-
Prince Henry started a school for navigators, which helped sailors explore new parts of Africa and the Atlantic. This started the big push into exploration.
-
Columbus's journey across the Atlantic led to first contact/exposure to the Americas, leading to the Columbian Exchange.
-
Animals, plants, and disease moved between the world. This affected diets, populations, and economies everywhere.
-
Portugal and Spain agreed on dividing the world between them, showing how important exploration had become for wealth and power.
-
John Cabot's travels and exploration of North America gave England a claim to the New World. This led to setting the stage for future colonies.
-
Vasco da Gama's route through the sea helped Europe trade directly with Asia. This changed global trade forever.
-
Europe, Africa, and the Americas became linked through trade. Goods, people, and ideas moved across the ocean, shaping the modern world.
-
Hernán Cortés conquest led to Spain's domination of Mexico. This showed how exploration often led to the takeover of the natives of the land.
-
Ferdinand Magellan's travels around the world proved that the Earth was round and connected. This changed the view on geography.
-
The British East India Company was created, which showed how exploration was now about business and trade.