Exploration in the 15th Century

In the early 1400s, people began to explore new lands.

Jan 15, 1400

This was born out of necessity. A new trade route to the East was needed to avoid the heavy taxes imposed on travellers through the Silk Roads in Russia. In addition, European monarchs wanted to conquer new land in the hope of building a wealthy, prestigious empire. Of course, none of this exploration would have been possible without the advances science which helped to improve ships, navigational tools etc.

Before the 1500s, people did not explore the world beyond the countries already discovered.

Apr 15, 1400

People feared the unknown. Many believed that world was flat and that if they sailed far enough, they would fall off the edge. Some felt that the immense heat further south would kill them while it was thought that sea monsters lurked in the vast oceans, ready to lure a ship to its death.

Portugal improve navigational methods and tools.

Mar 8, 1401

As countries began to embark on epic explorations, Portugal realised the importance of navigation in discovering new countries. They developed the Caravel – a small sailing ship that travelled very fast and could be steered easily along a coastline. Henry the Navigator set up a navigational school at Sagres, where he taught his students how to use a type of map called a Portolan and how to record a log (the ship's diary)

Finding a trade route to India/Spice Islands

May 22, 1487

The race was on to find a new trade route to India and the Spice Islands by sea which would not only avoid the heavy penalties of the Silk Roads but also allow for faster, easier travel in ships that could carry a huge amount of cargo. In 1487, Diaz, a Portugeuse explorer, sailed to the Cape of Storms, the tip of Africa. He finds it peaceful and renames it the “Cape of Good Hope”.

Christopher Colombus made Govenor of this new land

Apr 17, 1492

Though he returned to Spain with none of the gold he had promised, he was made Govenor of, as he thought, India. However, in the long term, when he realised it was not India, he was removed from the position. America was named after an Italian mapmaker, Amerigo Vespucci, who verified it as a new land.

Christopher Colombus discovers America.

Aug 3, 1492

Spain were annoyed that Portugal now controlled the main trade route to India. Christopher Colombus, a young explorer, approached Ferdinand and Isabella, the king and queen of Spain and told them that he could reach India by travelling West, as the world was round. They sponsored three ships for him – the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. He thought he had discovered India but in reality he reached Cuba, Hispaniola, San Salvador, Jamacica, Puerto Rica and the American coast.

Exploration led to the rise of Spanish and Portuguese empires

Jun 7, 1494

Having discovered these lands, Spain and Portugal were able to build vast empires and become the wealthiest countries in Europe. The Treaty of Tordesillas on 7th June 1494 settled conflicts over land between them and due to inflation, they could sell new foodstuffs such pineapples, chocolate and tobacco at high prices and make a great profit.

Finding a trade route to India/Spice Islands

Jul 17, 1497

De Gama sails to India
De Gama, another Portuguese explorer, goes further than Diaz by rounding the tip of the Cape and sailing across the Indian Ocean to India in 1497

The New World suffers

Sep 18, 1498

When the explorers invaded the new countries, death rates rose in the native population due to war, disease and their cruel treatment at the hands of the Europeans. Many were enslaved as their cultures, languages and religions were destroyed