5th hour

The Portuguese seize Ceuta, sparking interest in rounding Africa.

1415

Portugal is strong enough to expand into Muslim North Africa, and they seize the coastal city of Ceuta in 1415. Their victory inspires Prince Henry, to organize voyages along the western coast of Africa

Christopher Columbus lands in the Caribbean

Aug 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus stumbled across what is now know as the Caribbean by accident while trying to find a trade route to Asia to trade for spices. When he found land he thought he was in East Asia

Portugal Claims Brazil

Jun 7, 1493

Portugal claims Brazil and issues grants of land to Portuguese nobles. European settlers move to Brazil to farm Brazil wood and sugar.

John Cabot lands on the east coast of North America

Jun 24, 1497

John Cabot sets out on a voyage from England. When he lands on the east coast of North America, he claims the land in the name of King Henry VII, mistakenly believing he is in Asia.

Vasco da Gama reaches India after rounding Africa.

May 20, 1498

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reaches India after rounding the southern tip of Africa. The venture is highly profitable and he returns with a cargo of spices. His voyage shows Portugal can access Asian markets directly, instead of through indirect overland routes

A German mapmaker names the "New World" America

Apr 25, 1507

A German mapmaker reads reports about Columbus' "New World," .The mapmaker names the region America, and the Caribbean islands Columbus initially explored are named the West Indies.

Portugal seizes Malacca

Aug 24, 1511

After da Gama's success in setting up a trading post, the Portuguese begin to capture key ports around the Indian Ocean. In 1511 they seize Malacca, which allows them to ally with Asian leaders and establish a major foothold in Asian trade routes.

Hernan Cortés lands in Mexico

1519

Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernan Cortés lands on the coast of Mexico with 600 men, 16 horses, and a few cannons. While the Spaniards are vastly outnumbered by the Aztecs, they capture and demolish the capital city of Tenochtitlán in a brutal assault in 1521.

The Vittoria completes its circumnavigation of the globe

Sep 8, 1522

The Vittoria completes the first circumnavigation of the globe, nearly three years after first setting out. While Ferdinand Magellan leads the initial expedition, he and four other ships do not survive the entire voyage.

Francisco Pizarro executes the last Inca emperor

Aug 29, 1533

Inspired by the success of Cortés in Mexico, Francisco Pizarro arrives in Peru in 1532. He capitalizes on the unrest in the Incan empire and quickly captures the Inca emperor, whom he executes in 1533.