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1500
Portuguese colonization
The effects of cultural expansion are evident in that the major language of Brazil is Portuguese. Other aspects of Portuguese culture fused with that of the native Brazilians to form a unique culture. -
1501
The Spanish arrived at their Santo Domingo colony with the first African Slaves to set foot in the Americas.
With mercantilism as a viable economic expenditure, the Spanish were hoping to use the Atlantic Slave Trade as a means to import labor that would aid in the export of raw materials to Spain. This event also led to an uprising among the slaves, with the political hierarchy of the colony put on full display as the revolt was put out and the Spanish came out on top. -
1517
95 Theses
In 1517, reviled by actions of the church, Martin Luther posted his historical 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg church in Germany. Although this event marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, which was mostly religious, the resulting events would also alter the political structure of Europe, with Luther garnering favor from German princes but ensuing the wrath of the Roman Catholic Church. -
1524
Giovanni de Verrazzano explores the coast of New England and New York Bay
In 1524, Italian explorer, Giovanni de Verrazzano, under the command and patronage of the French, began to explore what would soon be the coast of New England and New York Bay. -
1534
Jacques Cartier explored and claimed northern North America for France
French mariner Jacques Cartier was the first European to navigate the St. Lawrence River, and his explorations of the river and the Atlantic coast of Canada, on three expeditions from 1534 to 1542, laid the basis for later French claims to North America. Cartier is also credited with naming Canada. -
1535
Head of England Church vs Rome
In 1535, King Henry VIII of England declared himself head of the Church of England, falling from the good graces of the Pope. There was turmoil as some denounced Henry’s claim and were executed (Sir Thomas More). This event also led to another crack in the Christian schism, adding to the tensions of the Protestant Reformation. This would later fuel the rivalry between religiously different European nations during the “fight” for the New World. -
1580
Knighting of Drake
On September 26, 1580, Francis Drake returned to England after “exploring the globe”, finding treasure, and “discovering” Plymouth. For his work, Queen Elizabeth I granted him the title of knight. This event somewhat marked the beginning of England’s fashion of mercantilism. The riches from the New World were traded in with whatever England could manufacture it into and the profits ultimately stayed with England. -
East India Company
One of the biggest, most dominant corporations that could be compared to the likes of Apple or Google, the East India Company acted as a part-trade organization. This part-nation-state reaped vast profits from overseas trade for over two centuries. -
Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company was a major trade corporation that conducted trade with thousands of ships and came to rule over much of Indonesia, both directly and indirectly. It prospered through most of the 17th century as the instrument of the powerful Dutch commercial empire in present-day Indonesia. -
Founding of Capetown
Cape Town was founded in 1652 by Dutch colonial administrator Jan van Riebeeck– thus opening Southern Africa for white settlement. -
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson’s Bay Company, chartered May 2, 1670, is the oldest incorporated joint-stock merchandising company in the English-speaking world. It was made up of French explorers who opened the lucrative North American fur trade to London merchants. -
Royal African Company
The Royal African Company was formed with a monopoly on British trade with West Africa, including gold, silver, and slaves. The company transported an average of 5,000 slaves per year, most of which were shipped to colonies in the Caribbean and Virginia. -
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James Cook
English explorer James Cook was the first to cross the Antarctic Circle, reaching 71° 10’ S, thus finally disproving the existence of Terra Australis Incognita (unknown Southern land). He also discovered New Caledonia and the South Sandwich Islands. -
Jean Baptiste de La Vérendrye discovers Lake Winnipeg
Jean Baptiste de La Vérendrye, the eldest of Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye's four sons, discovers Lake Winnipeg. -
Discovery of Alaska
A Russian expedition led by Vitus Bering, along with George Steller, made the first "discovery" of Alaska, landing near what today is Kayak Island. -
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Matthew Flinders
Explorer Matthew Flinders was the first man to circumnavigate Australia and popularised the name 'Australia' in his book, Voyage to Terra Australis. -
John Fern discovers nauru
In 1798, British sea captain John FEARN became the first European to spot the island of Nauru. By 1830, European whalers used Nauru as a supply stop, trading firearms for food. In 1878, a civil war erupted on the island, reducing the population by more than a third. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The United States purchased 530,000,000 acres of territory in North America from France for $15 million. The Purchase doubled the size of the United States. -
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Lewis & Clark Expedition
In 1805, Meriwether Lewis & William Clark led an expedition--- more famously known as the Lewis & Clark Expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest. The expedition was a turning chapter in the history of American exploration. -
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David Livingstone
David Livingstone was the first European to traverse Africa from East to West. He was also the first European to discover the Zambesi River, the Victoria Falls, and several major central African lakes. His publications about these explorations and the slave trade brought him great fame. -
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Robert E. Peary
A U.S. Arctic explorer who is usually credited with leading the first expedition to reach the North Pole. He also discovered and named Independent Bay and Peary Island. -
James Grant discovers the source of the Nile River
With John Hanning Speke, Grant found the source of the Nile River to be Rippon Falls on Lake Victoria. Grant also served as a soldier in the British Army in India during the Sikh Wars (1849) and the Indian Mutiny.