European Explorers

From the 1400's to 1600's there was a boom in exploration. Some explorers sought fame and fortune, while others wanted to spread Christianity. Who were they? Did they find what they were looking for? What happened to the indigenous people who were already living in areas that were being "explored"? Let's answer those questions, look at the timeline, and some explorers!

European explorers during the time of European exploration

It is important to remember that while Europeans were "discovering" new lands, these areas were already settled by people indigenous to them. South of the Sahara had different tribes each with unique cultures and experiences. When Columbus arrived in Hispaniola, the Taino people already lived there. While the Europeans profited from exploration and colonialization, the indigenous people are the ones who suffered.

Fig 1: Christopher Columbus

European Explorers Timeline

Let's look at a timeline of events so that we have a better idea of European exploration in Africa and America. After that, we can break down some of the explorers of this period!

European Explorers in Africa

In 1324, the kingdom of Mali in Africa had a legendary ruler named Mansa Musa. Musa went on a pilgrimage from Mali to Mecca. While he was in Egypt, he spent and gave away so much gold that the value of gold decreased for twelve years! While Mansa Musa was a real ruler, historians don't know how true his legend was. We know that almost two centuries later, the Europeans still remembered the stories and wanted the wealth of Africa.

While there was some exploration in Africa, it would not be until the 18th century that the majority of European exploration began.

Bartolomeu Diaz

Fig 2: Bartholomew Diaz's São Cristóvão

The Southwestern coast of Africa was difficult to sail because it had dangerous currents. Many Sailors would not try to sail around the tip of Africa's coast because they thought it was impossible. Bartolomeu Diaz was the first to successfully sail around the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. This opened the door for other sailors to do the same.

Vasco da Gama

In 1498, Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa to India. Eventually, Portugal was able to force India to create a trade deal with them. With India's spices, teas, and luxury items Portugal was able to become a global superpower. Da Gama also opened trade between Portugal and Kilwa a port city in Africa.

Jan van Riebeeck

Jan van Riebeeck established a Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. As this colony grew it took land and resources away from the San and Khoikhoi, the people who lived there before the colony. Riebeeck would not acknowledge the San and Khoikhoi's rights to the land because it was different from what he was used to. They needed more labor, so the colony began to import slaves from Madagascar.

This colony would be a port where ships would dock and resupply. It was also a crucial possession for the Dutch as the slave trade rose in power.

Fig 3: Jan van Riebeeck

• Vasco da Gama opened India to trade with Portugal making Portugal a powerhouse
• The Cape of Good Hope colony was profitable for the Dutch but devastating for the San and Khoikhoi

European Explorers of America

Just as it was in Africa, the people native to the Americas had vibrant cultures before European exploration. The indigenous people did not have the immunities to disease as the Europeans so when the Europeans began to colonize, they brought diseases with them. Between disease, warfare, and enslavement Europeans were responsible for upwards of 90% of the indigenous people's deaths.

Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus is credited for discovering America, but he never stepped foot in North America. It would be five years before explorer Amerigo Vespucci voiced that this New World was not Asia. In 1507, mapmaker Martin Waldseemüller drew it as a different continent and named it America after Vespucci. Columbus' real goal was to find a sea route to India through the Northwest.

Fig 4: Taino People Making Bread

In 1492 Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola and claimed it for Spain. Columbus returned to the island in 1493 to establish a colony. In 1500 he was sent back to Spain in chains because he mistreated his colonists and the Taino who were indigenous to Hispaniola. The queen and king of Spain were horrified by Columbus' treatment and did not return the colony to him.