The Brave Explorers Who Discovered The New World

When European explorers first began sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, they were searching for new routes to China and the East, but what they found was more than they imagined: the New World. Some of these explorers, like Christopher Columbus, are both celebrated and vilified today. Others, like Ferdinand Magellan and Francisco Pizarro, were met with violent and untimely deaths. And some, like Marco Polo, failed to receive recognition in their lifetime, only to have their discoveries confirmed centuries later.

Learning about these explorers not only reveals the adventures they had, but also the impact they made on world history. Their journeys opened up new lands and trade routes, changing the course of civilizations forever. This article will take you through the lives and legacies of several key figures in exploration history.

Marco Polo

Time Period: Late 13^th century

Destination: Asia

Marco Polo was a Venetian explorer whose travels are famous because of his book, The Travels of Marco Polo. This book describes his journey through Asia from 1271 to 1295, where he spent many years in China. Polo became a trusted figure in the court of Kublai Khan and even served as the governor of a city!

During his travels, he experienced many different cultures and remarkable sights. Polo's accounts were so vivid that they inspired other explorers to venture into unknown territories. Despite his lack of recognition during his lifetime, his writings helped shape the way Europeans viewed Asia and encouraged future expeditions.

Christopher Columbus

Time Period: Turn of the 16^th century

Destination: Caribbean and South America

Christopher Columbus was an Italian navigator who famously sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 aboard the Santa Maria. His goal was to find a new route to India, but instead, he stumbled upon the Americas. Over the course of his four voyages, he opened up the New World to European colonization.

Columbus' journeys were marked by both triumph and tragedy. While he is celebrated for his discoveries, his expeditions also led to significant consequences for indigenous populations. Columbus died in 1506, still believing he had found a new route to Asia, not realizing the extent of his impact on history.

Amerigo Vespucci

Time Period: Turn of the 16^th century

Destination: South America

Amerigo Vespucci was a Florentine navigator whose name inspired the title of America. He made significant contributions to the exploration of the New World, embarking on multiple voyages to South America. Vespucci's accounts helped others understand that the lands Columbus discovered were part of a new continent.

His explorations included the discovery of the Amazon River and the coast of Brazil. In 1507, a mapmaker named Martin Waldseemüller named the new continent "America" in honor of Vespucci, recognizing his important role in exploration.

John Cabot

Time Period: Late 15^th century

Destination: Canada

John Cabot was a Venetian explorer who made a British claim to land in Canada during his 1497 voyage. His journey marked one of the earliest European explorations of North America, and historians debate where exactly he landed—some say it was Newfoundland, while others believe it was Cape Breton Island.

In 1498, Cabot was granted permission to make another voyage, but he mysteriously disappeared during the expedition. His fate remains unknown, but his contributions to exploration paved the way for future explorers to seek out the riches of the New World.

Ferdinand Magellan

Time Period: Early 16^th century

Destination: Global circumnavigation

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. His journey began in 1519, and he faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with local populations and harsh weather conditions. Magellan's voyage proved that the Earth is round and that it is possible to sail around it!

Unfortunately, Magellan did not complete the journey himself, as he was killed in a battle in the Philippines in 1521. His expedition, however, continued under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano, ultimately returning to Spain in 1522. This journey changed the way people viewed the world and opened up new trade routes.

Hernán Cortés

Time Period: 16^th century

Destination: Central America

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador known for conquering the Aztec Empire in Mexico. He arrived in the New World at the age of 19 and quickly made a name for himself as a military leader. Cortés formed alliances with local tribes and used both diplomacy and force to overthrow the Aztecs.

His conquest resulted in the fall of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital, and he became the governor of New Spain. However, his actions also led to significant suffering and loss of life for indigenous peoples. Cortés' legacy is complex, as he is viewed as both a hero and a villain.

Sir Francis Drake

Time Period: Late 16^th century

Destination: Global circumnavigation

Sir Francis Drake was an English admiral and the second person to circumnavigate the globe. His expedition from 1577 to 1580 brought him fame and recognition. Drake was known for his naval prowess and played a crucial role in defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Drake's adventures were not without controversy, as he was also a privateer who raided Spanish ships and settlements. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I for his accomplishments and is remembered as one of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era.

Sir Walter Raleigh

Time Period: Late 16^th century

Destination: United States

Sir Walter Raleigh was an English explorer who played a key role in the early colonization of North America. He sought to establish a colony near Roanoke Island, which ultimately became known as the "Lost Colony." Raleigh's efforts to colonize were met with challenges, including conflicts with indigenous peoples and lack of resources.

Despite his ambitions, Raleigh faced political turmoil and was imprisoned for treason by King James I. His life ended tragically, but his contributions to exploration and colonization had a lasting impact on English ventures in the New World.

James Cook

Time Period: Late 18^th century

Destination: New Zealand and Australia

James Cook was a British navigator and explorer known for his detailed mapping of the Pacific region. His voyages aboard the HMB Endeavour greatly increased European knowledge of New Zealand and the east coast of Australia. Cook's expeditions also disproved the existence of the mythical southern continent, Terra Australis.

Cook's contributions to navigation and exploration were immense, providing the first accurate maps of many regions. Unfortunately, he met a tragic end during a conflict in Hawaii in 1779, but his legacy as an explorer continues to inspire future generations.

Francisco Pizarro

Time Period: Early 16^th century

Destination: Central and South America

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish explorer and conquistador known for his role in the conquest of Peru. He was part of the expedition that first spotted the Pacific Ocean and later led the conquest of the Inca Empire. Pizarro's military strategies and alliances helped him overthrow the Inca leader Atahualpa.

He founded the city of Lima, which became the capital of Spanish South America. Pizarro's actions, however, led to significant strife and violence against indigenous populations. His legacy is marked by both his adventurous spirit and the consequences of his conquests.

By exploring the lives of these remarkable individuals, we gain insight into the age of exploration and the profound changes it brought to the world. From the ambitious journeys of Marco Polo to the complex legacies of Cortés and Pizarro, each explorer played a unique role in shaping history.