Euorpean Expansion by Gavin Carney

1400-1600s - The Start of European Exploration

20265000 — 2025-02-11 14:19:53 UTC

Due to the Ottoman Empire taking up most of the middle east and western Europe, countries like Spain and Portugal were cut off from the Silk Road and the spice trade. Therefore, they were forced to sail the ocean to find another way to India.

1498 - Vasco Da Gama

20265000 — 2025-02-11 14:23:19 UTC

In 1498, Vasco Da Gama became the first to sail from Portugal to India. On the way, he uncovered African cities like S. Helena Bay and Mombasa, before arriving in Calicut, India.

1451-1506 - The Discovery of the New World

20265000 — 2025-02-11 14:28:37 UTC

In 1451-1506, Christopher Colombus helped Europe discover the New World. This opened up many new trade possibilities with not only the Natives, but with other countries unfamiliar with the Americas.

1500s - Rise of Racial Slavery

20265000 — 2025-02-11 14:34:05 UTC

Upon the discovery of the New World, European settlers needed unpaid workers that would be used to both Old World diseases and the tropical climate. Africans ended up being the main candidate for this role. This led to the taking of thousands of Africans away from Africa and taken to the New World, causing long lasting problems for Africa for centuries to come.

1500s - Portugal discovers India

20265000 — 2025-02-11 14:39:15 UTC

When Da Gama first discovered India, he failed to show respect to the Mughals, and was therefore sent home with only stories of what he saw. He did, however, buy some spices before leaving, and then sold them in Europe for 27 times their amount.

1501-1641 - Portugal controls the Bay of Bengal

20265000 — 2025-02-11 14:46:25 UTC

Portugal, soon after being sent home empty handed, came back to India ot take control of several trading posts along the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Eventually, in 1641, they lose this footing to the Dutch who took over the trading posts in Colombo.

1644 - Manchu's take over China

20265000 — 2025-02-11 14:49:47 UTC

In 1644, the Manchus from Northern China take over the Ming Dynasty. While in command, they change the country into the Qing Dynasty.