?Throughout history, many different civilizations have branched out into the world looking for new trade routes, land, and desirable goods that could not be found in their home land. In the mid-15th century China had massive fleets of ships that were several times larger than the average seagoing craft of the day. Chinese admiral Zheng He led these fleets as far as Africa, where he brought back new and fascinating things that the Chinese had never seen before. In 1492, the discovery of the new world by Christopher Columbus caused Spanish conquistadors to leave Spain in search of gold and wealth. The discovery of the new world sparked a global trading system between Europe, Africa, and the Americas that would last for centuries to come.
             I can only imagine what it would have been like to see the massive Chinese treasure fleets floating on the horizon as they approach the shore. It must have been a truly impressive sight to see, and must have been intimidating at first, but upon seeing that these new faces were friendly and wished to trade, I certainly would have been happy to see them. "All the ships of Columbus and da Gama combined, according to a recent account, could have been stored on a single deck of a vessel in the fleet that set sail under Zheng He." (Strayer, p. 575). They would have very little effect on my life aside from increased trading and more wealth that they would provide for my country. Overall I would feel happy about their presence, and the wealth and trade they would bring with them. At the same time, I don't know how I would react to the looming presence that the fleet would have over me.
             The story is a little bit different when it comes to being an Aztec witnessing the events that followed arrival of the Spanish fleets. For an Aztec native to see the towering ships on the horizon it must have been a mixture of emotions. Fear, awe, curiosity, excitement, and confusion would have been my feelings toward thei...