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European Christians start a holy war to try to take the Holy Lands from Muslims in the Middle East. The Muslims won, ending the Crusades by killing King Louis VII during the seventh Crusade.
(www.umich.edu/~eng415/timeline/summaries/First_Crusade.htm),
(www.history.com/topics/crusades) -
Marco Polo meets Kublai Khan in China, where Marco served in the Khan's court and eventually became a tax inspector. (http://www.silk-road.com/artl/marcopolo.shtml)
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Europe wants to start trade with Asia so it can benefit from exotic goods like spices.
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The caravel is invented, making it possible to travel large distances over sea and travel against the wind.
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Prince Henry starts a navigation school in Sagres for sailors, which helps launch Portuguese sailors to the top of the exploration ladder.
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The Portuguese set up trading posts on the west coast of Africa.
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Dias sails around the southern tip of Africa and finds a reliable way to reach Asia. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bartolomeu-Dias)
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Columbus lands on America, thinking he found Asia.
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The Treaty of Tordesillas divides the Americas between Spain and Portugal. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Tordesillas)
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Vasco de Gama sails to India.
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Vasco de Gama returns to Portugal with valuable cargo.
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Portugal defeats Muslims and takes over Indian trade.
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The Portuguese capture Goa as a port city and a part of trade. (http://www.goatourism.gov.in/history/portuguese-conquests)
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The Portuguese seize Melaka as a spice trading port.
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The English and Dutch begin moving into Asia.
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The Dutch have more ships (20,000) than any other European nation at the time, being one of the top exploring powers.
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The Dutch set up trade headquarters at Batavia.
