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1341
Portugal Exploration
First to launch exploratory expeditions (Portugal) -
1492
Christopher Columbus Debut
Searching for the East Indies, he embarked on a voyage.(Spain) -
1492
New World Discovered
Christopher Columbus discovered the Caribbean. (Spain) -
1497
Vasco De Gama Route
First to sail from Europe to India by rounding Africa's Cape of Good Hope. (Portugal) -
1497
Great Britain Exploration
British sought a Western route to Asia for trade. (Silk Road) -
1497
New Land Discovered by Great Britain
John Cabot found present-day Canada and New England. Eventually established colonies in eastern North America -
1500
Portugal Claims Brazil
Portuguese nobleman and military commander Pedro Álvares Cabral explores Brazil and claims it for Portugal. -
1508
Spain Claims Territory
Juan Ponce de Leon: explored and claimed Puerto Rico and “La Florida” for Spain. (Spain) -
1516
Díaz de Solís Incident
Díaz de Solís becomes the first European to land in Uruguay, but most of his expedition is killed and perhaps eaten by local people. -
1519
Spanish Conquers Mexico
Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés defeats the Aztecs and conquers Mexico. -
1534
France
France joined the race. Would explore North America at great length (Ohio, Mississippi River, Rocky Mountains, etc.) -
1535
Gulf of Saint Lawrence
French explorer Jacques Cartier explores and maps the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. -
1539
French Explores Interior
French Franciscan friar Fray Marcos de Niza sent by the Spanish governor of Mexico (New Spain), explores Arizona and New Mexico searching for the Seven Cities of Gold and foments rumor-mongering in Mexico City that he has seen the cities when he returns. -
Triangular Trade
Three-legged economic model and trade route that was predicated on the transatlantic trade of enslaved people. -
First Settlement
In 1607, 104 English men and boys arrived in North America to start a settlement. On May 13 they picked Jamestown, Virginia for their settlement, which was named after their King, James I. The settlement became the first permanent English settlement in North America. -
13 Colonies
Virginia is the first of the 13 colonies to be established.