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1488
Portugal Reaches the Cape of Good Hope
Bartolomeu Dias found a trade route from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans by going around the Cape of Good Hope. -
1492
Christopher Columbus Reaches America
Spanish exploration began after Christopher Columbus “discovered” the Americas. He lands in the Bahamas King through the sponsorship of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I. -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
Treaty of Tordesillas was a treaty that divided the “new world” between Spain and Portugal. -
1497
John Cabot's First Voyage
Cabot sailed from Bristol in 1497 and discovered Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island on the North American coast. His voyages to North America in 1497 and 1498 helped lay the groundwork for Britain's later claim to Canada. -
1498
Portugal Reaches India
Vasco Da Gama was the first European explorer to reach India, unlocking the trade connections between Europe and South Asia. He did this by rounding Cape of Good Hope, which is the southern tip of Africa -
1500
Portugal Discovers Madagascar
Diogo Dias discovered Madagascar on his expedition to explore the East African Coast. -
1500
Portugal's Accidental Discovery
Pedro Álvares Cabral is sent on a second voyage to India using the same route as Da Gama; however, he accidentally reached Brazil. Then, Brazil quickly became a Portugal colony. -
1511
Portugal sets up base in Malaysia
Albuquerque sailed to Malaysia in a city called Malacca. This city was the centerpoint of trade in Asia, and become Portugal’s strategic base with most of Asia. -
1521
Hernan Cortes vs Aztec Empire
Hernan Cortes attacked and conquered the Aztec Empire, establishing glory for Spain. (1521) -
1534
Second French North America Exploration
The second expedition in North America was led by Jacques Cartier to explore Canada and find the Northwest passage. -
1536
Spain Conquers the Incas
Francisco Pizarro conquers the Incan Empire and captures more glory for Spain. He set up a trap by telling the Incans the emperor has invited them to a feast, and once they got there, Pizarro open fired on them. -
1544
France reaches North America
French exploration began after Francis I sent Giovanni da Verrazzano to North America to find a route to the Pacific Ocean. -
1570
The English Attack Spanish Ships
The English showed little interest in the New World until the reign of Elizabeth I. Wary of confronting powerful Spain directly, Elizabeth secretly supported English seamen who raided Spanish settlements in the Western Hemisphere and captured their treasure ships. -
1577
Drake's Voyage to Brazil
Drake voyaged around the world between 1577 to 1580. The original purpose of the trip was to raid Spanish ships and ports. The expedition left Plymouth in southwest England on 13 December comprised of five ships: the Pelican, Elizabeth, Marigold, Swan, and Christopher, manned by a total of 164 seamen. -
Dutch Exploration of Northern Asia
Willem Barentsz made three voyages in search of a northeast passage towards Asia. He discovered Spitsbergen and Novaya Zemlya, where his ship became trapped in ice and died a week later -
The English East India Company Comes to Fruition
The English East India Company was established by royal charter on December 31, 1600 and operated as a joint-stock trading organization, a state, and earned enormous profits from foreign trade with India, China, Iran, and Indonesia for more than a year. two centuries -
Dutch East India Company
Dutch East India Company was a large multinational (the first one) company that would carry out trade activities in Asia. The companies shares could be bought and sold by any Dutch resident. -
Janszoon reaches Australia
Willem Janszoon was the captain of the Dutch East India Company ship, the Duyfken. Williem was the first European to make contact with and map part of Australia. -
Dutch Exploration of the Hudson Strait, Bay, and River
Henry Hudson explored the North Atlantic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of North America. He also sailed through the Hudson Strait, Bay, and River. -
French Establishes Quebec
Samuel de Champlain sails to Canada and establishes Quebec. He made many trips across the Atlantic Ocean and made Quebec the epicenter of French fur trading. -
Dutch Exploration of East Coast
Adriaen Block explore Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River. He also traveled along the Massachusetts coast, passing the site of Boston. -
The Dutch Disover New Zealand
Abel Tasman was the first European to discover New Zealand. He also discovered Tasmania, now an Australian province. He also confirmed Australia as an island continent. -
The End of English Exploration
The English age of exploration ended in the late 17th century, with the conclusion of the 2nd Anglo-Dutch War in 1674. The English were able to travel around the world, and establish colonies and trading posts in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. -
Columbian Exchange changes Exploration
Spanish exploration of the New world slowly came to an end with the coming of the Columbian Exchange. -
France Claims the Louisiana Territory
La Salle claims Louisiana for France, a large territory in north America. He first sailed from the Great Lakes up the St. Lawrence River, through the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, to the mouth of the Mississippi River. -
French Exploration Ends
French exploration ended in North America after they were defeated by the English in Quebec.
