Exploration and Contact Timeline

By cheine1
  • Sep 18, 1405

    Zheng He takes first voyage

    Zheng He, considered by some to be the greatest explorer of the 15th century, sets sail for the first time with his fleet of more than 300 ships including some more than 400 ft wide (treasure ships).
  • Sep 18, 1419

    Prince Henry founds first navigation school

    Prince Henry's navigation schools put his country on top in the race of exploration. The image shows one of the schools from a distance.
  • Sep 18, 1433

    Ming China adopts isolationist policy following Zheng He's 7th voyage

    This stopped the exploration and contact with the outside world. This decision put China at a disadvantage in the industrial revolution.
  • Sep 18, 1492

    Christopher Columbus lands in Hispaniola

    This marked the "discovery" of the Americas. Columbus, thinking he had found a route to Asia, has discovered a route to America.
  • Sep 18, 1494

    Spain and Portugal sig the Treaty of Tordesillas

    This treaty, government by the pope, divided the new world into parts for Spain and Portugal.
  • Sep 18, 1498

    Vasco de Gama reaches India

    This is a huge achievement for European Exploration. It began European trade in the Indian Ocean.

  • Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun of Japan

    Ieyasu completes the unification process of Japan.

  • Manchus establish Qing Dynasty in China

    The Manchus maintained power in China until 1912. 1644 marked the beginning of an era.