Notes if needed

Settlement Colony:

The settlement colonies were Europeans from 1559 and onward who came to the Americas and Canada. The Colonists traveled to the New World for greater wealth and or legal status and in some cases be free from religious prosecution. Many of the early colonies were failures and many people died because of ignorance of local agriculture and conflicts with the natives. But later the Colonists discovered crops that would bring in a good revenue (tobacco) and brought more colonists to help fight off the natives.

Simon Bolivar:

Simon Bolivar (July 24, 1783-December 17, 1830) was a military and political leader in Venezuela  who played a main role in Hispanic Americas successful  struggle for independence from the Spanish empire. In his life he led Bolivia, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela to independence, and helped lay the foundations for democratic ideology in Hispanic America.  

Tokugawa Shogunate:

In 1603 was the end of the Japanese civil war and Tokugawa Leyasu became Shogun (military style prime minister). He hardened class barriers so only certain families that were seen to be legitimate samurai could retain arms and privileges.  The Shogunate also persecuted Japanese Christians and made them renounce their religion or die. He Kicked out Catholic Missionaries and only had contact with the Dutch to stay knowledgeable of the outside world. (See Last Samurai for historically inaccurate but still cool action scenes)

Trading Post Empire:

Europeans built trading posts in the 13-15 centuries along the coasts of Africa and Asia for you guessed it, trade. They were small forts to protect the merchant’s interests and I’m sure to make nice with the locals so they would want to trade. Some of the effects of the trade were the Portuguese set up a trading post on Africa for slaves. Christopher Columbus also approached the Spanish with a faster route to trade with “India”.  So taking after the Portuguese’s example  other European countries set up trading posts   but it was the English and the Dutch who managed to rival or surpass the Portuguese.

Zheng He:

Zheng was the second son of a Muslim family, born in 1371 in Kunyang.  When he was 11 he was captured by Ming Muslim troops and made a eunuch (ouch) and his name was changed to ‘San Bao’ meaning  ‘Three Jewels’ (Really don’t want to know).  He became a trusted advisor to the Yongle Emperor and was given the name Zheng He. (important part*)Zheng He was admiral over seven naval expeditions in the Indian ocean(1405-1433) in ridiculously huge ships made to impress and intimidate  expanding trade and getting tribute.