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1492
Christopher Columbus Discovers the Americas
Columbus' first voyage to the Americas opened the gateway for European exploration and colonization in the New World, leading to the establishment of trade routes, new settlements, and the eventual exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. -
1498
Vasco da Gama Reaches India by Sea
Da Gama’s successful navigation to India via the Cape of Good Hope established the Portuguese as a dominant maritime power in the Indian Ocean, facilitating the spice trade and European influence in Asia, thus enhancing global trade routes. -
1522
Ferdinand Magellan’s Expedition Circumnavigates the Globe
Magellan’s expedition was the first known journey to circumnavigate the globe, proving that the world was round and connected through oceanic routes, which dramatically increased European global trade and exploration. -
1533
Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire
Led by Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire in South America resulted in the annexation of vast territories, bringing immense wealth to Spain and intensifying European colonization efforts in the Americas. -
Establishment of the British East India Company
The British East India Company was founded, marking the beginning of British imperial expansion in Asia, especially India. It played a major role in the creation of global trade networks for luxury goods such as tea, cotton, and silk. -
First African Slaves Arrive in Jamestown, Virginia
The arrival of African slaves in North America marked the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade, which became a cornerstone of the global economy, particularly in agricultural production in the Americas. -
Dutch Expansion and the Formation of the Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company became a powerful tool of global trade, helping the Netherlands to establish a dominant colonial presence in Southeast Asia and facilitating the global exchange of spices, textiles, and other goods. -
The Enlightenment and European Intellectual Exchange
The Enlightenment fostered a flow of ideas between Europe, the Americas, and Asia, contributing to intellectual exchanges that influenced politics, science, and economics. This era was crucial for the spread of concepts of liberty, democracy, and capitalism globally. -
The Industrial Revolution Begins
The Industrial Revolution in Britain brought about technological advancements that revolutionized global production, transportation, and communication, fueling further European colonization and the establishment of new global trade networks. -
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War marked the emergence of the United States as a global power, acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This shift in global power dynamics contributed to the growing influence of the West in shaping the modern world order.