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Mar 8, 1347
The First Guns Appear
In Europe, the first guns appear and come to be part of exploration. The guns were not very accurate. The range of aim could go anywhere and the back fire was dangerous for the person shooting as well. But with the loud noise and big spark of fire the guns scared to native people of the Americas into fearing the Europeans greatly. -
Nov 11, 1390
Canerbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the book "Canterbury Tales". It is about how to put together and use the astrolabe. This instrument helped seamen navigate by using the stars. Without the astrolabe some sailors would not be able to figure out where they are so they would not know how to get where they want to go. -
Nov 11, 1400
Sailing Ships Improve
Before this time, exploration was mainly on land because ships were not built as well. When ships became more advanced people were able to go further distances. After these improvements, exploration launched itself and the known world grew so much larger than people imagined. The Europeans were able to try new things that they could not have done without the new ships. -
May 14, 1406
Ptolomey Map is Found
The geographer, Ptolomy, had made a map of the world, but it disappeared. It was rediscovered at this time and became the best map of the world. Christopher Columbus used this map and because the Americas were not discovered yet he thought he could get to Asia by sailing west from Europe. It was not until later that the Americas were founded for their true continent. -
Jun 26, 1492
West Indies are Discovered and Compasses are Changed
Christopher Columbus sails west and reaches the West Indies. With this trip, Columbus proved that his idea was fruitful even though so many supporters turned him down. Also, on the way there, he discovers a change in compasses. As the longitude changes the direction changes on the compass, too.This changes the way a compass is used. -
Dec 5, 1498
America is Discovered
After, Christopher Columbus got back from his first trip he went on another one. He went in the same direction, but landed in a different place. This time the continent of America. But because he was using Ptolomy's map, he thought it was Asia so he never knew that he found a new land. -
Apr 30, 1499
South America Becomes its Own Instead of Asia
Amerigo Vespucchi travled to what Columbus believed was Asia. He explored all along the coast and mapped out what he found. Then, looking over his map, he realized he did not just exxplore Asia. It was a new continent. Because he was the first to realize what America was, it was named after him. -
Feb 28, 1509
Greenland and the Hudson Bay are Explored
Sebastian Cabot explored the coast of Greenland. He found that it did not live up to its name and instead it was very cold and icy. When he got to the side of Greenland, Cabot traveled into the Hudson Bay. At the time, he did not know how important it would be, but today it is a major part of America and Canada. -
May 7, 1513
Pacific Ocean and Florida
Balboa traveled through Central America. He made his way through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific Ocean. He was the first to see it and therefore the founder. Also at this time, Ponce de Leon landed ion Florida and made it known to the world. -
Sep 20, 1514
Smallpox
Having different living conditions, Europeans and Americans had different types of immune systems. When Europeans came in contact with the native Americans, smallpox was spread to people who has never seen it before. Haviing not been exposed to it before, many Americans died of it. This gave the Europeans less people to take land from, but moe infuriated people, too. -
Jan 25, 1521
Aztec Empire Falls
Spanish forces had already seen the Aztec Empire, but hey were not able to make it a Spanish territory. Finally, Spain was able to destroy the empire and either kill the people or take them as slaves. Before they made it fall, they made the Indians give them as much gold as they could get. Then the Spanish people took over and created a New Spain. -
Jul 16, 1533
Incas are Taken Over
Pizzaro, a retired Conquistador, finds the Inca Empire on a trip. He surprise attacks them and even though he has very few men and the Incas have thousands, Pizzaro wins. He captures Atahualpa and uses him as a way to get gold. Then, when Pizzaro has enough gold, he kills Atahualpa and gives more land to Spain. -
Aug 6, 1535
Lima, Peru
Spanish conquerors landed in the west coast of South America. One of the conquerors was Hernando de Sotot. He was asked to go along and was not at the head of the expedition, but he still helped conquer what is now Peru. The first place they took over they named Lima. -
Oct 22, 1542
North America
France did not have much to do with South America, but they did with North America. Giovanni Verrazano explored the coast of North America for France. They learned much of the fur trade and were able to make a lot of money from this. With Verrazano's exploration, France took a step new in exploration. -
Australia
At this time, Dutch explorers discovered Australia, but it was just the beginning. Once people knew that a new continent had been discovered they started going to it. Around fifty discoverors, conquerors as well as merchants went to see what Australia had to offer. Now the world could add another continent to its maps. -
Reasons: Part 1
Each of these events contributed greatly to exploration. When these men discovered new lands, like the Americas and Australia, a new beginning was made for all different kinds of people, the discoverors who became rich and famous, the natives who were killed or enslaved and the people back home who got riches or a place to start over. Also, when people explored these lands, they found new things inside of them like plants and animals that were never heard of or people with a different culture. -
Reasons: Part 2
There was always a surprise to come upon. Lastly, things like guns being invented and smallpox spreading gave Europeans advantages over the people they came in contact with. Civilizations could easily be destroyed with new technologies. So, by having these advantages, they were able to take over and name the land that was discovered. All three of these things moved the age of exploration along into making the known world complete.
