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Period: Jan 1, 1341 to
age of exploration
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1488
Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope
Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, opening the sea route to Asia. -
1492
Columbus Lands in the Caribbean
Christopher Columbus, under the sponsorship of Spain, landed in the Caribbean. -
1497
Vasco da Gama’s Voyage to India
Vasco da Gama successfully reached India by sea, establishing a direct trade route to Asia and securing Portugal's spice trade. -
1497
John Cabot’s Voyage
John Cabot, an Italian explorer sailing for England, made the first English claim in North America by reaching Newfoundland. -
1500
Pedro Álvares Cabral Discovers Brazil
On his way to India, Cabral landed on the coast of Brazil, claiming it for Portugal and marking the beginning of Portuguese colonization in the New World. -
1519
Ferdinand Magellan’s Circumnavigation
Magellan, wasa Spanish-employed, but he was Portuguese. His expedition was the first to circumnavigate the globe, proving the world’s roundness and opening new global routes. -
1519
Conquest of the Aztec Empire
Hernán Cortés led a Spanish expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico -
1532
Conquest of the Inca Empire
Francisco Pizarro, another Spanish conquistador, defeated the Inca Empire in Peru -
1534
Jacques Cartier Explores Canada
Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River, claiming parts of present-day Canada for France. -
1565
Founding of St. Augustin
Spain established St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement. -
Establishment of Roanoke Colony
Sir Walter Raleigh established the Roanoke Colony, which became known as the "Lost Colony" after it mysteriously disappeared. -
Defeat of the Spanish Armada
England, under Queen Elizabeth I, successfully won against the Spanish -
Founding of Jamestown
The English established Jamestown in Virginia, marking the first permanent English colony in North America. -
Founding of Quebec City
Samuel de Champlain established Quebec City as the capital of New France, solidifying French presence in North America. -
Exploration of the Mississippi River
Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet explored the Mississippi River, expanding French territorial claims in North America. -
La Salle Claims Louisiana
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, claimed the Mississippi River basin for France, naming it Louisiana.