Age of exploration

By 5686965358
  • 1415

    1415 – The Capture of Ceuta

    1415 – The Capture of Ceuta
    King John I of Portugal orders the capture of Ceuta, a strategic city in North Africa. This marks the beginning of Portugal's expansion into exploration and trade routes.
  • Period: 1415 to 1580

    Portugal

  • 1488

    1488 – Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope

    1488 – Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope
    Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias becomes the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, opening the sea route to Asia and paving the way for future voyages.
  • 1492

    1492: Christopher Columbus' First Voyage

    1492: Christopher Columbus' First Voyage
    Ordered by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, Christopher Columbus sails westward across the Atlantic Ocean, hoping to reach Asia. Instead, he discovers the islands of the Caribbean, which is considered the first European encounter with the Americas.
  • Period: 1492 to 1533

    Spain

  • 1497

    1497 – John Cabot Reaches North America

    1497 – John Cabot Reaches North America
    English explorer John Cabot, under the commission of King Henry VII, sails to the coast of North America, becoming one of the first Europeans to explore the region. This opens the door for English exploration of the New World.
  • Period: 1497 to

    England

  • 1498

    1498 – Vasco da Gama Reaches India

    1498 – Vasco da Gama Reaches India
    Vasco da Gama successfully sails to India, establishing a direct sea route to Asia and securing Portugal’s dominance in the lucrative spice trade.
  • 1513

    1513: Juan Ponce de León’s Discovery of Florida

    1513: Juan Ponce de León’s Discovery of Florida
    Juan Ponce de León, a Spanish explorer, lands on the east coast of which is now, present-day Florida, becoming the first European to explore the region. He names it "La Florida" which means the (land of flowers).
  • 1521

    1521: Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire

    1521: Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire
    Led by Hernán Cortés, Spanish conquistadors defeat the Aztec Empire in which is now, modern-day Mexico. Cortés captures the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, and claims the region for Spain.
  • 1524

    1524: Giovanni da Verrazzano’s Exploration of North America

    1524: Giovanni da Verrazzano’s Exploration of North America
    Giovanni da Verrazzano, an Italian navigator sailing under the French flag, explores the eastern coast of North America, from present-day North Carolina to Newfoundland.
  • Period: 1524 to

    France

  • 1533

    1533: Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire

    1533: Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire
    Francisco Pizarro and his forces conquer the Inca Empire in which is now present-day Peru. The Inca Emperor Atahualpa is captured and executed, leading to the fall of one of the largest and wealthiest civilizations in the Americas.
  • 1534

    1534 – Jacques Cartier claims Canada for France

    1534 – Jacques Cartier claims Canada for France
    1534 – Jacques Cartier claims Canada for France
  • 1580

    1580 – The Iberian Union

    1580 – The Iberian Union
    Portugal is united with Spain under King Philip II, ending its independence for a time. This marks the end of Portugal’s Age of Exploration as the country loses its maritime power to Spain.

  • 1588 – The Defeat of the Spanish Armada

    1588 – The Defeat of the Spanish Armada
    England, under Queen Elizabeth I, successfully defeats the Spanish Armada, a turning point in establishing England as a major maritime power and paving the way for future exploration and colonization.

  • 1607 – The Founding of Jamestown

    1607 – The Founding of Jamestown
    England establishes its first permanent settlement in the New World with the founding of Jamestown in Virginia. This marks the beginning of English colonization in North America.

  • 1608 – Samuel de Champlain establishes Quebec

    1608 – Samuel de Champlain establishes Quebec
    Samuel de Champlain establishes the French settlement of Quebec in Canada, becoming the first permanent French colony in North America and a crucial base for further French exploration and fur trading.

  • 1664 – Establishment of the French West India Company

    1664 – Establishment of the French West India Company
    The French West India Company is founded to oversee French colonial expansion in the Caribbean, particularly in the sugar trade, establishing a stronger French presence in the Americas.

  • 1763 – Treaty of Paris (End of Seven Years' War)

    1763 – Treaty of Paris (End of Seven Years' War)
    The Treaty of Paris marks the end of the Seven Years' War, where England gains vast territories in North America, the Caribbean, and India, establishing the foundation for the British Empire and signaling the end of the Age of Exploration.