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World Explorers: Zheng He

4 minutes 34 seconds

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (change)

Commanding a fleet of over 300 ships, it is surprising how little is known today about Chinese explorer Zheng He. Across seven major voyages, he solidified Chinese dominance in trade and exploration. Part of the "World Explorers" series.

Media Details

Runtime: 4 minutes 34 seconds

ASL
Painting of a man with a dark mustache and forked beard wearing a gray turban and red and gold tunic sitting cross-legged. Images of animals on circles form a floating circle around him. Caption. Battuta would travel to even more distant lands.
World Explorers
Episode 1
4 minutes 21 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Dark gray statues of vikings, Erik the Red and Leif Erikson, superimposed over a parchment-colored old-style map of Western Europe, Iceland, and Greenland. Caption. Erik the Red and his son, Leif Erikson.
World Explorers
Episode 2
4 minutes 49 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Illustration of Marco Polo wearing red coat and furry cap holding a sword and bow and arrow. His image is superimposed over a color map with a compass rose and Gothic-style text, enclosed by elaborate patterned border. Caption. Marco Polo returned with amazing tales.
World Explorers
Episode 3
5 minutes 23 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Computer rendering of explorer Zheng He wearing a black bonnet-style hat and red cloak. He is superimposed over a colorful map with Chinese writing. Caption. Assembled the largest fleet of ships ever seen.
World Explorers
Episode 4
4 minutes 34 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Sepia-tone sketch of explorer John Cabot with Shakespeare-era hat and forked white beard. He is superimposed over an old-style map of the globe. Caption. Caboto decided to also try to find a westerly route to Asia.
World Explorers
Episode 5
4 minutes 23 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Painting of a man wearing a dark velvet hat and a red velvet vest over a jacket with puffy sleeves. An old-style map of western Africa is under yellow text on the screen and reads, "Vasco da Gama." Caption. Was the first person to sail from Europe to India.
World Explorers
Episode 6
4 minutes 31 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Painting of Christopher Columbus wearing a triangle hat and a large, dark cloak on the left. He is superimposed over a map of the globe drawn in maroon. Caption. Many Americans honor the feats of Christopher Columbus.
World Explorers
Episode 7
4 minutes 47 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Painting of explorer Amerigo Vespucci holding a large golden drawing compass on a map on a wood table. An illustration of a ship with a dark sky and a compass rose are in the background. Caption. Securing a position as a mapmaker and astronomer.
World Explorers
Episode 8
4 minutes 24 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Sepia-tone sketch of 3 conquistadors in armor carrying a wounded soldier over a dead soldier. 2 wooden gun stocks are on each side of the screen. Caption. Ponce de León was wounded in the battle.
World Explorers
Episode 9
4 minutes 54 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
ASL
Illustration of the islands of the Caribbean. Haiti and the Dominican Republic highlighted. Caption: Cortés lived on the island for six years.
World Explorers
Episode 10
5 minutes 37 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8

Viewer Comments

  • Tiny default profile photo
    christy n. (Fort Pierce, FL)
    May 12th, 2021 at 07:47 AM

    Great video that goes along with my unit!