European Explorers

Christopher Columbus

An Italian navigator who was funded by the Spanish Government to find a passage to the Far East. He is given credit for discovering the "New World," even though at his death he believed he had made it to India. The first sighting of land was on October 12, 1492, when he saw a small island in the Bahamas and made three other journeys until the time of his death in 1503. Led to the Columbian Exchange.

Vasco Da Gama

Portuguese commander of first ships sailing directly to India from Europe (through the tip of Africa). He brought great wealth to his country and became governor.

Juan Ponce de Leon

Spanish Explorer who discovered and named Florida while searching for the "Fountain of Youth" and gold. Might have sailed on one of Columbus' expeditions. Returned to make a Spanish colony, and died of a native's poison arrow. Also built settlements in Hispanola and visited Puerto Rico.

Hernan Cortes

Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs and conquered Mexico (1485-1547). When he first came, natives thought he was a god (armor and 500 soldiers). Took advantage of smallpox, killed appox. 100,000 natives, and built Mexico City on the site.

Fransisco Pizarro

Spanish explorer who led the conquest of the Inca Empire of Peru in 1531-1533. Founded new capital Lima. Collected 3 rooms full of gold in exchange for the leader of the empire, but killed him anyway. Conquered most of South America

Jaques Cartier

French explorer, found the St. Lawrence River and laid claim to Canada as a French possession (1534). Discovered beaver fur was profitable and sold beaver fur hats. First explorer of New World to acknowledge that it was separate from Europe and Asia.

Queen Elizabeth I

First English Queen to attempt colonization in the New World and funded/supported exploration and British navy. Led the defeat of Spanish Armada, and valued conquer and exploration of new lands.

1492

the discovery of America by Christopher Colombus

1619

The beginning of slavery in America

Francis Drake

English explorer who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I. Was 2nd in command when defeating Spanish Navy (which would make English forever dominant). Was the first Englishman to fully circumnavigate the globe.

Ferdinand Magellan

Portuguese explorer that made expedition from Atlantic to Pacific. His ship and crew completed the first ever circumnavigation of the world although he died during the journey.

Zheng He

Chinese explorer who commanded voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa. Valued maritime exploration, foreign diplomacy, and military affairs. Visited over 30 countries. Was great at trade and commandeering.

Prince Henry

English prince that was also known as The Navigator. Encouraged his father to conquer Ceuta, a Muslim trade center. Additionally, he learned opportunities from Saharan trade and opened a school for navigators and map-makers, and employed cartographers to map out Mauritania