Exploration and Contact Timeline

  • Zheng He Takes First Voyage
    Sep 17, 1405

    Zheng He Takes First Voyage

    Zheng He's First of Many Voyages, Founded by the Chinese
  • Prince Henry Founds First Navigation School
    Feb 28, 1419

    Prince Henry Founds First Navigation School

    Explorer Prince Henry Starts the First School for Oceanic Navigation
  • Ming China adopts isolationist policy following Zheng He’s seventh voyage
    Sep 18, 1433

    Ming China adopts isolationist policy following Zheng He’s seventh voyage

    Ming China isolated themselves from the rest of the world, to keep outs foreigners and missionaries. There was only access to China through 3 ports.
  • Christopher Columbus lands in Hispaniola
    Sep 17, 1492

    Christopher Columbus lands in Hispaniola

    In 1492, Christopher Colombus accidentaly discovers America
  • : Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas
    Sep 17, 1494

    : Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas

    Portugal and Spain Agree On the Location of the Line of Demarcation
  • Vasco da Gama reaches India
    Sep 17, 1498

    Vasco da Gama reaches India

    Explorer Vasco de Gama reaches India, while also discovering spices, rare silk, and precious gems.
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun of Japan

    Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun of Japan

    Tokagawa Ieyasu Becomes the Last Military Leader of Japan
  • Manchus establish Qing Dynasty in China

    Manchus establish Qing Dynasty in China

    After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, a new Dynasty Rose in China, established by the Manchus, trying to do what the Ming had failed to do