Globalization and Exploration Timeline

By ddaniels
  • 1415

    Capture of Ceuta by Portugal

    Capture of Ceuta by Portugal
    Why This Event: Ceuta's capture marked the beginning of European maritime exploration. It symbolized Portugal’s ambition to expand beyond its borders and control African trade routes, laying the groundwork for the Age of Exploration.
  • Period: 1450 to

    Globalization and Exploration Timeline

  • 1488

    Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope

    Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope
    Why This Event: Dias's expedition demonstrated the feasibility of sailing to the Indian Ocean via Africa, overcoming geographical barriers that limited trade. This achievement was critical in establishing sea routes to Asia, which reshaped global trade networks.
  • 1492

    Christopher Columbus Reaches the Americas

    Christopher Columbus Reaches the Americas
    Why This Event: Columbus's voyage led to the permanent connection between Europe and the Americas. It initiated European colonization, the Columbian Exchange, and the transformation of economies, cultures, and ecosystems on a global scale.
  • 1494

    Treaty of Tordesillas

    Treaty of Tordesillas
    Why This Event: This treaty divided the non-European world between Spain and Portugal, formalizing the competitive nature of European expansion. It also influenced the distribution of territories and colonial powers for centuries.
  • 1498

    Vasco da Gama Reaches India

    Vasco da Gama Reaches India
    Why This Event: Da Gama’s journey was pivotal in establishing direct European access to the lucrative spice trade in Asia. This sea route reduced reliance on overland trade controlled by Middle Eastern and Asian intermediaries, boosting European economic power.
  • 1519

    Ferdinand Magellan’s Expedition Circumnavigates the Globe

    Ferdinand Magellan’s Expedition Circumnavigates the Globe
    Why This Event: The first circumnavigation of the globe proved Earth’s roundness and the interconnectedness of oceans, revolutionizing cartography and global trade. It also highlighted the vastness of Earth, reshaping European perspectives on exploration.
  • 1565

    Establishment of Manila as a Trade Hub

    Establishment of Manila as a Trade Hub
    Why This Event: Manila’s founding as a Spanish colony created a critical link between Asia, the Americas, and Europe. It facilitated the exchange of goods like silver, silk, and spices, making it a cornerstone of early globalization.

  • Formation of the Dutch East India Company (VOC)

    Formation of the Dutch East India Company (VOC)
    The VOC was among the first multinational corporations and set the standard for large-scale global trade. Its innovative structure and dominance in spice trade established European influence in Asia, particularly Indonesia.

  • James Cook Claims Australia for Britain

    James Cook Claims Australia for Britain
    Why This Event: Cook’s exploration expanded European knowledge of the Pacific and initiated British colonization in Australia. This marked a significant phase in global migration, resource exploitation, and cultural exchange, impacting indigenous populations profoundly.

  • Abolition of the Slave Trade in Britain

    Abolition of the Slave Trade in Britain
    Why This Event: The abolition of the transatlantic slave trade was a landmark in human rights and ethics. It marked the beginning of shifts away from exploitative labor systems, influencing modern perspectives on equality and the global economy.