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Jan 1, 1440
Invention of the printing press
The invention of the printing press allowed for better transmission of information. As the printing process took less time and labor to print, books became cheaper. Due to the reduced prices, books and the information they contained could be distributed to more people at a faster rate because more people could afford them. This information, especially books telling of the wonders in other regions of the world and on sailing, helped to promote exploration. -
Jan 1, 1442
The first auctions of black slaves take place in Portugal
The first black slave auction is important because it opened up the possibility of black slavery to the Eurasian world. African slavery became accepted, eventually leading to the epidemic of slavery. Slavery required sailors to transport slaves from Africa to the regions where they would be enslaved. This discovery could only have occurred with the exploration of sailors to Africa. -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus learns that compasses change direction as longitude changes
As Columbus learned that compasses change direction as longitude changes, he helped prevent navigational accidents, and helped navigators reach their intended destinations. As the reliability of navigation increased, explorers could reach their destination and traders could effectively transport goods. This may have facilitated the establishment of the Columbian Exchange because shipments could be sent back and forth. Explorers and traders alike were safe to sail. -
Jan 1, 1493
Columbian exchange established
Link The Columbian Exchange was established after the disovery of the Americas and Africa. The mutual exchange of germs, plants, goods, ideas, and people was at the heart of trade. Not only were the populations of all nations involved drastically changed (especially due to the slave trade), but the exposure of populations to goods from other nations also influenced the world. The diseases exchanged devastated the populations of Native Americans, but the exchange profited Europeans greatly. -
Sep 9, 1499
Vasco Da Gama returns to Lisbon after discovering a route from Europe to India around the Cape of Good Hope
The first route taken to India from Europe proved the possibility of travel from Portugal to India. Once a fast route was discovered, trade between India and Portugal could occur. Vasco da Gama, by being the first European recorded to make the journey around the Cape of Good Hope, found such a route. This trade stimulated Europe's economy. -
Jan 1, 1507
First map with "America" labeled in honor of Amerigo Vespucci
During the Age of Exploration, cartography was also advanced. Maps made by Ptolemy centuries earlier were being replaced by maps such as this one. The discrepancies in proportions between the actual planet Earth and the maps created earlier were finally resolved to some extent. The Americas were also labeled as such and Australia eventually became recognized on the map. -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther posts the 95 Theses, sparking the Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther was outraged by the corruption within the church. He was sickened by the sale of indulgences in his hometown and wrote the 95 Theses, denouncing the sale of indulgences. Luther believed that all who had the Christian faith were saved, by faith, not works, and began a new division within the church- Lutheranism. However, as his beliefs conflicted with the Catholic church's leaders, he was called to the Diet of Worms to recant, to which he refused. -
Jan 1, 1522
Pascual de Andagoya explores South America, first retells the tale of El Dorado
The El Dorado myth led many explorers to search for the city of gold. The story was first retold to Europeans in a book by Pascual de Andagoya. The story was more widely distributed, and led to expeditions to the New World, in search of the gold. However, men began to lose their lives in search of El Dorado which was never found, and the legend became more ambiguous. -
Jan 1, 1522
Magellan's body returns to Spain
Magellan was the first person recorded to have circumnavigated the world. While others contributed to maps, navigational instruments, and other innovations, Magellan never made it home alive. Magellan was killed during the journey, but still contributed to exploration by finding a route around the world. With this proof that such a route existed, others were inspired to make the journey. -
Jan 1, 1533
Spain conquers the Inca empire; Atahualpa is hanged
The Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire is the beginning of Spanish colonization in the New World. The Spanish begin exploiting the inhabitants of the New World, enslaving them and forcing them to help produce greater wealth for Spaniards. Atahualpa's hanging was another example of exploitation. The Spaniards ransomed Atahualpa, then stole the gold and hanged him. -
Jan 1, 1543
Copernicus publishes a book stating the heliocentricity of the solar system
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Dutch explorers discover Australia
Dutch explorers finally discovered Australia in 1606, learning that the ambiguous, theoretical southern continent (Terra Australis) actually existed. However, myths about the enormity of the continent had been exaggerated, as the explorers learned. This discovery led to an expedition by James Cook later on, in which many new species of plants were discovered. Also, the Australian prison colony was later established, allowing criminals to start their lives afresh. -
Jamestown settlement in Virginia is established by the English
The Jamestown settlement in Virginia marked the first permanent, lasting settlement made in the New World by the British. The British expanded their territory from this area. Eventually, after this initial step, the British created 13 colonies on the eastern seaboard. This settlement also expanded, creating the modern United States. -
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Hudson explores around New York City, allowing for later Dutch colonization
The first settlement in what is now New York was established by the Dutch. Before settling in the area, however, the Dutch explored around it. Henry Hudson discovered the Hudson river, which the Dutch discovered was an accessible waterway which didn't ice up quickly. The Dutch then established a settlement which was named New Amsterdam. -
Sante Fe, New Mexico is founded by the Spanish; Colony of Quebec is established by the French
The Spanish and the French began colonizing the Americas. Spain conquered the southern portion of the Americas. The French conquered what is now Canada and the west portion of the United States. This colonization led to territory disputes between several groups (French, British, Native Americans, etc.). -
Importance of Events in Timeline
The invention of the printing press allowed for the spread of ideas, including fanciful tales of other lands. The beginning of the slave trade in Portugal was the beginning of the acceptance of the slave trade, which later lead not only to the subjugation of many people but also to the Columbian Exchange. Columbus's discovery of the flaws of compasses helped spur the innovation of compasses to work properly for navigators, leading to safer, more reliable travel and therefore improved trade. -
Importance of Events in Timeline, cont.
The Columbian Exchange helped to economically benefit many Europeans, as much as the establishment of other trade routes in the past. It specifically facilitated the migration of people, especially through the slave trade, and increased populations by introducing crops like the potato to Europe, to various regions of the world. It reduced populations by spreading diseases such as smallpox to the New World, and spread ideas, such as Christianity, to the New World. -
The Importance of Events within timeline, cont.
Vasco da Gama found a route to India, which quickened the rate at which traders could transport goods from Europe to India, allowing for the creation of companies like the East India Company. Maps began improving, allowing navigators to more easily find their way as the maps became increasingly accurate. New ideas about religion were introduced by Martin Luther and other reformers in the Protestant Reformation, which led to the split in the church and many later conflicts between the two halves. -
Importance of Events within Timeline, cont.
When Magellan's body returned to Spain, it proved that a crew could circumnavigate the world as Magellan's crew did and no doubt inspired others to make the journey, as well. The madness of Gold Fever, which was inspired by tales of El Dorado and endless riches in the New World, inspired expeditions to the New World and general excitement. Spain begins colonizing South America, establishing Spanish nations which have endured until this day. -
Importance of Events, cont.
The Dutch found Australia, allowing for the establishment of the later English prison colony. The Jamestown settlement in North America, marking the first successful North American settlement established by the British, from which 13 colonies come, later forming part of the United States. The Dutch also founded New Amsterdam in what is now New York. All of these changes mentioned contributed greatly to the demographics of nations and the creation of nations themselves.
