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May 29, 1453
The Fall of Constantinople
The Ottoman Empire ends the Byzantine Empire, now all trade coming from Asia via land now must go through even more Muslim tariffs and taxation. This fuels European exploration to find a sea route to Asia. -
1471
Ferando Po sails to the Congo
First European to discover the Congo. -
1487
Bartolomeu Diaz and Pêro da Covilhã finish their expeditions
Bartolomeu Diaz would be the first European Explorer to reach the Southern tip of Africa. Pero da Covilha and his expedition would search the African East Coast, and West India. -
Oct 12, 1492
Columbus discovers the Americas
Columbus, in an attempt to find a westward route to Asia and due to bad math, accidentally stumbles upon the Bahamas, though he didn't know that. -
1496
John Cabot sails to Newfoundland
Alongside his family, he would sail to Newfoundland and lay claim to the area for the British. -
1498
Vasco de Gama sails under Africa
The Portuguese captain was sent out to reach the Indian city of Calicut. He went on a great journey, sailing under Africa, exploring the then unknown East coast, before reaching Asia. -
1499
Amerigo Vespucci explores South America
The Italian explorer would, alongside his crew, explore the northwestern part of South America. His letters about these lands would confirm for many that this was a new world, and as such, name the continent after him. -
1500
Pedro Álvarez Cabral accidentally discovers Brazil
On a journey to sail to India, he would be blown off course, and land in Brazil. He would claim the area for Portugal, then would leave to return to his journey to India. -
1521
Herman Cortez Conquest
Herman Cortez, over the process of 3 years, would bring down the Aztec Empire. He would take advantage of the Aztec Empire's political crisis and use their vassals against them. Herman Cortez claims its land and vassals in the name of the Spanish Empire. -
1521
Ferdinand Magellan successfully circumnavigates the globe
Under the sponsorship of the Spanish, he would attempt to find a Western route to Asia, and in turn, he would circumnavigate the whole world. Though he would be killed in the Philippines, his crew would still manage to return to Spain in one piece. -
1533
Francisco Pizzaro conquers Peru
Over the course of 3 voyages and 8 years, Francisco Pizzaro would bring down the Inca Empire and integrate the territory into a new colony for the Spanish Empire. -
1534
Jacques Cartier First Voyage
In a attempt to discover a western passage to Asia, he would explore Northern Canada over the course of 3 voyages. In his first, he would claim Gaspe Bay for the French, take two Iroquois children, and explores the St. Lawrence river. -
1536
Jacques Cartier 2nd voyage
He continued to explore the St. Lawrence river and claimed some parts of it for France. This would be the first time, Canada would called that, from the misinterpretation of the word "kanata". -
1542
Jacques Cartier final voyage
He would further claim land for the French and was there to search for a mysterious kingdom that held untold riches. However, he would be attacked by the local natives to the point where he would flee back to France. -
1553
Foundation of the Muscovy Company
John Cabot would establish the Muscovy company to search for a northern passage. -
1569
Francis Drake participates in Slavery
Over the course 7 years, Francis Drake would be part of a sea crew that would raid the Spanish and Portuguese slave ships, making extreme profit from them. However on his last journey, he would almost die and would swear off ever participating in the Slave trade ever again. -
1573
Francis Drake attacks the Spanish
In his first major independent voyage, Francis Drake would launch raids on the Ismuth of Panama and planned on stealing Spanish riches. He would succeed in his attacks, and become a English hero. -
1580
Francis Drake circumnavigates the Globe
Starting in 1577, Francis Drake would circumnavigate the globe, raiding the Spanish American western coast, exploring Baja California, and finally arriving back to Plymouth. -
British East India company established
The queen would accept a petition for the formation of the "Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies", and they would own a monopoly on British trade with Asia and China. -
Dutch East India Company establishment
The Dutch Republic faced consistent competition in the West Indies by other countries, and with the establishment of the British East India company, the Dutch decided to create their own trading company. The Dutch East India company owned a monopoly on the spice trade, where prices would drive prices to 14-17 times the price. -
Jamestown established
104 English men and boys would form the first English colony in North America and would name it after King James I. -
The Founding of Quebec
Samuel de Champlain would establish the settlement of Quebec that controlled the narrowing St. Lawrence river Estuary. Though not the first French settlement, it's most likely its most recognizable French colony in America. -
New Netherlands established
Due to a new golden age in the Dutch Republic, they would establish a new colony in the Americas, and would be formed from Fort Nassau, the first Dutch settlement. -
Plymouth established
Pilgrims arrive in Mayflower in 1620 in New England and establish Plymouth. -
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Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts would reinforce the economic policy of Mercantilism of the British Empire. It banned all colonies from trading with ALL other countries and other colonies. -
Treaty of Madrid
The English and Spanish territorial disputes would be settled with this Treaty, weakening Spanish power by forcing them to recognize English territory in the Americas. -
Treaty of Paris
In the Treaty of Paris, French power in India was erased, bringing way to British hegemony in India and British complete control over the subcontinent. In America, French influence would be limited to the Caribbeans while New France would be split up between the British and Spanish. Spain would take Louisiana in the peace treaty, while Britain would take all of New France, push its borders all the way to the Mississippi, and seize Florida.