Africa and the Age of Exploration

By MKMA
  • Period: 1415 to 1460

    Discovery of Africa`s Riches

    Over the period known as the Age of Exploration the Portuguese used Africa as a trade route.
  • Period: 1415 to 1418

    Henry the Navigator Leads Explorations of Africa

    During the 15th century, Henry the Navigator leads many expeditions across the African continent in which is now Libya and Morocco and parts of the Ivory Coast.
  • Period: 1419 to 1419

    Madeira Islands Discovered

    In 1419 the Portuguese discovered the Madeira Islands off the coast of northwest Africa.
  • Period: 1427 to 1427

    Portuguese Explorers Discover the Azores

    Portuguese explorers discover the Azores in 1427. The Azores were very near the Madeira Islands but for some reason were not explored at the same time as the Madeira`s.
  • 1441

    Prince Henry Captures the First Slaves

    Prince Henry Captures the First Slaves
    Henry has the dubious distinction of being a founder of the Atlantic slave trade. He started his hunting expedition in 1441. The two men captured several Africans and brought them back to Portugal. Within a few years, Portugal was deeply involved in the slave trade.
  • 1444

    Senegal River

    Senegal River
    Dinis Dias reaches the mouth of the Senegal River in West Africa.
  • 1446

    Cape Verde and the Gambia River

    Cape Verde and the Gambia River
    The Portuguese land on Cape Verde and the Gambia River
  • 1460

    The Death of the Great Prince Henry The Navigator

    The Death of the Great Prince Henry The Navigator
    Henry died in 1460 in Sagres, Portugal. By the time of his death, Portuguese explorers and traders had advanced as far as the region of modern-day Sierra Leone. He died at the age of 66 from natural causes.
  • Period: 1466 to 1466

    The Portuguese Are Granted a Monopoly on Slave Trade

    In 1466 the Portuguese settlers on the Cape Verde Islands owned the slave trade monopoly.
  • 1483

    Portuguese Establish Their Presence Near the Congo River

    Portuguese Establish Their Presence Near the Congo River
    In 1483 the Portuguese venture farther into Africa, this time settling near the mouth of the Congo River.
  • 1483

    The Caravel is Used to Sail Around the West Coast of Africa

    In 1450 the Portuguese use the caravel for the first time when they sail around the West Coast of Africa.
  • Period: 1483 to 1483

    Portuguese Establish Their Presence in Congo.

    In 1483 the Portuguese moved even farther into Africa, this time settling near the mouth of the Congo River.
  • Mar 12, 1488

    The Cape of Good Hope

    The Cape of Good Hope
    Bartholomeau Dias reaches the Cape of Good Hope
  • 1494

    Treaty of Tordesillas

    The Treaty of Tordesillas officially divides the world, including Africa, in half. The Treaty divided land among countries so they could all explore.
  • Period: 1494 to 1494

    Treaty of Tordesillas

    The Treaty of Tordesillas officially divides the world, including Africa, in half.
  • 1497

    Vasco de Gama

    Vasco de Gama
    Vasco de Gama sails from the coast of Africa to India.
  • Period: 1497 to 1498

    Vasco de Gama

    Vasco de Gama goes from Africa to India in the years from 1497 to 1498.
  • 1500

    Greeks and Romans and Africa

    Greeks and Romans and Africa
    The Greeks and Romans settled in Northern Africa in the being of the 15th Century.
  • 1500

    Trading Posts Established in Mozambique

    Trading Posts Established in Mozambique
    In the 1500s the Portuguese started the trading posts in the Mozambique Territory.
  • Period: 1500 to

    West Coast

    Portuguese probe the West Coast, all throughout the 15th Century.
  • Period: 1500 to

    Ivory Trade

    Portuguese, while in the Coast, establish ivory trade which flourishes.
  • Period: 1503 to 1518

    The First Slaves Are Taken by the Spanish and Portuguese Explorers

    In the years from 1503 to 1518 the first slaves were shipped through the Middle Passage directly from Africa to the Americas. Most of the early slaves were taken from modern day Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
  • Period: 1503 to 1503

    Portuguese Set Up a Trade Post in Africa

    In 1503 the trading post on the island of Zanzibar was established by the Portuguese settlers and explorers.
  • Period: 1503 to 1503

    First Trading Post Founded in Africa

    In 1503 the first trading post was established on the Zanzibar Island by the colonists and explorers.
  • Period: 1519 to 1522

    Ferdinard Magellan

    Magellan leads the exploration and becomes the first to circumnavigate the Earth.

  • Slave Trade

    Slave Trade begins in Africa, using the Middle Passage as transport.
  • Period: to

    Slave Trade Begins in the Americas

    In the 1600s the slave trade started but it really took off in the Americas in 1650 with the rise of plantations. The slave trade did not officially end until 1865 with the end of the Civil War.

  • Association for Promotion of Inside Africa

    Association for Promotion of Inside Africa
    Creation of the Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Inside Parts of Africa.

  • The First U.S. Slave ship to arrive at the Mobile Bay

    The First U.S. Slave ship to arrive at the Mobile Bay
    Clotilde was the last known U.S. slave ship to bring captives from Africa to the United States, arriving at Mobile Bay in autumn 1859

  • The End of the African Exploration

    The End of the African Exploration
    African exploration ends as it is now settled.