Age of Exploration Timeline by Yaretzy Gonzalez Gil, Nancy Truong, Vivian Tran, & Khai Nguyen
By Yare01021
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1271
Marco Polo's Trip to China
Marco Polo wrote The Travels, an account of his journey to China which expressed his fascination of China's culture and economy. The account sparked interest in Asia among many Europeans. -
May 29, 1453
Ottoman Empire's Expansion
After the Ottoman Empire conquered the Byzantine Empire, they imposed heavy taxes on trade goods that went through its territory. European kingdoms were forced to fine new trade routes to Asia to avoid such taxes. -
1492
Christopher Columbus's Discovery of the Americas
Columbus's discovery of the American continents inspired other explorers to set sail to the Americas and the rest is history. -
Jun 7, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal. It established a line 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands, giving Portugal control over lands to the east and Spain over lands to the west. This division had a significant impact on the colonization of the Americas. -
1495
John Cabot Discovered Newfoundland
John Cabot led the first British voyage under King Henry VII patent and discovered Newfoundland (modern day Canada), beginning of Britain transatlantic exploration. -
1496
Vasco da Gama's New Route to India
Vasco da Gama sailed to India by Rounding Africa's Cape of Good Hope. He also established Portuguese presence in South and East Africa and India. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
Age of Exploration
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1516
Juan Diaz de Solis Explored the Rio de la Plata
On October 8, 1515, Juan Diaz de Solis led three ships out of Sanlcar de Barrameda, Spain, with a crew of 70 men and enough food for two and a half years. He arrived to the Ro de la Plata estuary in February 1516 and named it Mar Dulce (Fresh Sea). -
1519
Conquest of the Aztecs
In the early 16th century, Hernán Cortés led Spanish forces to conquer the Aztec Empire in Mexico. Through alliances, military campaigns, and the siege of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, they succeeded in establishing Spanish colonial rule in the region, fundamentally reshaping the Americas' history and culture. -
Oct 21, 1520
Ferdinand Magellan Founded the Magellan Strait
Ferdinand Magellan sailed around Cape of the Virgins (Cabo Vrgenes, Argentina) on October 21, 1520, and at roughly 52°50′ S he reached the waterway that would later become known as the strait that bears his name. The Strait of Magellan is named in honor of Ferdinand Magellan, the first European to cross the Strait in 1520. -
Mar 1, 1524
Verrazzano Explored the Eastern Coast in Modern Day US (Provided Details of the Area’s Geography to European Cartographers)
Verrazzano revealed information unknown to European cartographers in his description of his 1524 journey to the North American continent and investigation of the coast from Florida to Newfoundland. His discoveries influenced the design and appearance of maps used by explorers who came after him. He arrived at Cape Fear, North Carolina, on March 1st and traveled north to search the coastline. -
1526
The Establishment of Triangular Trade (Atlantic Slave Trade)
The establishment of the triangular trade, also known as the Atlantic Slave Trade, profoundly impacted the course of history. This brutal system, spanning from the 16th to the 19th centuries, saw the forced migration of millions of Africans to the Americas, forever altering demographics, economies, and cultures on three continents and contributing to the growth of modern capitalism. -
1532
Conquest of the Inca
Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, conquered the Inca Empire in the early 16th century, starting in 1532. This marked the end of the Inca civilization and the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in Peru. -
1534
The French Colonized Part of Canada Named New France
The French colonization of New France, encompassing regions like Quebec and Montreal, holds profound historical importance as it laid the cultural and linguistic foundations for modern-day Canada. The legacy of New France endures through the enduring influence of French language, law, and culture in the Canadian identity, contributing to the country's rich multicultural tapestry. -
Jun 9, 1534
Jacques Cartier Founded St. Lawrence River
On June 9, 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier entered the St. Lawrence River for the first time. Cartier's expeditions supported France's claims to Canada because King Francis I of France had sent him to explore the northern countries in search of gold, spices, and a northern route to Asia. -
Dec 15, 1577
Sir Francis Drake Completed the Second Circumnavigation of the Globe
Between 15 December 1577 and 26 September 1580, Francis Drake's circumnavigation, also known as Drake's Raiding Expedition, was a significant maritime historical occurrence. Drake departed from England with five ships on December 13, 1577, with the intention of raiding Spanish possessions along the Pacific coast of the New World. Drake abandoned two of his ships in South America after sailing across the Atlantic, while the other three went into the Straits of Magellan. -
The British East India Company Established in 1600
The British East India Company was established on December 31, 1600, when Queen Elizabeth I granted a royal charter to a group of English merchants. This charter granted the company a monopoly on English trade with the East Indies (which included parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia) for a period of 15 years. The company played a significant role in British imperial expansion and trade in Asia for nearly 250 years until it was dissolved in 1874. -
The Dutch East India Company Established in 1602 as a Charter Trading Company
The establishment of the Dutch East India Company in 1602 as a charter trading company marked a watershed moment in global commerce. It pioneered the concept of joint-stock companies and played a pivotal role in Dutch dominance in Asian trade, notably in the lucrative spice trade, while also shaping early models of multinational corporations. -
English Settlers Found Virginia and Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Virginia Colony, officially called the Colony of Virginia, was established on May 14, 1607, with the founding of Jamestown. It was the first permanent English settlement in North America. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded on September 17, 1630, when John Winthrop led a fleet of 11 ships carrying over 700 passengers to the New World. They established the city of Boston and surrounding towns. -
Samuel de Champlain Founded Quebec
In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River, establishing one of the earliest European settlements in North America. This marked the beginning of French colonization in the region, and Quebec quickly became a pivotal hub for the fur trade and a center of French colonial activity. The establishment of Quebec City was a significant event that laid the foundation for French exploration and the development of New France, contributing to what is now called Canada. -
Hudson Landed in Modern-Day New York and Founded the Hudson River, Hudson Strait, and Hudson Bay
Henry Hudson, an English sailor and explorer, undertook four expeditions to North America between 1607 and 1611. He explored the northern coast of America on his third expedition in 1609 and sailed up a large river now known as the Hudson River. In addition, he explored Hudson Bay and the Hudson Strait by boat. -
Dutch Government Chartered West India Company to Establish New Netherlands
The Dutch West India Company (WIC) was chartered by the Dutch government on June 3, 1621. Its primary purpose was to establish and manage Dutch colonies and trade ventures in the Americas, including the region that became known as New Netherland. The WIC played a central role in the colonization of this area, which included parts of what is now the northeastern United States, such as New Amsterdam (present-day New York City). -
British Seized the Colony of New Netherlands
In 1664, during the Second Anglo-Dutch War, British forces led by Richard Nicolls captured the Dutch colony of New Netherland, renaming it New York. This marked the end of Dutch rule in the region, and New York remained under English control until the American Revolution. -
British East India Company Ruled Over India in 1757
The British East India Company's victory in the Battle of Plassey in 1757 marked a pivotal moment in Indian history. It established the Company as a dominant force, leading to its eventual control over large parts of the Indian subcontinent and setting the stage for nearly two centuries of British colonial rule, profoundly shaping India's socio-political and economic landscape.