E x p lo r e r s o f A f r ic a
P r in c e H e n r y t h e N a v ig a t o r
(1394-1460)
Portugal
G o a l s o f e x p lo r a t io n :
establish a Christian empire in western Africa
find new sources of gold
create maps of the African coast
funded by Henry the Navigator led to more
Impact: Trips
exploration of western Africa
B a r t o lo m e u D ía s
(1450-1500)
Portugal
Rounded the southernmost tip of Africa in 1488
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
find a water route to Asia
Im p a c t:
Led the Portuguese closer to discovering a
water route to Asia
Vasco d a G am a
(1460s-1524)
Portugal
Rounded the southernmost tip of Africa;
Reached India in 1498
find a water route to Asia
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
Im p a c t:
Found a water route to Asia and brought back
jewels and spices, which encouraged further
exploration
E x p lo r e r s o f t h e C a r ib b e a n
C h r is t o p h e r C o lu m b u s
(1450-1506)
Spain
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue
(He sailed again in 1493, 1498, and 1502)
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
find a water route to Asia
the New World and led to
Impact: Discovered
exploration of the Americas
V a s c o N ú ñ e z d e B a lb o a
(1475-1519)
Spain
Discovered the Pacific Ocean and the Isthmus of
Panama in 1513
further exploration of the New World
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
the Pacific Ocean and a new
Impact: Discovered
passage for exploration
E x p lo r e r s o f S o u t h A m e r ic a
F e r d in a n d M a g e lla n
(1480-1521)
Spain
Magellan's ships completed the first known
circumnavigation of the globe.
Goal of exploration: find a water route to Asia across the Pacific
a new passage between the
Impact: Discovered
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
F r a n c is c o P iz a r r o
(1470s-1541)
Spain
Conquered Peru and the Incan empire for Spain in 1532-38
seeking gold and silver for Spain
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
Impact: Spread Spanish influence in South America
E x p lo r e r s o f N o r t h A m e r ic a
Ju a n P o n c e d e L e ó n
(1474-1521)
Spain
Explored Florida in 1513 and 1521, but likely thought it was
a Caribbean island
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
seeking gold for Spain
Impact: Explored mainland North America
H e rn á n C o rté s
(1485-1547)
Spain
Led by a Spanish castaway, Cortés came into contact with
the Aztec empire, which he conquered for Spain in 1521
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
seeking gold for Spain
Conquered the Aztec Empire; brought Spanish crops,
Impact: animals, language, laws, customs, and religion
H e rn a n d o d e S o to
(1496/8-1542)
Spain
Traveled through Florida west into the continent in 1539-42
Goal of exploration: seeking gold, silver, and jewels
Impact: First known European to cross the Mississippi River
F r a n c is c o V á z q u e z d e C o r o n a d o
(1510-1554)
Spain
Traveled through through modern-day Arizona and New
Mexico and into modern-day Kansas
“golden cities,” which were actually
Goal of exploration: fabled
Adobe pueblos
up the Southwest of the modern-day US to
Impact: Opened
Spanish settlement
Jo h n C a b o t
(1450-1500)
England
Explored the northeastern coast of North America, 1497-98
a northwest passage through the
New World to the Orient
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
Impact: Established an English presence in North America
G io v a n n i d a V e r r a z z a n o
(1485-1528)
France
Sailed from France up the northeastern coast of
North America to Nova Scotia in 1524
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
establish a presence in the New
World for France
Impact: Helped to establish a French claim in North America
Ja c q u e s C a r t ie r
France
(1491-1557)
Explored the St. Lawrence River as far inland as
modern-day Montreal in 1534
Goal of exploration: establish a presence in the New
World for France
to establish a French presence in
Impact: Helped
modern-day Canada
S ir F r a n c is D r a k e
England
(1540s-1596)
Circumnavigated the globe; explored the coast of California,
claiming it for England; and returned to Europe through the
Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans
G o a l o f e x p lo r a t io n :
establish English presence in the
New World and assert English
dominance over Spain
to an increase of tensions between Spain and
Impact: Led
England