European Explorers 1450-1800

European Explorers

Period: Jan 1, 1450 to Dec 31, 1800

Here are the European Explorers from the beginning of 1450 to the end of year 1800.

Christopher Columbus found America

Aug 3, 1492

Christopher Columbus's travels was one one of the biggest events in history! Christopher Columbus traveled from Spain to Asia for trading goods but ending up in America. Columbus’s ideas of the size of the earth and the distance between Europe and Asia were based on his caculations. He was seeking wealth through the establishment of trade routes and colonies. He went to the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Venezuela and Central America, claiming them for the Spanish Empire.

Hernán Cortés battled the Aztecs

Nov 8, 1519

Hernán Cortés went to the Aztecs, met them, and battled them. At that time Mexico was ruled by the Aztec Empire and its leader, Montezuma II. He took Montezuma hostage and asked for a huge ransom of gold and jewels. Hernán battled them for their land: Hernan won the battle claiming the land for Spain! In addition, his men took over Veracruz. When he won, he was made governor of the land.

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo tried to find a waterway

Jun 27, 1542

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo went to Baja California to find a sturdy waterway through North America. They were looking for a good waterway and traveled on three ships: the 200-ton galleon and flagship San Salvador, the ship La Victoria (c. 100 tons). Cabrillo visited many of the islands along the coast -- Santa Cruz, Catalina and San Clemente. He may have sailed as far north as Oregon. The next day they drifted southward, discovering "Bahía de los Pinos" and "Cabo de Pinos."

Francis Drake kept treasure away

Dec 13, 1577

Francis Drake went to Spain and battled them to keep treasure away from them. He was ordered by Queen Elizibeth the 1st. On the way, (in North America), he claimed the land he called "Nova Albion" for the Queen. When Francis reached Spain, they captured around 20 tons of silver and gold and buried most of it they buried. When he came back to England, the Queen rewarded Drake with a large sum of money (£10,000).

Sebastián Vizcaíno named places

Nov 10, 1602

Sebastián Vizcaíno led an expidition to Atla california and he named place as he went. Sebastian Vizcaíno, leading a fleet consisting of the ships San Diego and Santo Tomás, and the frigate Tres Reyes, sailed past Carmel Bay and on December 16, 1602 rounded Punta de los Pinos (Point Pinos) and entered the harbor. Sebastián started naming. For example, Monteray Bay was a big spanish settlement and Point Lobos, Santa Catalina Island, Carmel Valley, Monterey Bay, Sierra Point, Coyote Point.

Vitus Bering found a waterway

Feb 5, 1728

Tsar Peter I the Great appointed Bering to take command of the First Kamchatka Expedition (1725 -1730). Peter told Bering to travel to the east coast of Kamchatka and once there to:1) build one or two ships 2) go North and find out where the coast ends, +. Vitus Bering did so and went to America and found a narrow body of water from Asia to North America. He first sailed dow to Siberia to get more food, he explored for Russia, they were more successful than the Dutch and the English.

James Cook surveyed, mapped and took possession

Feb 14, 1728

James Cook's travels was one one of the biggest events in history, he also was a all world explorer! He traveled everywhere becoming one of the first to cross the Antarctic Circle on 17 January 1773. He also surveyed, mapped and took possession for Britain of South Georgia. He searched for the hypothetical Terra Australis succesfuly, He looked for water routes, and explored, and more. He was a really big accomplishment! At the end, he was promoted to the rank of a captain!

Gaspar de Portolà went to go establish missions

Jan 23, 1768

Gaspar de Portolà's travels was one one of the biggest events in history! Gaspar de Portolà wanted to establish missions. Eager to press on to Monterey Bay, He first went to Baja California to find Monteray but failed. The following year Gaspar De Portola went back with his crew containing Juan Crespi, Junípero Serra, and more heroes. They finally suceeded in finding Monteray Bay and they made a mission called San Carlos Borromeo.

José de Gálvez led an expidition

Mar 14, 1769

José de Gálvez was a Spanish attorney, colonial administrator, and a statesman. José de Gálvez led an expidition, he wanted settlers to start a colony at Atla California, He made three groups in search for a hostile place to live. He received the following orders by the king himself : "Occupy and fortify San Diego and Monterey for God and the King of Spain, "

Junípero Serra accompanied Gaspar

Jan 23, 1798

Junípero Serra accompanied Gaspar on their journey to find Monteray Bay, on the way, he also founded the missions: Mission San Antonio de Padua, Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission San Francisco de Asís, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and Mission San Buenaventura. He then found Monteray with Gaspar and also founded, last of all, San Carlos Borromeo. On August 28, 1784, Father Junípero Serra died at the Mission San Carlos.