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1341
Portugal 1st to launch exploratory expeditions
They were the 1st out of the 4 to explore and started the expedition movement out in the seas using their boats. -
1412
Portugal- Prince Henry commissions a journey around Africa to Asia
Prince Henry goes on a Journey around Africa’s “Cape of good Hope” to Asia. He hoped to find Christian allies, geographic knowledge, and gold. -
1415
Portugal- The beginning of Portugal as a maritime empire
Portugal was able to create the largest commercial and maritime empire the world had ever seen. It extended from South America to the far East and along the coastlines of Africa and India. -
1480
Spain- Magellan was exposed to stories of Great Portuguese and Spanish rivalry
While at the court Magellan was exposed to stories of the great Portuguese and Spanish rivalry for sea exploration and dominance over the spice trade in the East Indies, especially the Spice Islands. -
1485
Spain- Christoper Columbus explored many countries in search of ships and funds.
He approached Genoese, Venetian, Portuguese, English, and Spanish monarchs, asking for ships and funding to explore this westward route. -
1492
Spain- Christopher Columbus searched for the East Indies.
He was motivated by the desire to find a new route to the East Indies, which were a source of great wealth and trade at the time. Columbus was also motivated by a religious zeal. -
1497
Great Britain- Cabot sailed and discovered Newfoundland
Cabot sailed from Bristol in 1497 and discovered Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island on the North American coast. He was hoping to find a shorter route to Asia, a land believed to be rich in gold, spices and other luxuries. -
1505
Spain- Magellan and his brother were assigned to a Portuguese fleet
Magellan and his brother were assigned to a Portuguese fleet headed for India. Over a time-span of seven years, Magellan participated in several expeditions in India and Africa. -
1508
France- Ponce de Leon exploring and claiming Puerto Rico
On the official expedition to Puerto Rico, he took 50 soldiers and a single ship and founded a settlement at Caparra. What is now San Juan. When he returned, Ponce de Leon was named governor of Puerto Rico -
1534
France- Jacques Carter sailed for the first time
Jacques Carter sailed into the St. Lawrence River for the first time. Commissioned by King Francis I of France to explore the Northern lands in search of gold, spices and a Northern passage to Asia. Carter’s voyages underlay France’s claims to Canada. -
1577
Great Britain- Sir Francis Drake completes circumnavigation around the world
The objective of Drake’s voyage (which was shrouded in secrecy) was to intercept the gold and jewels, which the Spanish were removing from South America -
1579
Great Britain- Sir Francis Drake was halfway through his circumnavigation and sailed out in the Pacific
He turned east seeking the Strait of Anián (a water passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic, known in the reverse direction as the Northwest Passage), or for a place to repair his ships. After reaching land in Oregon, at the Oregon Dunes, near Coos Bay, Drake headed south, seeking a safe harbor. -
Great Britain- defeats Spanish Armand and enters the race for overseas trade.
English fleet defeats the Spanish Armada and establishes the superiority of English ships and seamanship. England is now ready to enter the race for overseas trade and possessions. -
France- Samuel de Champlain explored the Caribbean
He explored the Caribbean in 1601 and the coast of New England in 1603 before traveling farther north. In 1608 he founded Quebec? -
Portugal- Portuguese explorers were at the forefront of European overseas exploration
Led them to reach India, establish multiple trading posts in Asia and Africa, and settle what would become Brazil, creating one of the most powerful empires. -
France- Samuel de Champlain great strides for France exploration
He made numerous Atlantic crossings as he worked to promote New France unlike other imperial powers.