New World Exploration and Discovery

By Zachary Rehg
  • Oct 12, 1492

    Christopher Columbus discovers the “New World”

    Columbus lands in the Bahamas, "discovering" America.
  • Jun 7, 1494

    The Treaty of Tordesillas is Created

    The Treaty of Tordesillas drew a line passing through modern day Brazil from pole to pole. East of the line belonged to Portugal, and west of the line belonged to Spain. The treaty was meant to settle a dispute between Spain and Portugal about who the land discovered by Columbus belonged to.
  • Aug 10, 1519

    Magellan Leaves On His Voyage

    Ferdinand Magellan leaves Seville, Spain on his expedition to circumnavigate the globe.
  • Apr 27, 1521

    Magellan Is Killed

    Magellan is killed after getting himself and his crew involved in local warfare in the Philippines. What's left of his crew finishes the voyage.
  • Aug 13, 1521

    Fall of the Aztec Empire

    Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor surrenders to Cortes.
  • Jul 26, 1533

    Emperor Atahualpa is Killed

    Emperor Atahualpa is killed in battle, ending Incan rule by Incas.

  • Samuel De Champlain Establishes Quebec

    After sailing up the St. Lawrence River, Champlain found a spot to build a wooden fort. That spot was the future site of Quebec City.