Age of Exploration

  • 1415

    1415 Portuguese Capture of Ceuta

    Portugal's capture of Ceuta in North Africa was seen as the beginning of European expansion. Opened doors for trade routes and access to resources in Europe
  • 1488

    1488 Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope

    Became the first European around the southern tip of Africa. This was led to a established sea route to Asia which reduced the reliance on land-based trade.
  • 1492

    1492 Christopher Columbus Reaches the Americas

    Christopher Columbus's voyage was sponsored by Spain. This created the link between Europe and the Americas. Launched the Columbian Exchange of plants, animals, and diseases this reshaped both hemispheres of the world.
  • 1494

    1494 Treaty of Tordesillas

    Between Spain and Portugal this divided the new discovered lands outside of Europe. This showed the competition among European powers
  • 1498

    1498 Vasco da Gama Reaches India

    This voyage to India was successful and established a direct maritime trade route, expanding Europe’s access to spices and other valuable goods.
  • Period: 1519 to 1522

    1519–1522 – Magellan’s Expedition

    Magellan circumnavigate the globe. This expedition proved the world was round and interconnected, marking the first true instance of global navigation.
  • 1521

    1521 Conquest of the Aztec Empire

    Hernan Cortes led the Spanish to the conquest of the Aztec Empire this brought vast wealth to Spain but also devastated native populations through warfare and disease.
  • 1602 Creation of the Dutch East India Company

    one of the first multinational corporations, this highlighted how trade and commerce fueled early globalization.
  • 1607 Establishment of Jamestown Settlement

    This was the first English settlement in North America became part of the transatlantic economy, set the stage for English expansion and global trade.
  • 1619 First Enslaved Africans Arrive in Virginia

    Was marked as the beginning of institutionalized slavery in English North America, tying the colonies into the global Atlantic system of labor, trade, and cultural exchange. It set lasting economic and demographic changes in motion.