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Diaz was the first European explorer so sail around the southern coast of Africa successfully. He was sent by Portuguese King John and opened the way for a sea route from Europe to Asia. -
Christopher Columbus wanted to reach Asia by sailing westward. Instead, he reached the Americas. -
Da Gama discovered an all-water route from Europe to India. This made it possible for Europeans to obtain goods without relying on overland routes. -
John Cabot, a Venetian explorer and navigator sailed to North America. There, he claimed land in Canada for Europe. -
Magellan, and others sailed around South America and across the Pacific, proving the Earth was round -
During his journey, Cortes befriended the Aztec Emperor, Montezuma. -
After gaining their trust, Cortes conquered the Aztecs and claimed Mexico on behalf of Spain. -
Verrazano was not the first to discover the river, but he went further and went all the way to to modern day Albany, New York. -
The Spanish forced the conquered Indians to accept the Christian religion and to labor for their new rulers. -
He was the first European to encounter the St. Lawrence River in present-day Quebec -
The merchants landed in the southern archipelago of Japan after their ship went off course. -
Leader of an expedition. Drake discovered that the land south of Magellan Strait was not a continent as the Europeans believed but a group of islands. -
After being sent out by the East India Company, Jacob van Neek and his fleet found the Spice Islands.
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English men arrived in North America at Jamestown, Virginia to start a settlement. -
On behalf of the Dutch East India Company, he lands and explores modern day New York.
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The Dutch had founded New Netherland the Dutch West India Company gained control over the land.
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The Puritans came to practice their own beliefs and avoid persecution. -
Vitus Bering was sent on voyages by the Russian Navy in order to map Russia's coast and the North Pacific.
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He introduced Ethiopia to the Western World and found the source of the Blue Nile. -
He followed the river 1000 miles through the African interior, and his description of Africa from his travels made Europe interested in the continent.