The Age of Exploration

The Conquest of Cueta

1415

João the First of Portugal leads a fleet of warships to seize the port city of Cueta, capturing it with ease. This is seen as the beginning of the Age of Exploration.

The Passing of Henry the Navigator

1460

Despite his epithet, Prince Henry was not an explorer or seafaring man, rather he is remembered for the extreme patronage that allowed for the opening of the Age of Exploration.

Passing the Cape of Good Hope

1488

The explorer Bartholomew Dias under the backing of João II, king of Portugal, passed the Cape of Good Hope. This results in the possibility of trade between Europe and India overseas.

Seeking a Route to the Indies

1492

The Italian Christopher Columbus finally convinced Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Portugal to back his voyage in hopes of finding a faster route to India with the promise of riches. This results in the modern day discovery of the New World.

The Line of Demarcation

1493

Upon the return of Columbus from his voyage, Pope Alexander VI was petitioned to divide the world with the Line of Demarcation where Spain had rights to land east of the line and Portugal had rights to land west of it.

The Treaty of Tordesillas

1494

Due to the dispute that arose upon Columbus's return to the Old World and the subsequent drawing of the Line of Demarcation, it was necessary for both the Spanish and the Portugese to officially validate the solution, resulting in the Treaty of Tordesilla

The Discovery of Newfoundland

1497

John Cabot exploring under Henry VII took two voyages to the New World. Aside from claiming Newfoundland for Henry and discovering signs of habitation the first voyage was essentially fruitless. It is believed the crew was caught in a severe storm during the second expedition in which Cabot perished.

Vasco de Gama Opens Route to India

1498

In essentially expanding upon the work of prior explorer Bartholomew Dias, Vasco de Gama completely went around Africa and reached the Indian trading post of Calicut

Claiming Brazil for Portugal

1500

Pedro Álvares Cabral was appointed leader of the first substantial expedition to modern day South America for Portugal where he claimed Brazil.

The Importation of Africans

1502

As the New World began the process of settling, a need arose for slaves to work a variety of jobs. Whereas in prior situations the native population was forced into slavery, the Spanish found Native Americans to not be populous and hardy enough. Africans were found to be plenty, cheap, and resilient to European diseases unlike Native Americans.

The Crossing of the Isthmus of Panama

1513

Vasco Núñez de Balboa is most renowned for his crossing of Panama in South America. In crossing the Isthmus, Balboa was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the American side.

Landing in Mexico

1519

The initial contact between the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and the indigenous people of Mexico was peaceful and began an alliance. This however was a front for the eventual fall of Tenochtitlan.

The Fall of Tenochtitlan

1521

The Aztec capital Tenochtitlan was the key point in Hernán Cortez's plan in overthrowing the empire. Along with treachery from kidnapping to false promise the Spanish also weakened the indigenous people with the introduction of smallpox and other European diseases. This deadly combination resulted in the possibility for a successful siege of the Aztec capital.

The Circumnavigaition of the World

1522

Led by Ferdinand Magellan, a crew of approximately 270 men spent three years in becoming the first to circumnavigate the world. By the time they returned only 18 members were still alive, among the dead was Magellan.

Toppling the Inca

1522

Much like the conquering of the Aztecs, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro used many of the same treacherous techniques and was motivated by many of the same reasons as his countryman Cortez in the toppling of the Incan empire over multiple expeditions.