-
Christopher Columbus believed that Asia could be reached by sailing west from Europe. Christopher persuaded the king and queen of Spain to supply money for a trip of exploration.
-
Christopher led his first exploration westward. He landed in the Bahamas, he believed that these islands were near Asia.
-
King Henry VII sent John Cabot on a voyage to the west. The English thought that there might be a water route through the Americas that would lead to Asia.
-
Henry the Navigator was a sea captain and explorer who was directed to explore southward along the coast of Africa. He wanted someone to find a route around the continent to the Spice Islands, near India.
-
Columbus reached South America. A mapmaker labeled these parts of land "America" and the name stuck.
-
Henry the Navigator wanted sea captains to explore southward along Africa. He wanted someone to find a route around the continent of the Spice Islands. Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama found such a route and sailed all the way to India.
-
Cabot did not find Asia, although he did land on the far northern Atlantic coast of North America (Probably the island of Newfoundland). Like many other explorers, Cabot failed to find the Northwest Passage. For a while, Europeans gave up on their search for this route.
-
Following the years of Comlubus' voyages, a great interaction between the "New World" and the "Old World" was made. This interraction was an exchange between the two worlds which traded plants, animals, and even diseases. This caused the ways of life for the two worlds to change forever.
-
Spain was taking control of much of South and Central America and many of the Carribean Islands, which includes Cuba and Hispaniola. While this is happening, Spanish governers and explorers began to look northward.
-
A Spanish official in the New World. He explored and settled the island of Puerto Rico. Taking notice in Spain, Kind Ferdinand authorized Ponce de Leon to explore lands north of Cuba.
-
In early 1513 Ponce de Leon was directed to set out ships from Spain and go explore North of Cuba. Ponce de Leon then landed on the east coast of Florida and sailed northward along the Florida Keys and on the coast. Juan then explored Florida and later in 1522 decided to explplore more and claim Florida.
-
Juan Ponce de Leon's expedition revealed that large tracts of land ready for exploration were to the north of the Carribbean Islands.
-
Giovanni wrote a report of his explorations and voyages to King Francis I of France. Giovanni's report told about the excitement and danger of his journey, including the experiences of him as a young sailor.
-
King Francis I of France sent a Italian navigator westward. Giovanni first reached land at the North Carolina Outer Banks.