-
Jan 30, 1419
Portuguese begin exploring Africa
Portuguese sailors began exploring the coast of Africa in 1419, leveraging the latest developements in navigation, cartography, and maritime technology such as the caravel, in order that they might find a sea route to the source of the lucrative spice trade. -
Jan 30, 1488
Bartholomeu Dias rounds tip of Africa
In 1488 Bartholomeu Dias rounded the tip, called the Cape of Good Hope. The voyage opened sea routes between Europe and Asia. -
Jan 27, 1492
Columbus reaches West Indies
The explorer Christopher Columbus became the first European to arrive at the islands. Christopher called these islands the indies because he thought he had finally reached Asia. -
Jan 27, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas signed.
The Treaty of Tordesillas was agreed upon by the Spanish and the Portuguese to clear up confusion on the newly claimed land in the New World. -
Jan 30, 1497
Vasco da Gama sails across the Indian Ocean to India
Vasco da Gama began exploring the east african coast in 1497. He reached southwestern India in 1498.Vasco da Gama and his crew were amazed at the spices and other resources found in India. -
Jan 30, 1500
Pedro Cabral lands in South America
Sailed from Portugal to S. America in 1500, then continued to India by way of S. Africa. -
Jan 30, 1511
Albuquerque finds Melaka
Albuquerque sailed into Melaka, a thriving spice port, on the Malay Peninsula. Having Melaka would destroy Arab control of the spice trade and provide the Portuguese with a way station on the route to the Moluccas, then known as the Spice Islands. -
Jan 30, 1518
First enslaved Africans taken from Africa to the New World.
The first Spanish ship carried enslaved Africans from Africa to America. -
Jan 27, 1521
Aztecs defeated by the Spanish.
Led by Hernando Cortes, was a landmark victory for the European settlers. -
Jan 27, 1535
Incas defeated by Francisco Pizarro.
-
Jan 30, 1550
Spain rules Mexico.
Spain finally gains control of all of Mexico. -
Sep 25, 1555
Peace of Augsburg
First permanent legal basis for the existence of Lutheranism as well as Catholicism in Germany, promulgated byt the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire assembled earlier that year at Ausburg. -
Dutch sails to India
In 1595 the first Dutch fleet arrives in India, soon they created the East India Company. -
England rules United States.
The first English colony of Jamestown was established. -
French colonize Canada and Louisiana.
Samuel de Champlain founded first permanent French settlement, Quebec. -
England sails to India
Searching for gold and precious goods, an English fleet sails to the N.W coast of India. -
Dutch establish settlements on North America.
Dutch setlements in New Netherland from the Hudson River, North to New York. -
Henry Hudson discovers Hudson Bay
Hudson's forth voyage, abord Discovery (1610-11), was financed by English merchants seeking the Northwest Passage across America to the Far East. He made it as far as Hudson's Bay before mutineers put him and eight others (including his son) adrift on a small boat in the bay in June of 1611. -
English take New Netherland
In 1664, the English seized the colony of New Netherland and renamed it New York. -
English control of Canada.
When England won the 7 years war, they took control of Canada. -
End of English rule in U.S.
The American Revolution ends English rule of the American colonies. -
Slavery abolished in the U.S.
Slavery continued in the U.S. until the Civil War. -
The end of the rule of Spain in Mexico.
The Spanish Civil War ended Spains' control over Mexico. -
Canadian Independence.
The Statute of Westminster officially started the separation of Canada and Britain.
