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Period: 1394 to 1460
Life of Prince Henry the Navigator
Henry was a Portuguese prince and is known for organizing a big series of expeditions along the African coast, as well as to outward islands like the Azores. He was a big leader for Portugal, as Portugal was one that led the pack of Europe, -
1488
Portuguese round Cape of Good Hope
The Portuguese sailors searched around the Cape of Good Hope in hopes to find India so they could find luxury cloths and spices. They rounded the cape in 1488, but due to the weary sailors the expedition stopped before it could reach India. -
1492
Columbus’s first Expedition
Christopher Columbus was an Italian navigator, and set sail westward to find India because the earth was round. However, he found the Americas instead. He then named the inhabitants Indians. Despite that, he successfully sailed to the New World. He also initiated European discoveries in the Americas. -
Period: 1497 to 1498
Vasco de Gama sails to India
Vasco de Gama led a fleet of four ships and reached India in 1498 with the help of a Hindu pilot picked up in East Africa. When they got there, they faced the hostility of Muslims. When they came back a second time De Gama used guns to intimidate them, and then tortured/killed them. -
1514
Portuguese expedition to Indonesia
The Portuguese had reached the islands of Indonesia, the center of spice production. This is important because this was yet another place/victory that was made by the Portuguese - after reaching India, Brazil, and the African coast. -
1534
First French Explorations in Canada
The French explorers crossed the Atlantic first in 1534, thus reaching Canada. They then claimed it. This was a obviously significant because they were the first people to do it. 17th century - expeditions came from Canada and into the Great Lakes area/Mississippi valley. -
1571
Ottoman fleet defeated in Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto was a battle between the Ottomans and the Spanish. It resulted in a Spanish Victory. This setback meant that the Ottomans could not challenge the Europeans on the larger international routes. However, the Turks were still able to rebuild their fleet. -
Japan begins isolation policy
Japan was able to start a local gun making industry - imitating Europe’s muskets and cannons, thus allowing them to cut off most contact with any world trade. This then led to Japanese peoples being forbidden to travel or trade abroad and the Christian minority being ridiculed. So, from the 17th-19th centuries Japanese entered a phase of almost complete isolation. -
First French colonies in Canada; England gains first trading concession in India
France, Britain and Holland were late coming to Americas, but definitely made a substantial change. They grabbed some great colonial settlements. French explorations were specifically along the St. Lawrence River in Canada which then created small colonies by Quebec. -
Period: to
Seven years War in Europe, India, and North America
This war was fought in continental Europe as well as overseas colonies. It resulted with Prussia seizing land from Austria, and England seizing colonies in India and North America.