AP World History Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Zheng He was an imperial eunuch and Muslim who played a significant role during the Ming dynasty by leading a series of state voyages that expanded China's maritime and commercial reach. His expeditions, which occurred during the early 15th century, involved large fleets and were aimed at establishing trade relationships, showcasing Chinese power, and collecting tribute from various regions. Zheng He's journeys took him to places such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the eastern coast of Africa, effectively enhancing China's influence during this period. His leadership in these voyages was notable not only for the scale of the expeditions but also for the diplomatic and economic impact they had, which set a precedent for future naval exploration and international relations.

In contrast, the other individuals listed were not associated with the Ming dynasty or conducted state-sponsored voyages of similar magnitude during the same period. Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador known for his conquest of the Aztec Empire. James Cook was a British explorer who made significant contributions to the European understanding of the Pacific region much later in the 18th century. Francis Drake was an English sea captain and privateer of the late 16th century, who undertook voyages of exploration and also circumnavigated the globe,