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Jan 1, 1405
Zheng He takes his first voyage.
Lead 7 voyages, travelled large distances, explored Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa. -
Jan 1, 1492
The Columbian Exchange begins.
Due to colonization, the global transfer of goods begins. -
Jan 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus makes first voyage
Tried to find route to East India, but instead ended up in the Americas. -
Jan 1, 1494
Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas
Agreed to honor that all lines to the East belonged to Portugal and all lines to the West belonged to Spain -
Jan 1, 1498
Vasco de Gama begins exploring the East African coast.
Reached the port of Calicut and found spices, rare, silks, and precious gems, also gave Portugal a direct sea route to India. -
Jan 1, 1511
First enslaved Africans arrive in the Americas.
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Jan 1, 1519
Hernando Cortes lands on the shores of Mexico
Marched along land until he found the Aztec capital. -
Jan 1, 1533
Atahualpa is killed by the Spanish.
Last remaining ruler of the Incan empire, was killed even though his ransom was paid. Strangled to death as opposed to burning to death because he converted to Christianity. -
Jan 1, 1535
Fransisco Pizarro founds the city of Lima.
Became the governer of Peru and encouraged settlers from Spain. -
Tokugawa shoguns rule Japan.
Moved Japan's capital to his power base at Edo, a small fishing village that would become the city of Tokyo. -
The Dutch East Indian Company opens headquarters in Java.
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Metacom (King Phillip) leads attacks on colonial villages in Massachussets
In the months that followed, both English Settlers and Native Americans slaughtered each other.