This question has perplexed me. China had huge population reserves, a huge fleet and army and ample resources. And dont tell me that they wornt expansionist as they sent huge expladtory fleets around the pacific and dominated its smaller neibours. And yet....... it never started a serouse colonial empre. why?
I've read Guns, germs and steel and articals and books by Neil Fergusson and they all give strong arguments and reasons. Competition in europe creating " excess violence" and forcing innovation and exploration. And they had a good stratigic position facing the atlantic. They also argue that China had no need to innovate and focosed on internal matters. But this cannot explain all the details.
China had dominence over the pacific and its fleet could have used its immence size and backing to establish colonies in the pacific ( although i'll stop short of reaching americas.)
Was their simply not the political will to do so? did they fear that colonists would slip out of their influence and break away ( like many europian colonists.)
Please tell me your own personal opinions and Pleaes please add links to back it up!
good luck!
I've read Guns, germs and steel and articals and books by Neil Fergusson and they all give strong arguments and reasons. Competition in europe creating " excess violence" and forcing innovation and exploration. And they had a good stratigic position facing the atlantic. They also argue that China had no need to innovate and focosed on internal matters. But this cannot explain all the details.
China had dominence over the pacific and its fleet could have used its immence size and backing to establish colonies in the pacific ( although i'll stop short of reaching americas.)
Was their simply not the political will to do so? did they fear that colonists would slip out of their influence and break away ( like many europian colonists.)
Please tell me your own personal opinions and Pleaes please add links to back it up!
good luck!