Age of Exploration
European maritime nations launched expeditions that mapped the globe, connected continents, and transformed world trade, culture, and power dynamics between 1400–1600.
Preceding Causes
Ottoman control of eastern trade routes, development of the caravel, compass navigation, and desire for direct spice trade with Asia.
Historical Consequences
Columbian Exchange of crops, animals, and diseases; European colonialism; transatlantic slave trade; global capitalism.
Atlantic Slave Trade
The forced transportation of an estimated 12.5 million Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas as enslaved labor over more than three centuries, one of history's greatest crimes against humanity.
Spanish Colonization of the Americas
Following Columbus's 1492 voyage, Spain conquered and colonized vast territories in the Americas, destroying the Aztec and Inca empires, subjugating indigenous populations, and extracting enormous mineral wealth.
Treaty of Tordesillas
A treaty between Spain and Portugal dividing newly discovered and yet-to-be-discovered lands outside Europe between the two powers along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands.
Portuguese Empire
The first global maritime empire, Portugal established trade posts and colonies spanning four continents for nearly 600 years, beginning with the capture of Ceuta in North Africa (1415) and ending with the handover of Macau (1999).
Vasco da Gama's Voyage to India
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama became the first European to reach India by sea, opening a direct trade route and beginning Portuguese domination of the Indian Ocean.