European Explorations of the East

Portuguese gains control of Ceuta.

Sep 13, 1415

Portugal is strong enough to expand into Muslim north Africa and they seize control of the coastal city of Ceuta. This inspired Prince Henry to organize voyages

Cape Verde

Sep 15, 1445

The Portuguese explore Denis Dias is the first European to sail to Africa's most western point which he names Cape Verde

Congo River

Jan 1, 1482

Diago Cao Explore the west coast of Africa and discovers the mouth of the Congo River

Batholoumeu Dias of Portugal

Jan 1, 1488

The first European to sail from Iberian Peninsula to the southern tip of Africa

Vasco do Gama reaches India

May 20, 1498

Da Gama reaches India after rounding Africa. They lose a lot of ships. They come back with a cargo spices, and they can reach Asia markets.

Da Gama forces a treaty with leader of Calicut

Jan 1, 1502

Thanks to success in India, da Gama is able to get a new fleet. He forces a treaty with the leader of Calicut, and leaves merchants to set trade for spice merchants.

Portugal seizes Malacca

Aug 24, 1511

The Portuguese begin to capture key ports around the Indian ocean. The seize Malacca in 1511, which allows them to ally with Asian leaders.

East Indies

Jan 1, 1602

Wybrand van Warwijck established the first East India Company's settlement in the East Indies at Bantam

Australia

Jan 1, 1605

Willem Janz discovers Australia while exploring the east Indies for the Dutch East India Company

East Indies

Jan 1, 1618

Jan Pieterszoon Coen establishes Dutch colonial control of the East Indies He founds the town of Batavia as the capital of the empire.