The Age of Exploration

Prince Henry sponsers Portuguese Explorers

Jan 1, 1400

Prince Herny started supporting Portuguese explorers financially, so that Portugal began leading the Age of Discovery. In doing so, Prince Henry was striving to achieve his goal of finding a route to the rich spice trade of the Indies and to explore the west coast of Africa.

First school of Navigation is started

Dec 11, 1418

Prince Henry establishes the first school of Navigation in Portugal, where students can be trained in navigation, map-making, and science. This is a major step for the Portuguese, because now they are able to educate themselves in the Discovery realm and possibly be the first to find a passage to India.

The Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella

Oct 19, 1469

With the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella came the unification of a strong centralized Catholic power and a new Spanish prospect in overseas exploration. Both the couple had a keen interest in navigating the Atlantic and they took to hiring the most skilled explorers to voyage across. Consequently these skilled explorers brought back a surplus of gold from various South American countries and Spain became the most thriving empire in Europe.

Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope

May 1, 1488

Bartolomeu Dias's discovery of the Cape of Good Hope was significant for the Europeans because they realized they could trade directly with India and Asia, while bypassing having to go through the Middle East.

Christopher Columbus discovers a New World

Oct 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus's discovery of the New World was perhaps the biggest step in taking the lead of the Age of the Discovery for the Spanish. Along with the future formation of a New World came a whole trade route of new riches.

The Columbian Exchange started

Dec 11, 1493

Christoper Columbus's discovery of the New World not only had it's effect on Spain, but all of Europe, his new trade route the Americas could now be broken into the Columbian Exchange. This started the bridge from the Old World to the New world bringing over all of the different food, slaves, and diseases

Vasco de Gama makes it to India

May 20, 1498

Vasco de Gama becomes the first European to make it to India rounding the Cape of Good Hope and paving the way for a very successful Portuguese Empire. With this successful new route comes the very successful trade with India at a much faster pace.

Spanish Settlers and Missionaries

Jan 1, 1500

Spain's new empire began flourishing with a rush of Spanish settlers and missionaries all following the Spanish Conquistadors, new clamied land. With all of the new population moving to the colonies, gave Spain a influx in gold and imports from South America, continuing it's lavishing economy.

Pedro Cabral found Brazil

Apr 22, 1500

Pedro claiming Brazil for Portugal meant that Portugal had now marked it's territory in South America. Brazil was a vast land mass with lot's of natives to trade with, only furthering the Portuguese progress.

Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigates the whole globe

Dec 11, 1522

Ferdinand Magellen's trip proved to be somewhat successful for Spain, but no doubt a monumental stride in Exploration. He was granted 250 sailors to come aboard with him on his voyage across the globe that supposedly took one year. Unfortunately, Ferdinand died in a battle at Mactan and was not able to make it home. In the end, only one of the ships from the big fleet arrived back in Spain, named the Victoria, The trip actually turned out to be 3 years long and only 18 survived.

Francisco Pizarro overthrpws the Inca Empire

Dec 11, 1535

Francisco Pizarro discovers Peru and it's vast richest. He is then granted men to sail back to Peru and take over the Inca Empire. Once the Inca Empire belongs to the Spanish, the gold and silver influx goes up tremendously. This is huge for the Spanish economy and a big resource for the King and Queen.

Hernan Cortes overthrew the Aztec Empire

Dec 11, 1541

Hernan Cortes talked the governer of Cuba into letting him lead an expidition to Mexico. During his travels Hernan Cortes befriended a native group called the Tlaxcalans, who later helped him against the Aztecs. After he defeated them, he started to build Mexico City. This new city was yet another contributer of gold and precious jewels in South America for the Spainards.

Traingular Trade

Dec 1, 1600

Trade across the Atlantic that links Europe, Africa, and the Americas first. This connected all of the colonies and spread new imports and exports in a easier ways. Although most imports were good like spices, animals, or slaves; disease crept it's way to the New Americas and Europe, which led to numerous fatalities.

Commercial Revolution

Dec 11, 1600

The Commercial Revolution was a start of growth expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism. The largest competitors like England, Portugal, and Spain created trading organizations, such as the Hanseatic League. These leagues started to dismiss trade in the Mediterranean and focus in more on the Atlantic Ocean.

English Colonies and Pilgrams

Dec 11, 1620

English settlers began establishing colonies on the east coast of the New Americas. This impacted England's trade with the New Americas. Now a lot of the English population were migrating over to the New World bringing not only families, but a endless supply of culture. Later on in history the 13 New Colonies would be formed.