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1415
The Portuguese seize Ceuta, sparking interest in capturing Africa.
In the 1400’s, the Portuguese have enough power to take over northern Africa. During 1415, the government captured Ceuta, a western coastal town. This success inspires Prince Henry, known as Henry the Navigator, to find out more about Northern Africa. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus lands in the Caribbean, thinking that he has reached Asia.
After the success from the Portuguese, Spain financed Christopher Columbus to find a western trade route to Asia. Then Columbus arrived in the Caribbean in 1492, thinking that he had reached Asia. -
May 4, 1493
The Line of Demarcation introduced to calm down the fight between Spain and Portugal.
Spain and Portugal had fights, claiming the lands Columbus explored, and in 1493 Pope Alexander VI came in to try and make peace. He set a Line of Demarcation, which divided the world (except for Europe) in two. Spain had all the transporting rights and exploring rights, on the west side, and same with Portugal, but on the east side. -
Jun 7, 1494
Portugal seizes Brazil.
Even though Spain claimed land in South America, a large region remained out of their control. Portugal claimed Brazil in the Treaty of Tordesillas and issued grants of land to their royals. Then they started to farm Brazil wood and sugar. -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot lands in North America, thinking that he has reached Asia.
Praying that he would find a northwest passage to Asia, John Cabot (An English explorer) landed in the east coast of North America; He claims land (Naming it King Henry VII). However he thought that he was in Asia. -
May 20, 1498
Vasco da Gama finally reaches India after going around Africa.
Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama finally reaches India after going around the southern tip of Africa. Many ships sunk and many sailors died, but Da Gama still made a huge profit as he returns]ed with a whole cargo full of Indian spices. This showed the rest of Europe, that Portugal could access Asian markets, without having to do it indirectly. -
1502
Da Gama forces a treaty on the ruler of Calicut and sets up a trading post.
After Da Gama’s success in India, he started a new fleet and forced a treaty of cooperation on the ruler of Calicut, to set up trade with spice vendors. -
Aug 24, 1511
Portugal captures Malacca.
After Da Gama managed to set up a trading post, the Portuguese start to invade lots of places in the Indian Ocean. Then Portugal invades Malacca, this allowed them to ally with the Asian leaders and they created major ports for Asian transport. However, the brutality in Malacca makes them hated and feared. -
1519
Hernan Cortés lands in Mexico.
Hernan Cortés landed on the coast of Mexico with 600 men, over 15 horses and a few cannons. Even though the Spanish were outnumbered, they still managed to capture and destroy Tenochtitlán in a brutal war in 1521. -
Sep 8, 1522
The Vittoria completes its visit around the globe.
The Vittoria had managed to visit the whole world nearly three years since they first set out. Ferdinand Magellan and his crew lead the first expedition, but their ships crashed in open sea. -
Aug 29, 1533
Francisco Pizarro executes the last Inca emperor.
Francisco Pizarro arrived in Peru during 1532. He managed to capitalize the unrest with the Incan empire and captured the leader, who he executed in 1533. Then the Spanish spread across South America, adding a lot more countries to the Spanish empire. -
Jul 28, 1576
Martin Frobisher sights land in North America.
Determined to find northwest passage (using the Atlantic ocean) to get to Asia, the English explorer named Martin Frobisher sets sail to reach North America. In 1576 he arrives at a coast, (The coast is now called Labrador in Canada). But he still doesn’t find his passage after three journeys. -
English merchants found the East India Company.
Hoping to exploit trade from India, a group of English merchants form the East India Company. Using this company, the British break the monopoly for spices from the Spanish and Portuguese. The company then gets into politics and becomes an agent for British colonization in India. -
Dutch merchants found the Dutch East India Company.
The Dutch tried to copy the British by founding a company called the Dutch East India Company. This added to conflict in Europe of trying to be the most powerful country in the world. However the company had to back down because of the British East End Company.
