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By Edwin

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Table of Contents1. Influences in

Marco Polo’s life 2. Processes and

experiences of Marco’s explorations

3. How Marco’s explorations have changed the world

(en.nkfu.com)

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1. Childhood of Marco Polo

• Born in 1254 in Venice, Italy

• Raised by an extended family

• Marco’s father and uncle were in Asia for much of Marco’s childhood. (Michaelyamashita.com)

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Childhood of Marco Polo (Cont.)

Marco’s Personality• Strong• Loyal• Observant• Eager to please

• INTERESTED IN ADVENTURE AS A CHILD

(hiphoppress.com)

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2. Process & Experience of Marco’s Explorations• Marco Polo’s father and uncle were in

Asia serving Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan (ruler of Central Asia and Europe) and ruler of the Mongol Empire, during Marco’s childhood.

• Marco’s father & uncle were asked to return to Venice and bring back 100 priests and a jug of holy water. Kublai Khan was interested in Christianity.

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Process & Experience of Marco’s Exploration (Cont.)

• Marco’s dad and uncle were only able to bring back two priests and a jug of holy water.

• Marco was brought with them the second time they went to China in 1271.

• They traveled along the Silk Road to reach China. It was a hard journey. They arrived in Shandu, Khan’s summer place in 1275.

(mongolschinaandthesilkroad.blogspot.com)

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Process & Experience of Marco’s Exploration (Cont.)

• The two priests returned to Venice after getting a taste of the hard journey ahead of them.

• While in China, Marco studied the Chinese language: he learned four different dialects of Chinese.

• Marco was promoted the governor of Yangzhou by Kublai Khan.

• Later he was appointed an envoy for Kublai Khan and traveled through many parts of China.

(usnews.com)

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Process & Experience of Marco’s Exploration (Cont.)

So it seems that Kublai Khan favored Marco immensely. Reasons:a) Kublai Khan was interested in

Christianity.b) Marco had a pleasing personality.c) Hardworking — did everything told

to do well

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Process & Experience of Marco’s Exploration (Cont.)

(voiceseducation.org)

• Marco, his dad and his uncle wanted to leave China after 17 years of serving Kublai Khan.

• They would be allowed to leave if they escorted princess Cocachin to her wedding in Persia.

• They returned to Venice with a collection of jewels in 1292.

• Marco died of illness on January 9, 1324.

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3. How Marco Polo’s Explorations Impacted the World

• Marco’s pioneering journey inspired Christopher Columbus and other European explorers

• Marco also had an influence on European cartography, leading to the introduction of the Fra Mauro map that covers Africa, Asia and Europe.

Wikipedia.com

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How Marco Polo’s Explorations Impacted the World (Cont.)• Marco Polo helped the Europeans

know more about China and thus effected East-West relations.

• Marco Polo introduced to the West gunpowder, silk, tea and spices.

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Bibliography

• Marcovitz, Hal. Marco Polo and the Herbert, Janis. Marco Polo for Kids. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2001.

• Wonders of the East. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2000.

• Salariya, David. Marco Polo: A Journey Through China. New York: Franklin Watts, 1997.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Polo. Marco Polo, Jan 16, 2013.

• http://www.biography.com/people/marco-polo-9443861. Marco Polo Biography, January 21, 2013.

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Questions?

Thanks!