Francisco Pizarro
Born: c. 1473 Died: 1541 Birthplace:Trujillo, Cáceres, Spain Francisco Pizarro is most famous for conquering the Incan Empire in Peru and sentencing it's king, Atahualpa, to death. This established Spain's claim over South America. Pizarro set out in 1531 with three ships, 180 men, and 70 cavalry, soldiers on horseback. The fleet sailed to Tumbes, where the Inca city was located, and found it in ruins. The city was destroyed during a civil war within the empire. Pizarro pushed on to Atahualpa's capital and tried to convert him. When he refused he was imprisoned. Pizarro raided thhe city of all it's wealth. Then Atahualpa was forced to kill his brother before he was killed himself.
Hernán Cortés Born: 1485 Died: 1547 Birthplace: Medillín, Spain Hernán Cortés is most famous for conquering the Aztec empire. He also built Mexico City which became the Spanish stronghold in the New World. In 1518 Cortés, who was now the secretary to Governor Velázquez, was appointed leader of an expedition to colonize the interior of Mexico. This expedition was later cancelled. Ignoring this, Cortés took the journey in 1519. He was accompanied by 11 ships, 500 men, 13 horses and several cannons. With rumors of the wealthy Aztec Empire, Cortés allied with the natives to attack the Aztec capital. Moctezuma tried to satisfy the army but greed overpowered them and he was murdered. Cortés took the city and all it's wealth. Ferdinand Magellan Born: 1480 Died: 1521 Birthplace: Sabrosa, Portugal Ferdinand Magellan was most famous for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. He is considered the first European to cross the Pacific Ocean although he did not actually circumnavigate the globe. He unfortunately died along the way. In 1519, he set out with a fleet of five ships to discover a western sea route to the spice islands. While doing this he discovered what is known as the Strait of Magellan and was the first European to cross the Pacific Ocean. The voyage took much longer than expected and was very dangerous. Only one of the three ships returned three years after departure. On that one ship was only 18 men of the original 270. Magellan was actually killed in a battle on the journey. Vasco da Gama Born: 1460 Died: 1524 Birthplace: Sines, Portugal Vasco da Gama is most famous for finding a direct sea route from Europe to Asia. He also was the first to sail to India by going around Africa. Da Gama inherited the task of finding a direct sea route from Europe to Asia from his father who died before completing it. In July of 1497, da Gama and four ships left with 170 men including interpreters who spoke Arabic and Bantu languages. During the journey around the southern tip of Africa, the crew stopped many times for supplies. As the fleet entered the port of Mozambique a battle was fought between da Gama and the Muslims. Overpowered, da Gama was forced to retreat and when the winds were finally in his favor he sailed up the coast. Many enemies were made along the way but when da gama finally reached the coast of Calicut and was friendly with the ruler. Soon, though, the ruler was offered a lot of money to destroy the Portuguese ships and at that point da Gama began the route home. Sir Francis Drake Born:1540 Died: 1596 Birthplace: Tavistock, Devon, United Kingdom Sir Francis Drake was most famous for being the first captain to survive the circumnavigation of the globe. He also relinquished the Spanish's control over the new World. In late 1577, Drake departed with five ships for the expedition. After having one of his officials beheaded for planned mutiny, Drake then led the fleet into the Strait of Magellan to reach the Pacific Ocean. They were soon caught in a storm. Drake remained in his flagship, the only remaining vessel from the original squad, sailing up the coasts of Chile and Peru. Drake then landed off the coast of California, claiming it for Queen Elizabeth. Drake then set sail across the Pacific, through the Indian Ocean and around the Cape of Good Hope back to England, landing at Plymouth in 1580. Drake had just become the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world. The Queen knighted him in 1581. |