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Period: May 27, 1450 to May 27, 1550
Portugal and Spain
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May 27, 1488
Bartholomew Dias (Portugal)
• Traveled around the Cape of Good Hope • Wanted to explore the African coast, spread Christianity, and make trade partners -
May 27, 1492
Christopher Columbus (Spain)
• “Discovered” islands in the Caribbean, Cuba, San Salvador, Haiti
• Wanted an alternative trade route to Asia -
May 27, 1493
Line of Demarcation
Pope Alexander stepped in to keep peace with the nations. He suggested a dividing line drawn North to South through the Atlantic:
• Land West of the line was for Spain
• Land East of the Line was for Portugal -
May 27, 1494
Tready of Tordesillas
• Line was moved farther West to include parts of modern day Brazil
• The Treaty honored the line (1494) -
May 27, 1498
Vasco de Gama (Portugal)
• Traveled around Africa to India and East Asian Islands
• Wanted to spread Christianity to make trade partners -
May 27, 1500
Pedro Cabral (Portugal)
• Reached Brazil and claimed it for Portugal -
May 27, 1501
Amerigo Vespucci (Portugal)
• Explored the eastern coast of South America
• Claimed a “new” world
• A German mapmaker named the new continent in honor of Vespucci. -
May 27, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan (Spain)
• Sailed around South America
• Sailed into the Pacific Ocean
• Explored Guam and Philippines
• Crew sailed around the world -
May 27, 1521
Hernan Cortes (Spain)
• Took over Mexico/Aztecs
• Set up capital in Mexico City -
May 27, 1532
Francisco Pizzaro (Spain)
• Took over Peru/Incan Empire
