Christopher Columbus - 1492:
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On August 3rd 1492, Christopher Columbus led three of ships- the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria- out of the Spanish port of Palos. His main objective was to reach Asia (the Indies) by continuously sailing west. There would be pearls, spice, and gold awaiting him. His first stop was at the Canary Islands, but the lack of strong winds would delay his expedition until September 6th. Columbus's main goal with his first voyage was to find a quicker route to the lucrative Chinese trade markets, instead he found the America’s for Spain (Christopher Columbus Biography). Columbus was the first European to explore the Americas since the 10th century when the Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland (Columbus Reaches the New world).
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The Treaty of Tordesillas - 1494:
When Christopher Columbus returned from his long voyage to the New World, Pope Alexander VI - Spanish-born- gave Spain a new quest to dominate any new discovered regions in the world. The Spanish Pope decreed that all lands that were discovered west of a meridian 100 leagues (one league being 3 miles or 4.8 km) of the Cape Verde Islands would belong to Spain while any lands discovered on the east of the line would belong to Portugal (The Treaty of Tordesillas). Any land that was under the “Christian prince” would still be under the same control. This set line angered King John II because he knew that the line limited the Spanish influence in Asia, he negotiated with queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain to move the Treaty of Tordesillas to the west.
Spain and Portugal met at Tordesillas on June 7th 1494. Spain signed the treaty and moved the line west by 270 leagues, and 370 leagues west of Cape Verde. While this new change gave Portugal automatic control over large portions of the Indian Ocean, it also gave Portugal more claim to South America. Portugal and Spain ignored an enactment of the treaty by the Pope, but they soon reconciled in 1506 when Pope Julius II agreed to the change in 1506.
When Christopher Columbus returned from his long voyage to the New World, Pope Alexander VI - Spanish-born- gave Spain a new quest to dominate any new discovered regions in the world. The Spanish Pope decreed that all lands that were discovered west of a meridian 100 leagues (one league being 3 miles or 4.8 km) of the Cape Verde Islands would belong to Spain while any lands discovered on the east of the line would belong to Portugal (The Treaty of Tordesillas). Any land that was under the “Christian prince” would still be under the same control. This set line angered King John II because he knew that the line limited the Spanish influence in Asia, he negotiated with queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain to move the Treaty of Tordesillas to the west.
Spain and Portugal met at Tordesillas on June 7th 1494. Spain signed the treaty and moved the line west by 270 leagues, and 370 leagues west of Cape Verde. While this new change gave Portugal automatic control over large portions of the Indian Ocean, it also gave Portugal more claim to South America. Portugal and Spain ignored an enactment of the treaty by the Pope, but they soon reconciled in 1506 when Pope Julius II agreed to the change in 1506.
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John Cabot - 1497:
On May 2, 1497 John Cabot sailed on a voyage to Asia from Bristol on a single ship, named Matea. Unlike Columbus, Cabot set out to a more northerly route, settling into high Atlantic currents (John Cabot). Four and a half weeks later at sea, he spotted unclaimed land. On June 24, 1497-- St. John’s Day Cabot named the land “Terra Nova” also known as “New found Land”. John Cabot’s voyage and discovery of the “New found Land” in 1497 is mainly thought to be the first European discovery and encounterment of the North America continent since the 11th century when Leif Eriksson and the Vikings explored the land.
On May 2, 1497 John Cabot sailed on a voyage to Asia from Bristol on a single ship, named Matea. Unlike Columbus, Cabot set out to a more northerly route, settling into high Atlantic currents (John Cabot). Four and a half weeks later at sea, he spotted unclaimed land. On June 24, 1497-- St. John’s Day Cabot named the land “Terra Nova” also known as “New found Land”. John Cabot’s voyage and discovery of the “New found Land” in 1497 is mainly thought to be the first European discovery and encounterment of the North America continent since the 11th century when Leif Eriksson and the Vikings explored the land.
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Slavery in Virginia - 1619:
On August 1619 Africans were being carried on a Portuguese slave ship that was sailing from Angola to Veracruz, Mexico (Wood). While sailing though the West Indies, the ship was attacked by a Dutch ship- known as the White Lion- right outside of Jamestown Virginia. The ship captured around 50 slaves, 20 of the slaves were purchased at the outposts of Jamestown. The slave trade had not yet begun between the Africans and the English. Despite the 20 or so new coming Africans, they were most likely sent as slaves who could buy out of slavery after seven years of labour, most importantly 1619 marked the beginning of the slave trade. The Africans were put into work at various labours including tobacco harvesting. From that point in history, slavery would spread to the thirteen colonies and dehumanize innocent human beings. Some historians believe that in the 18th century close to 7 million slaves were sent to the New World, stripping Africa of some of its healthiest and adequate men and women.
On August 1619 Africans were being carried on a Portuguese slave ship that was sailing from Angola to Veracruz, Mexico (Wood). While sailing though the West Indies, the ship was attacked by a Dutch ship- known as the White Lion- right outside of Jamestown Virginia. The ship captured around 50 slaves, 20 of the slaves were purchased at the outposts of Jamestown. The slave trade had not yet begun between the Africans and the English. Despite the 20 or so new coming Africans, they were most likely sent as slaves who could buy out of slavery after seven years of labour, most importantly 1619 marked the beginning of the slave trade. The Africans were put into work at various labours including tobacco harvesting. From that point in history, slavery would spread to the thirteen colonies and dehumanize innocent human beings. Some historians believe that in the 18th century close to 7 million slaves were sent to the New World, stripping Africa of some of its healthiest and adequate men and women.