History

By Scruberoni
  • 1419

    Prince Henry the Navigator establishes a school for navigators in Portugal, encouraging exploration along the African coast.

    This marked the catalyst point for explorers to embark on the beginning of the age of exploration.
  • 1419

    Prince Henry the Navigator establishes a school for navigators in Portugal, encouraging exploration along the African coast.

    Establishing a school on navigation was a catalyst to the age of exploration.
  • 1441

    Portuguese explorers reach the Senegal River, marking the beginning of the African slave trade.

    As the Portuguese traveled down the west coast of Africa they began to engage in slave trade which resulted in the capture and trade of captive African Americans.
  • 1492

    Christopher Columbus reaches the Bahamas on his first voyage, claiming the islands for Spain and believing he has reached Asia

    This marks the first European contact with the Americas. Something that today is still "celebrated" today
  • 1494

    The Treaty of Tordesillas is signed, dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal along a meridian

    Peace treaty that allowed for equal land discovery
  • 1498

    Vasco da Gama sails to India, reaching Calicut and opening direct trade routes between Europe and Asia

    This trade route opened up a huge market for bartering goods.
  • 1513

    Vasco Núñez de Balboa crosses the Isthmus of Panama and becomes the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas

    First time seeing the Pacific Ocean through the Americas.
  • 1519

    Hernán Cortés begins his expedition to Mexico, leading to the eventual fall of the Aztec Empire

    First travels to Mexico leading to the fall of a huge empire.
  • 1522

    Magellan's expedition returns to Spain, proving the feasibility of circumnavigating the globe

    Allowed the realization that they can return after then explore very easily.
  • 1532

    1532: Francisco Pizarro captures the Inca ruler Atahualpa, leading to the collapse of the Inca Empire in Peru

    Marked the end of the Inca empire
  • 1565

    he Spanish establish St. Augustine in Florida, the first permanent European settlement in the continental United States

    The first known landing spot for the United States