Timeline created by Kimberly Burgess with this Timeline Generator.
Viking Exploration in 986
In the late 900s, the Vikings began exploration to what is now the North American continent.
One of the well-known Vikings around this time was Erik the Red. He was banished from his home country of Iceland. From there, he moved to Greenland. His son, Leif Eriksson grew up hearing stories about the land mass which is now know as North American. He went out to explore the land, following the route that Bjarni Herjolfsson took. (Herjolfsson was blown off course before he could reach the land.) Eriksson was likely the first European to set foot on North American lands, though there are some records of unknown Icelanders visiting the land shortly before Eriksson.
One of the well-known Vikings around this time was Erik the Red. He was banished from his home country of Iceland. From there, he moved to Greenland. His son, Leif Eriksson grew up hearing stories about the land mass which is now know as North American. He went out to explore the land, following the route that Bjarni Herjolfsson took. (Herjolfsson was blown off course before he could reach the land.) Eriksson was likely the first European to set foot on North American lands, though there are some records of unknown Icelanders visiting the land shortly before Eriksson.
Spanish Exploration in 1492
"Columbus sailed the ocean blue in fourteen hundred ninety-two."
The journey of Christopher Columbus to the New World is probably what many people think about when they think of European exploration. Columbus, who had spent most of his life at sea, knew the world was round, and was determined to reach the West Indies without having to travel over land or all the way around the coast of Africa. He was searching for funds to support his journey to find this course. He eventually received financial backing and funding from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, rulers of Spain at the time.
When he set out looking for this new route, no one was expecting to find new lands - they were not even aware that these lands existed. The main goal was simply to improve business - gaining an advantage over all other European countries trading with the East.
Because of Columbus's discovery of these new lands, Spain got a lot more than just an advantage over other countries.
Finally, a few years after Columbus's first voyage, a direct route to the West Indies was discovered.
The journey of Christopher Columbus to the New World is probably what many people think about when they think of European exploration. Columbus, who had spent most of his life at sea, knew the world was round, and was determined to reach the West Indies without having to travel over land or all the way around the coast of Africa. He was searching for funds to support his journey to find this course. He eventually received financial backing and funding from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, rulers of Spain at the time.
When he set out looking for this new route, no one was expecting to find new lands - they were not even aware that these lands existed. The main goal was simply to improve business - gaining an advantage over all other European countries trading with the East.
Because of Columbus's discovery of these new lands, Spain got a lot more than just an advantage over other countries.
Finally, a few years after Columbus's first voyage, a direct route to the West Indies was discovered.
English Exploration in 1497
In 1497, Englishman John Cabot set sail in search for a shorter route to Asia from England. However, he landed in on the east coast of North America, and claimed the entire east coast of this land mass for England. The explorers in this group claimed that John Cabot was the first to reach mainland North America.
Portuguese Exploration in 1500
In the 15th Century, Portugal was leading Europe in the exploration of the world - ahead of everyone else.
The Treaty of Tordesillas was a treay between Spain and Protugal dividing the world into two territorial hemispheres for exploration - one to the Spanish, one to Portugal.
Pedro Alvares Cabral led a fleet of explorers across the South Atlantic in search for a route to India for trade. They ended up in a strange land, unlike anything they had seen before, and with bizarre-looking people. Cabral and his crew had discovered Brazil. This discovery led to the opening up of South America for further exploration and discovery.
The Treaty of Tordesillas was a treay between Spain and Protugal dividing the world into two territorial hemispheres for exploration - one to the Spanish, one to Portugal.
Pedro Alvares Cabral led a fleet of explorers across the South Atlantic in search for a route to India for trade. They ended up in a strange land, unlike anything they had seen before, and with bizarre-looking people. Cabral and his crew had discovered Brazil. This discovery led to the opening up of South America for further exploration and discovery.
French Exploration in 1524
France began colonizing the Americas in the 16th century. The ultimate goal of the French was passage to the Pacific Ocean and the gaining of wealth. The areas of colonization were the North American east coast, some Caribbean islands, and in South America. In these colonies, developments were made for the exportation of products such as fish, sugar, and furs.
Some forts and settlements would become established cities in today's world. These cities include Quebec and Montreal in Canada, Detroit, St. Louis, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and others in the United States, and Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien in Haiti.
Some forts and settlements would become established cities in today's world. These cities include Quebec and Montreal in Canada, Detroit, St. Louis, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and others in the United States, and Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien in Haiti.
English Exploration in 1577
In 1577, Sir France Drake, an English admiral set out to explore the Strait of Magellan. He sailed around the coast of South America to present-day California, claiming it for Queen Elizabeth I. His exploration crew was credited as the first successful travels around the world. Sir Francis Drake was later knighted by the queen for his successes.
English Colonization in 1607
Captain John Smith was one of the founders of Jamestown, Virginia, an English settlement. He also led many expeditions for exploring Chesapeake Bay and the coast of New England. He and around 100 others reached North America in 1607, and when they reached the land, they opened a set of instructions that had been sealed - only to be opened once they reached the New World - and discovered that Smith was to be one of the seven leaders of this colony. The establishment was made on May 24, 1607, and became the first permanent English settlement in North America.
English Exploration in 1609
This expedition was led by Henry Hudson - a man who wanted to find a passage directly across the North American continent. He sailed from England to present-day Canada. HE was unable to find a course across that area of the continent. He did, however, add to knowledge of the Arctic and North America that Europe already had. He also discovered the Hudson Bay in 1610.