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Nov 13, 1346
The Black Death
The Black Death was a devistating plague that killed millions of people in Europe in the mid 14th century. One third of the European popluation was killed by a disease carried by fleas riding on the backs of mice. The plague was able to spread because the infected mice hitched rides on trading ships and easily hopped from port city to port city. -
Nov 13, 1400
Sailing Ships
In the 15th century builders began to make great changes to sailing ships. The ships were able to sail farther out to sea, carry more men and cargo, and things of the sort. These improvements would lead to the developement of ships that could sail vast distances. -
Nov 13, 1406
Lost Map Found
In the early 15th century the long-lost map of the world drawn in the 2nd century by the geographer Ptolemy was rediscovered. This map then became the greatest and most accurate map in the world. It is this, 1300 year old map, that makes Christopher Columbus believe that he can sail West from Europe and reach Asia. -
Nov 13, 1420
Caravels
The caravels were developed in the 15th century. The first are built in the 1420's and allow for great distances to be sailed by the sailors controling them. For the first time Asian ships are able to sail around the Cape of Good Hope and reach the Atlantic Ocean. -
Nov 13, 1453
Constantinople = Captured
Mulsim Turks captured Constantinople in the 1450's. Some historians use the date of the capture as the start of the Renaissance. The Renaissance marked the time when the age of Exploration started. -
Nov 14, 1492
West Indies = Discovered
Christopher Columbus discovered the West Indies in the New World in 1492. He also discovered that compasses change direction as the latitude changes. This movement was later found to be the effect of a difference in magnetic north and the actuall north. -
Nov 14, 1494
Split in New World
In 1494 a treaty was signed that split the undiscovered New World between Portugal and Spain. This treaty was called the Treaty of Tordesillas. -
Nov 14, 1498
America = Discovered
In 1498 Christopher Columbus finds the American continent next to the previously discovered West Indies. However, Columbus believes that he has found part of Asia. -
Nov 14, 1499
America = NEW!
In the year 1499 Amerigo Vespucci went exploring around the continent of South America. He then found that America was a continent in and of itself and completely seperate from Asia. -
Nov 14, 1507
America is now called America
In the year 1507 a new map was created that uses the name America for the southern continent. This name was used because of the explorer, Amerigo Vespucci. -
Nov 14, 1513
Balboa Sees the Pacific
In 1513 Balboa crossed the Isthmuth of Panama. He then became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, Ponce de Leon was landing his ship on the Floridian Peninsula in North America. -
Nov 14, 1514
Smallpox = Bad
Beginning in 1514, the highly contageous Smallpox disease spread over the New World and killed thousands of Natives. The disease was brought by Europeans in the early sixteenth century and, at one point, was spread on purpose to destroy the natives. -
Nov 14, 1522
Magellan Returns
In 1522 the last remaining ship that participated in Magellan's circumnavigation of the world returned to Spain. This was the last of the original five ships. The moment the crew of seventeen men returned to Spain the first voyage around the world came to an end. -
Period: Nov 14, 1577 to Nov 14, 1580
Sir Francis Drake Copies Magellan
In 1577 Sir Francis Drake leaves from London, England to begin his circumnavigation of the world. After traveling all the way around the world he returns to London in 1580. He is known as the first Englishmen to circumnavigate the globe. -
Australia = Discovered
In 1606 the previously undiscovered land of Australia was discovered. There are no records of any prior visits to the Australian continent. The first outsiders on the continent were the Dutch explorers that discovered the new land mass. -
Why I chose the dates! (I know you're curious.)
I chose these fifteen events in history because they all hold significant in the Age of Exploration. Most are important discoveries such as the discovery of Australia, the Americas, America's distinction from Asia, etc. Others involve important firsts: Magellan's circumnavigation, Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation, etc. The others have a distinct connection to the Age of Exploration like the Black Death, the Renaissance, and others of the sort.
