1. Asians:
- China: The Ming Dynasty ruled China, which was a period of relative stability and prosperity. The Yongle Emperor led several naval expeditions to explore the Indian Ocean and established diplomatic ties with countries in South Asia and Africa.
- India: India was experiencing cultural and political shifts with the rise of the Delhi Sultanate and the Vijayanagara Empire. Muslim rule had become prevalent in Northern India, while Southern India was divided among several regional kingdoms.
- Southeast Asia: Southeast Asia was a region of diverse cultures and kingdoms. Important polities included the Majapahit Empire in Indonesia, the Ayutthaya Kingdom in Thailand, and the Khmer Empire in Cambodia. Trade flourished in the region, with ports such as Malacca acting as important hubs for commerce.
2. Africans:
- North Africa: The Maghreb region of North Africa was dominated by the Hafsid Dynasty and the Ottoman Empire. The slave trade brought many Sub-Saharan Africans to North Africa, where they worked as laborers, soldiers, and domestic servants.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa was home to various powerful empires and kingdoms. Some of the notable states included the Songhai Empire in West Africa, the Kingdom of Benin in West Africa, and the Ethiopian Empire in East Africa. Trade routes linked different regions of Africa, such as the Trans-Saharan trade that connected North and West Africa.
3. Europeans:
- Western Europe: Western Europe was emerging from the Middle Ages and undergoing significant changes. The Renaissance was an intellectual and cultural movement that celebrated classical learning and humanism. The Protestant Reformation challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, leading to religious conflicts and divisions within Europe.
- Eastern Europe: Eastern Europe was facing various political and religious challenges. The Ottoman Empire had expanded into Southeastern Europe, and the Eastern Orthodox Church maintained a strong influence in many Eastern European countries.
Overall, the 15th century was marked by significant geopolitical changes, cultural developments, and interactions between different regions of the world.