European Exploration from 1450-1600

European Exploration

Period: Dec 3, 1450 to Dec 3, 1600

The Europeans and other cultures wanted to find an easier way to do trade with the other cultures. I am only focusing on the European exploration though.

Christopher Columbus

Oct 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus set sail on August 3, 1492. A few months later, a sailor on the Pinta saw land. He was the first European ( he was the first person recorded to reach the New World) since the Vikings to "discover" the New World. Christopher actually never set foot on American soil. Instead, he made several voyages to the West Indies.

Amerigo Vespucci

Dec 6, 1492

Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian map maker. He made several voyages to South America and the Carribean.Vespucci was a skilled navigator. As a trader, he was very interested in finding a quicker way to sail to Asia. He went on at least two to four, voyages to Central and South America between 1497 and 1504 for Spain and Portugal. America was named after him.

John Cabot

May 2, 1497

John Cabot was the first European besides the Vikings to explore the mainland of North America. He was also the first to search for the Northwest Passage. The idea that a northern route existed started the search for the Northwest Passage to the Indies.

Pedro Alvarez Cabral

Dec 6, 1500

Pedro Alvarez Cabral explored eastern South America in the 1500's and claimed it for Portugal. This region was the only part of the Western Hemisphere that was claimed by Portugal. He also discovered Brazil and conquered it. After he conquered Brazil, he called it "Island of the True Cross."

Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Dec 6, 1501

Vasco Nunez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer. He sailed to present-day Panama in Central America. In 1513, he crossed over Panama and reached the Pacific Ocean. He had to take apart all of his boats and haul them over the mountains in Panama.

Juan Ponce de Leon

Dec 4, 1513

Juan Ponce de Leon was the first conquistador to reach what is now present day United States. In 1513, he led an expedition to present day Florida. Juan was looking for a "fountain of youth". Legend said that a "fountain of youth" would make old people young again.

Hernando Cortes

Aug 13, 1521

Hernando Cortes was a Spanish conquistador. He was able to defeat the powerful Aztec Empire. He persuaded the neighboring Indian nations that had already been conquered by the Aztecs to join his army. Contact with the Spanish had infected the Aztec army with a disease. Hernando used guns, horses, and steel armor to defeat the weakened Aztec army. Cortes soon controlled the whole entire Aztec Empire.

Hernando de Soto

Dec 4, 1539

In 1539, Spain sent Hernando de Soto, a conquistador, to conquer and to settle Florida and all of the lands beyond. He was the first European explorer to reach the Mississippi River. Hernando de Soto died in 1542, and hadn't started any settlements.

Francisco Vaquez de Cornando

Dec 4, 1540

Francisco Vaquez de Cornando led an expedition to North America. He was a conquistador. He was looking for cities of gold that he had heard about in legends. Francisco and his soldiers were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon in Arizona. While searching for the cities of gold, Francisco and his soldiers traveled over 3,500 miles.

Francis Drake

Dec 13, 1577

Francis Drake was a pirate and an explorer for England. He was the second person to circumnavigate the world. Spain was about to invade England. England was prepared for Spain's attack. Then in 1588, the Spanish Armada sailed to England to attack. When the Spanish Armada appeared off the coast of England, Francis Drake led the English into battle. Francis and the other English ships attacked the Spanish Armada. England defeated the Spanish Armada.