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1488
Bartolomeu Dias
Bartolomeu Dias proved that a sea trading route from Europe to Asia was possible. Additionally, he was the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa. -
1492
Start of Spanish Exploration
Spanish exploration began in the late 15th century as Christopher Columbus' first voyage explored the Caribbean and eventually larger parts of the Americas. The Spanish exploration would also lead to the exchange of goods between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (Americas). -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas established that from the newly discovered land that Spain and Portugal found; Spain got most of the Americas, while Portugal got Brazil and territories in Africa and Asia. -
1498
Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama was the first European to find an ocean trading route to India. He accomplished this two years after he set sail in Lisbon. His discovery of this sea route helped the Portuguese establish a long-lasting colonial empire in Asia and Africa. -
1498
John Cabot
John Cabot returned to England after his first voyage, and he was granted another commission to explore further. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his death, Cabot’s legacy as one of the early European explorers to reach North America continued to influence English maritime history. -
1500
Pedro Álvares Cabral
Pedro Álvares Cabral's discovery of Brazil marked the beginning of Portuguese colonization in the region. Brazil provided Portugal with a vast new territory rich in natural resources. Brazil would end up as a key economic pillar for the Portuguese. -
1500
Columbus' Final Voyage Ends
Christopher Columbus completed his fourth and final voyage to the New World in 1504, returning to Spain in poor health and failing to find a passage to Asia. -
Period: 1500 to
Portuguese Influence
The Portuguese explorers led European overseas exploration, which led them to reach India, establish multiple trading posts in Asia and Africa, and settle what would become Brazil. -
1513
Juan Ponce de León
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, one of Columbus’ contemporaries, made the first recorded European landing on what is now the U.S. mainland. He named the area "Florida" and claimed it for Spain. This began Spain's exploration of the southeastern United States and laid the groundwork for later Spanish missions. -
1521
Hernán Cortés
Spanish conquistadores commanded by Hernán Cortés allied with local tribes to conquer the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlán. -
1524
Giovanni da Verrazzano
Giovanni da Verrazzano went on a voyage to the North American continent, and explored the coast from Florida to Newfoundland. Verrazzano recorded details unknown to European mapmakers. With his discoveries, he helped future explorers by shaping the construction of maps. -
1534
Jacques Cartier
Jacques Cartier made three voyages to Canada. Additionally, Cartier was the first European to navigate the St Lawrence River. -
1577
The Circumnavigation of the World
Sir Francis Drake set out on one of the most famous voyages in history. His fleet sailed through the treacherous Strait of Magellan, capturing Spanish ships along the way. He also claimed part of present-day California for England, naming it "New Albion." After years of travel and battles at sea, he completed his circumnavigation of the globe, returning to England in 1580 with enormous wealth. -
Sir Francis Drake's Raid on Cadiz
Drake's attack had certainly delayed the sailing of the Armada, and his destruction of supplies for it also contributed to its defeat. Nevertheless, it did reach the shores of England in good order, and hard fighting was also necessary to ensure victory over it. -
Spanish Armada
England’s victory over Spain’s navy during the Spanish Armada marked the decline of Spanish dominance and a significant shift in naval power. England played a crucial role in expanding global trade, establishing colonies, and challenging Spanish and Portuguese dominance. -
The East India Company
After being established by royal charter, the English East India Company operated as a hybrid nation-state and trading organization for more than 200 years, making enormous profits from commerce with China, India, Persia, and Indonesia. -
Period: to
The Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company called the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC in Dutch, was a company whose main purpose was trade, exploration, and colonization. This heavily impacted global commerce and colonialism in the Age Of Exploration. -
Jamestown
Jamestown, the first permanent English colony, is founded by 104 English settlers in Virginia. Jamestown laid the foundation for future government structures and customs. -
Discovery of the Hudson River
The Dutch discovered the Hudson River, opening up trade and settlement opportunities. Ultimately, this leads to multiple claims in America by the Dutch and the establishment of New Amsterdam. -
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson’s crew set sail on the Discovery, a ship, to find a northern passage to Asia. Although it wasn't successful, this contributed significantly to our understanding of North America's geography, especially its northeastern waterways. -
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, completed his journey down the Mississippi River, claiming the vast territory of Louisiana for France. This expansive claim, which included much of the central United States, significantly increased French influence in North America and set the stage for French settlement and conflicts with Spanish and English colonists.