Exploration Timeline

By hiyou
  • Jan 1, 1400

    Europeans Seek New Trade Routes

    Europeans Seek New Trade Routes
  • Jan 1, 1419

    The Portuguese Explore Africa

    The Portuguese Explore Africa
    Prince Henry supports exploration. He founds a navigation school on the coast
  • Jan 1, 1460

    Portuguese have trading posts along west coast of Africa

    Portuguese have trading posts along west coast of Africa
  • Jan 1, 1488

    Dias sails around southern tip of Africa

    Dias sails around southern tip of Africa
  • Jan 1, 1492

    A Rival Power

    A Rival Power
    Christopher Columbus sails for Spain
  • Jan 1, 1493

    pope divides these lands between Spain and Portugal

    pope divides these lands between Spain and Portugal
  • Jan 1, 1494

    Treaty of Tordesillas was signed

    Treaty of Tordesillas was signed
  • Jan 1, 1498

    Vasco da Gama sails to India

    Vasco da Gama sails to India
  • Jan 1, 1499

    Vasco da Gama returns to Portugal with valuable cargo

    Vasco da Gama returns to Portugal with valuable cargo
  • Jan 1, 1509

    Portugal takes over Indian Ocean trade

    Portugal takes over Indian Ocean trade
    by defeating Muslims
  • Jan 1, 1510

    Portugal captures Goa, port city

    Portugal captures Goa, port city
    in western India
  • Jan 1, 1511

    Portugal seizes Malacca, on Malay Peninsula

    Portugal seizes Malacca, on Malay Peninsula

  • Dutch set up trade headquarters at Batavia, on Java

    Dutch set up trade headquarters at Batavia, on Java

  • Japan Returns to Isolation

    Japan Returns to Isolation
    The Tokugawa regime unifies Japan and begins 250 years of isolation, autocracy, and economic growth.

  • China Limits European Contacts

    China Limits European Contacts
    Advances under the Ming and Qing dynasties leave China uninterested in European contact.