Exploration Era: Portugal, Spain, and France

Portugal, Spain, France, and England were all located on the Atlantic coast, had monarchs who funded exploration, and were capable of developing important technological advancements like new ships and navigational tools. These factors allowed these nations to explore the world beyond Europe.

Each nation sought different things from exploration. Portugal aimed to find a new route to Asia by sailing around Africa to reach India and China. Spain wanted to find a more direct route to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic to China and India. France sought riches from new lands while building colonies and England sought expansion and to gain riches and power similar to Portugal and Spain.

Portugal focused their exploration on the western coast of Africa, seeking a sea route to India and China. Spain explored westward across the Atlantic, discovering the Americas. France explored the St. Lawrence River, Montreal, and the south of the Americas. England explored North America, establishing colonies along the Atlantic coast.

Vasco da Gama, Bartholomew Diaz, and other Portuguese explorers discovered a new route to India and China around Africa. Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, and other Spanish explorers discovered the Americas and the Strait of Magellan. Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River and the Haudenosaunee settlements. John Cabot, Martin Frobisher, and others explored North America and discovered what's known as the Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Portugal established the port city of Macau as a significant colony. Spain did not establish any successful colonies in America, but it established large empires in the Americas. France acquired Louisiana, Hudson's Bay, Acadia, Newfoundland, and other areas. England established thirteen colonies along the Atlantic coast, creating a powerful and influential colonial empire in North America.