Marco Polo's Travels Fuel European Curiosity
Analyze how Marco Polo's travels to Kublai Khan's China and his published book fueled European curiosity and ambitions for Asian trade in Grade 7 history.
Key Concepts
In 1275, an Italian merchant named Marco Polo traveled along safe Mongol trade routes all the way to China. He served the emperor, Kublai Khan , and was amazed by the empire's incredible wealth, advanced technology, and bustling cities.
When Polo returned to Europe, he published a book about his travels. His descriptions of a golden palace and other riches captivated readers. These stories sparked a powerful desire among Europeans to find new sea routes to Asia and gain access to its treasures.
Common Questions
Who was Marco Polo and when did he travel to China?
Marco Polo was an Italian merchant who traveled along safe Mongol trade routes to China in 1275. He served Emperor Kublai Khan for nearly 20 years, witnessing the empire's incredible wealth and technology. His journey was one of the most famous long-distance travels in medieval history.
What did Marco Polo see that surprised him most about China?
Marco Polo was astonished by China's grand palaces, paper money, and the burning of coal for heat—all things completely unknown in 13th-century Europe. He described bustling cities and levels of wealth that seemed unimaginable to his European readers. These observations showed how advanced Chinese civilization was compared to medieval Europe.
How did Marco Polo's book change European thinking?
Marco Polo's published account of his travels captivated European readers with descriptions of Asia's riches and sparked a powerful desire to find sea routes to these treasures. His stories of golden palaces and incredible wealth motivated rulers to fund dangerous ocean voyages. This fascination directly contributed to the beginning of the Age of Exploration.