Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Global Maritime Expansion Before 1450 The Pacific Ocean Malay Peninsula crossed water>islands of the East Indies, New Guinea, the Melanesian and Polynesian islands, the Marquesas, New Zealand, and other Pacific islands out to Hawaii. 1300, Polynesian culture 2,200 miles of South America. result of planned voyages undertaken to establish colonies. Polynesian mariners navigated by the stars and by their observations of ocean currents and evidence of land. The Indian Ocean Malayo-Indonesians colonized the island of Madagascar in voyages that continued through 15th century. Arab seafarers used regular monsoon winds to establish trade routes in the Indian Ocean. Flourished when the rise of Islam created new markets and new networks of Muslim traders.