Document 1: Manifesto of Accession as First Ming Emperor, 1372 C. E., (Sent to Byzantine Emperor) The Ming Emperor sent a letter to the Byzantine government of Eastern Europe. Overseas trips by the Ming were often to demand tribute payment in exchange for good relations, or to announce their peaceful intentions.
We were selected by Our people to occupy the Imperial throne of Zhongguo under the dynastic title of 'the Great Ming,' commencing with Our reign styled Hung-wu, of which we now are in the fourth year. We have sent officers to all the foreign kingdoms with this Manifesto except to you, Fu-lin [Byzantium], who, being separated from us by the western sea, have not as yet received the announcement. We now send a native of your country, Nieh-ku-lun [Fra. Nicolaus de Bentra, Archbishop of Peking], to hand you this Manifesto. Although We are not equal in wisdom to our ancient rulers whose virtue was recognized all over the universe, We cannot but let the world know Our intention to maintain peace within the four seas. It is on this ground alone that We have issued this Manifesto.

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Document 2: 15th century Zheng He sailing chart, showing sea depths, shorelines, and directions of travel
These types of maps were used by sailors and merchants to explore and navigate sea routes for travel and trade. Such maps were destroyed by the Ming government following the end of the Zheng He voyages.

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Document 3: Ming Marine Compass
Marine compasses allowed Ming sailors to navigate the open seas using the sun and sky as their guides. This technology, gradually developed by several cultures throughout the classical and medieval era, was also outlawed by the Ming government by the mid-15th century.

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Document 4: Historical Depiction of Tribute Payments under Ming Tributary System
Tributary payments were paid to the Ming government by neighbors who chose to cooperate with Ming demands and avoid tension. This system had been in use in China for centuries dating back to the Han dynasty. Ming travel was often motivated by the search for payment under the tributary system.

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Document 5: Giraffe Brought Back from Somalia, Africa in 1415
Ming travelers such as Zheng He often returned from overseas trips with luxury goods such as giraffes that served as evidence of long-distance contact. Many Chinese had never seen a giraffe when it was brought back from the east coast of Africa.

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