The Age of Exploration, which lasted from the 15th to the 17th centuries, was marked by a series of voyages undertaken by European powers in search of new trade routes and territories. These voyages were made possible by advances in shipbuilding and navigational techniques, including the development of the astrolabe, compass, and carrack.
2. Portuguese Exploration
The Portuguese were among the first European explorers to venture into the Atlantic Ocean. In 1419, Prince Henry the Navigator established a school of navigation in Sagres, Portugal, and sponsored a series of expeditions down the coast of Africa. In 1497, Vasco da Gama reached India by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
3. Spanish Exploration
The Spanish were also active in exploration during this time. In 1492, Christopher Columbus made landfall in the Bahamas, believing he had reached Asia. His voyages led to the establishment of Spanish colonies in the Americas, including Mexico and Peru.
4. English and French Exploration
In the 16th century, the English and French also began to explore the New World. In 1497, John Cabot claimed Newfoundland for England, and in 1534, Jacques Cartier reached the St. Lawrence River in what is now Canada.
5. Exploration of the Americas
The exploration of the Americas continued throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Spanish explorers such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro conquered the Aztec and Inca Empires in Mexico and Peru, respectively. English explorers such as Sir Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh established colonies in North America.
6. Impact of Exploration
The European exploration of the New World had a profound impact on both Europe and the Americas. It led to the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between the two hemispheres, and to the establishment of European colonies in the Americas. The exploration of the New World also had a significant impact on the development of European culture, science, and technology.