Renaissance! Reformation! (and explorers too)

Columbus Discovers the New World

Aug 3, 1492

Columbus discover the new world under the funding of Ferdinand and Isabella

The Line of Demarcation divides the world between Spain and Portugal.

May 4, 1493

Spain and Portugal press rival claims to the lands Columbus explores, and in 1493 Pope Alexander VI steps in to keep the peace. He sets a Line of Demarcation, which divides the non-European world into two zones. Spain has trading and exploration rights in all lands west of the line, while Portugal has the same rights east of the line.

John Cabot lands on the east coast of North America

Jun 24, 1497

Hoping to find a northwest passage to Asia, explorer John Cabot sets out on a voyage from England. When he lands on the east coast of North America, he claims the land in the name of King Henry VII, mistakenly believing he is in Asia.

Vasco da Gama reaches India after rounding Africa

May 20, 1498

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reaches India after rounding the southern tip of Africa. Although the Portuguese lose half their ships and many sailors die on the voyage, the venture is highly profitable and he returns with a cargo of spices. His voyage shows Portugal can access Asian markets directly, instead of through indirect overland routes.

Martin Luther Posts the 95 thesis on the Church

Nov 4, 1517

Martin Luther (1483-1546) posts his 95 Theses on the door of Wittenburg Cathedral, in protest at the Catholic doctrine of indulgences and formally begins the Protestant Reformation.

Hernan Cortés lands in Mexico

Feb 4, 1520

Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernan Cortés lands on the coast of Mexico with 600 men, 16 horses, and a few cannons. While the Spaniards are vastly outnumbered by the Aztecs, they capture and demolish the capital city of Tenochtitlán in a brutal assault in 1521. Their actions inspire other conquistadors to conquer regions in the Americas

Diet of Worms

May 4, 1521

Luther appears at the Diet before Charles V, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, to to answer charges of heresy. On refusing to recant, he is declared a heretic and formally excommunicated from the Catholic Church by Pope Leo X. Frederick III, Elector of Saxony ensures that Luther is taken to the Wartburg Castle for his own safety.

Francisco Pizarro executes the last Inca emperor.

Aug 29, 1533

Inspired by the success of Cortés in Mexico, Francisco Pizarro arrives in Peru in 1532. He capitalizes on the unrest in the Incan empire and quickly captures the Inca emperor, whom he executes in 1533. The Spanish spread across Ecuador and Chile, adding much of South America to Spain's empire.

English merchants found the East India Company

Dec 31, 1600

Hoping to exploit trade in East and Southeast Asia and India, a group of English merchants form the East India Company by royal charter. With this company, the English break the Spanish and Portuguese monopoly of the East Indian spice trade. The company later becomes involved in politics and acts as an agent of British imperialism in India.

Dutch merchants found the Dutch East India Company

Mar 20, 1602

In the late 1500s, the Dutch set up colonies and trading posts around the world. A group of wealthy merchants found the Dutch East India Company, which furthers their quest to be the major European commercial power in the east. The company also comes into conflict with the English East India Company.