European Explorations of the East

Expeditions to the Indian Ocean

Sep 15, 1405

Zheng He explored the Indian ocean and Western South Pacific for Emperor Chu Ti from 1405-1433. He lead 7 voyages.

Coastline of Africa

Sep 15, 1424

Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal sponsors 15 voyages exploring the coast line of Africa.

Printing Press

Sep 15, 1450

The invention of the printing press made it easier for maps to be made. This allowed explorers to have an easier way to voyage the ocean.

Henry the Navigator Opens a Public School

Sep 15, 1450

Henry the Navigator opens a school to teach explorers about navigation, astronomy, and cartography in hope to improve their expedition techniques.

Triangle Sails

Sep 15, 1450

The invention of triangle sails made the ships more aerodynamic. This made it easier for the ships to sail in the wind.

Spices, Fabrics, and Gold

Sep 15, 1460

The Europeans wanted to find goods from China such as fabrics, spices, and gold. The search for this lead to an expedition for a new water route to China.

Portuguese Explore the tip of Africa

Sep 13, 1487

Bartholomeu Dias sailed around the tip of Africa from Portugal. He got caught in a storm which caused him to return home from his voyage. He discovered a new land and decided to name it the Cape of Good Hope because they were hopeful to find a new passage way to India.

Lisbon Reaches India

May 20, 1498

Vasco De Gama voyaged from Lisbon to India. He brought back silks and spices in order to prove that he reached India. He reached India in 1498.

Circumnavigation Around the Globe

Sep 14, 1519

Ferdinand Magellanwas the first person to circumnavigate the globe. He set off from Spain and into the Pacific Ocean.

Exploration of the Pacific

Sep 15, 1768

James Cook leads an exploration for Britain to explore the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific.