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1492
Christopher Columbus' First Voyage
Columbus' voyage to the Americas marked the beginning of sustained European exploration and the opening of the Western Hemisphere to European colonization. This event is crucial because it initiated the era of global exchange, triggering waves of exploration that would reshape the world. -
1497
Vasco da Gama's Voyage to India
Vasco da Gama's successful voyage to India by sea linked Europe directly to Asia via the Indian Ocean, significantly enhancing trade between Europe and the East. This event laid the foundation for the Portuguese and later Dutch, French, and British colonial empires in Asia. -
1519
Ferdinand Magellan's Circumnavigation of the Globe
Magellan's expedition, the first to circumnavigate the globe, demonstrated the Earth's roundness and proved the feasibility of global navigation. This expanded geographical knowledge and promoted the idea of a connected world. -
1521
The Fall of the Aztec Empire to Hernán Cortés
The conquest of the Aztec Empire by Cortés dramatically altered the course of history in the Americas. It began European colonization of the Americas, which brought immense wealth to Spain and initiated the Columbian Exchange. -
1531
The Fall of the Inca Empire to Francisco Pizarro
Pizarro's defeat of the Inca Empire further established Spain's dominance in South America. This event accelerated European colonization, as well as the extraction of resources, especially silver, which had a global economic impact. -
The Establishment of the British East India Company
The British East India Company was pivotal in the development of the British Empire's economic and political control over India. This marked the beginning of large-scale European involvement in global trade networks, particularly in spices and textiles. -
The Dutch Establishing a Trade Empire in the East Indies
The Dutch East India Company’s control over trade routes in Southeast Asia solidified the Netherlands as a dominant force in global trade, particularly in spices. This further expanded the European influence on global trade and commerce. -
The First African Slaves Arrive in Jamestown, Virginia
The arrival of African slaves in North America began the transatlantic slave trade, which would last for centuries. This event had a profound impact on global economies, contributing to the growth of plantation economies in the Americas and the exchange of goods and people. -
The Agricultural Revolution in Europe
The Agricultural Revolution led to surplus food production in Europe, which supported population growth and urbanization. This shift in the European economy facilitated the rise of industrialization and greater involvement in global markets. -
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution in Europe increased manufacturing and transportation capacity, creating a more interconnected world economy. It accelerated the pace of globalization by expanding the demand for raw materials and new markets, influencing global trade patterns and colonialism.