically, and socially with other nations. The underlying aim of the author was to proof that the Chinese were peaceful people who, despite their superiority, did not attempt to conquer but forge a beneficial relationship with other countries. The author succeeded in illuminating on the kind of the people that the Chinese were when they had military superiority as compared to other nations. Read More