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1490
Period 1490 - 1603
(All images are cited in the parent class presentation.) -
1492
Columbus - 1st Voyage
Christopher Columbus was an Italian navigator that sailed under the patronage of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. Ottoman Empire blocked the overland route to China and India, motivating seaborne expedition. Landed in what he named San Salvador. Three other voyages followed. -
Period: 1492 to
The Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange is a generalized model to explain the flow of materials, plants, animals, diseases, and etc. between the old and new worlds. The balance of this trade was certainly in favor of the old world. -
1497
Cabot - 1st Voyage
John Cabot was an Italian navigator that sailed under the patronage of England’s King Henry VII, claiming what is now the east coast of Canada and laying the initial groundwork for English colonization in the region. A second voyage was launched in 1498, on which Cabot and most of his ships were lost at sea. -
1497
Da Gama - 1st Voyage
Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese navigator that opened a seaborne route to India, notably sailing east instead of west. He sailed down the western coast of Africa, around the Cape of Good Hope, and into the Indian Ocean. His voyage, and the two that would follow, gave Portugal the early lead in the “race” for access to India. -
1499
Vespucci - 1st Voyage
Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian merchant that sailed under the patronage of Spain (1499) and later Portugal (1501). He reached the eastern edge of South America, heading north towards the Spanish Caribbean before returning to Spain. He reached the eastern edge of South America on the second voyage as well, but went south before turning around close to modern day Sao Paulo, Brazil. Vespucci realized that what he was seeing was not Chinese or Indian lands, but a new world. -
1509
Henry VIII (r. 1509 - 1547)
Henry VIII, originally married to Catherine of Aragon, was unable to bring forth a male heir to the throne. His request for an annulment was not granted by Pope Clement VII. Consequently, Henry separated the Church of England from papal authority, and put it under the monarchy. Henry would eventually have six wives and one male heir. -
1513
De Leon's Explorations
Ponce De Leon was the Spanish governor of Hispaniola. In search of gold, he led a private expedition to modern day Puerto Rico. This led to further expeditions in the Caribbean Basin, to include Florida (which he incorrectly assumed as an island) – allegedly in search of the Fountain of Youth. -
Period: 1517 to
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation eroded the power of the Catholic Church. Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses is generally considered the beginning of the Reformation, though several protestant reformers would be active in Europe in the century after Luther made his statement. England’s reformation was led by Henry VIII in his attempt to have a male heir/solidify his own rule rather than the Pope’s. -
1519
Cortes' Mexican Expedition
Hernan Cortes launched an unauthorized campaign into what would become modern day Mexico, landing in 1519. Allying himself with indigenous peoples, he would eventually end the Aztec Empire, capturing and later destroying Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City). This opened Mexico for Spanish occupation. Cortes would later be named governor. -
1519
Magellan's Voyage
Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese navigator that sailed under the patronage of Spain. His voyage led to the very tip of South America where he transited what is now called the Strait of Magellan. He and his crew were the first Europeans to sail their way into the Pacific Ocean. Magellan met his demise in battle in the Philippine Islands. Nonetheless, the few survivors of his expedition (led by Del Cano) completed the first recorded circumnavigation of the globe in 1522. -
Period: 1520 to
The Great Dying
The Great Dying of indigenous peoples in the Americas began shortly after the arrival of European explorers and colonizers. Much of the blame lay with having never been exposed to the diseases brought from Europe and Africa. It’s estimated that up to 90% of the indigenous peoples perished. -
1527
De Vaca's Expedition
Cabeza De Vaca sailed as part of the Narvaez Expedition of 1527. That expedition would land in Florida and eventually shipwreck off the modern coast of Texas, Narvaez dying along the way. De Vaca assumed command and spent years travelling Texas and northern/western Mexico, often as a captive of native tribes. His account of the expedition, "La relacion y comentarios" (1555), became the first written account the peoples and geography of this part of the world. -
1547
Edward VI (r. 1547 - 1553)
Edward VI, Henry’s male heir, was only on the throne for a short time. While there, he sought to continue his father’s protestant rule of England. -
1553
Mary I (r. 1553 - 1558)
Mary I succeeded her younger half-brother, Edward VI. Not only was she Catholic, but she was married to Phillip II of Spain (an obviously Catholic kingdom). Called “Bloody Mary” by her protestant subjects, she attempted to reverse the English Reformation of Henry VIII and Edward VI. That attempt was cut short by her early death. -
1558
Elizabeth I (r. 1558 - 1603)
Queen Elizabeth I succeeded her half-sister, Mary I. As a protestant, Elizabeth restored the English Reformation (albeit with a relatively tolerant and ecumenical manner). With her long rule, she essentially solidified the English Reformation. She also oversaw the rise of England at the expense of previous world powers, notably Spain. In doing so, she put England in a position to reap significant rewards on the cusp of a colonial world. -
1577
Drake's Voyage
Sir Francis Drake was an English navigator that sailed under the patronage of Elizabeth I. Like Magellan, his expedition circumnavigated the globe from east to west. Unlike Magellan, his expedition explored the western coasts of South and North America before returning to England. -
Defeat of the Spanish Armada
Before 1588, the Spanish Navy was the most powerful on earth. They launched to attack and reestablish the primacy of Catholicism in England. Due in part to favorable winds, different ship designs / combat concepts, and better leadership (including Drake), most of the mighty Spanish fleet was lost. England was never attacked. More importantly, England’s sea power surpassed Spain and (like with Elizabeth I) put them in a position to reap significant rewards on the cusp of a colonial world.