Globalization and Exploration

  • Prince Henry's Navigator School
    1450

    Prince Henry's Navigator School

    This school was where explorers developed techniques to sail to Africa. Prince Henry sponsored Portugal's successful voyage to Africa, which then led others to want to achieve the same level of exploratory success. This was basically the start of the Age of Exploration/Discovery/Globalization. I chose this event, because this was an influence to many of the colonizing countries' interest in colonizing.
  • Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope
    1488

    Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope

    Bartolomeu Dias was forced south during his voyage to find a route to get spices from India without going through Muslim traders. Him and his crew passed by the tip of Africa, which he named the Cape of Good Hope, realizing that it was possible to do so. I chose this, because this was one of the first times, if not the first, someone found a route to Asia by going around Africa.
  • Columbus Finds the Americas/Columbian Exchange
    1492

    Columbus Finds the Americas/Columbian Exchange

    After getting Spanish Queen Isabella to sponsor his voyage, Columbus attempted to sail west to reach China and India, but actually discovered the Americas. / Along with his crew, he brought a plethora of animals, plants, and diseases. I chose this event, because it was the discovery and change of the New World.
  • Vasco da Gama Reaches India
    1497

    Vasco da Gama Reaches India

    Da Gama's voyage finally connected the east and west by sea, signaling the beginning of European colonization in Asia. This is also ended the Muslim's monopoly on spices. I chose this event, because it allowed the spread of spices and also a connection of the east and the west.
  • John Cabot Explores New Foundland
    1497

    John Cabot Explores New Foundland

    Cabot's intentions were to find another route to Asia by sailing north of where Columbus sailed, but ended up reaching mainland North America three times. I chose this, because he was one of the first ones to reach the mainland and not islands or extensions of the New World.
  • Vasco Nunez de Balboa Discovers the Pacific Ocean
    1513

    Vasco Nunez de Balboa Discovers the Pacific Ocean

    Balboa heard of rumors of gold to the west and put together an expedition to embark on it. The journey was tough, so as soon as they reached the ocean, he raised his sword and declared the Pacific and the lands touching it as Spain's. I chose this because he found a major sea.
  • Ferdinand Magellan's Circumnavigation
    1519

    Ferdinand Magellan's Circumnavigation

    The Spanish wanted to compete with the Portuguese, so they sent Magellan to find a route westward. Though he died in a battle in the Philippines, he was the first to circumnavigate the globe. I chose this, because he was the first one to do travel around the whole world in one trip.
  • Conquest of the Aztecs
    1521

    Conquest of the Aztecs

    Hernan Cortes had the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, captured and destroyed. This was significant, because it caused the expansion of the Spanish empire. I chose this, because it was a significant event in the New World.
  • Conquest of the Incas
    1532

    Conquest of the Incas

    Francisco Pizarro and his allies captured the last Sapa Inca at the Battle of Cajamarca. I chose this because this was a significant event to the New World and for the colonizers.
  • Jacques Cartier Discovers Canada
    1534

    Jacques Cartier Discovers Canada

    Cartier was sent to explore the New World away from the Spanish's claims and to potentially find a route to Asia as well, but he discovered Canada instead. He named it Canada, went three times, and discovered the St. Lawrence River. I chose this, because it was a discovery of a significant part of the New World.
  • Triangular Trade
    1562

    Triangular Trade

    A brutal system connecting Africa, Europe, and the Americas. I chose this because it was a significant time, in which exploration was connected from different continents.
  • Willem Janszoon Discovers Australia

    Willem Janszoon Discovers Australia

    He was originally sailing in order to find more islands and to trade with the East Indies, but he sailed past New Guinea and landed in Queensland and later traveled 13 years later to find it. I chose this because it's a discovery of a continent.
  • Jamestown: First Permanent English Settlement

    Jamestown: First Permanent English Settlement

    I chose this event, because this was when England really started focusing on colonizing and without this, America wouldn't be the way it is today.