what voyages did john cabot go on

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By: History.com Editors

Updated: June 6, 2023 | Original: November 9, 2009

John Cabot (or Giovanni Caboto, as he was known in Italy) was an Italian explorer and navigator who was among the first to think of sailing westward to reach the riches of Asia. Though the details of his life and expeditions are subject to debate, by the late 1490s he was living in England, where he gained a commission from King Henry VII to make an expedition across the Atlantic. He set sail in May 1497 and made landfall in late June, probably in modern-day Canada. After returning to England to report his success, Cabot departed on a final expedition in 1498, but was allegedly never seen again.

Giovanni Caboto was born circa 1450 in Genoa, and moved to Venice around 1461; he became a Venetian citizen in 1476. Evidence suggests that he worked as a merchant in the spice trade of the Levant, or eastern Mediterranean, and may have traveled as far as Mecca, then an important trading center for Oriental and Western goods.

He studied navigation and map-making during this period, and read the stories of Marco Polo and his adventures in the fabulous cities of Asia. Similar to his countryman Christopher Columbus , Cabot appears to have become interested in the possibility of reaching the rich gold, silk, gem and spice markets of Asia by sailing in a westward direction.

Did you know? John Cabot's landing in 1497 is generally thought to be the first European encounter with the North American continent since Leif Eriksson and the Vikings explored the area they called Vinland in the 11th century.

For the next several decades, Cabot’s exact activities are unknown; he may have been forced to leave Venice because of outstanding debts. He then spent several years in Valencia and Seville, Spain, where he worked as a maritime engineer with varying degrees of success.

Cabot may have been in Valencia in 1493, when Columbus passed through the city on his way to report to the Spanish monarchs the results of his voyage (including his mistaken belief that he had in fact reached Asia).

By late 1495, Cabot had reached Bristol, England, a port city that had served as a starting point for several previous expeditions across the North Atlantic. From there, he worked to convince the British crown that England did not have to stand aside while Spain took the lead in exploration of the New World , and that it was possible to reach Asia on a more northerly route than the one Columbus had taken.

First and Second Voyages

In 1496, King Henry VII issued letters patent to Cabot and his son, which authorized them to make a voyage of discovery and to return with goods for sale on the English market. After a first, aborted attempt in 1496, Cabot sailed out of Bristol on the small ship Matthew in May 1497, with a crew of about 18 men.

Cabot’s most successful expedition made landfall in North America on June 24; the exact location is disputed, but may have been southern Labrador, the island of Newfoundland or Cape Breton Island. Reports about their exploration vary, but when Cabot and his men went ashore, he reportedly saw signs of habitation but few if any people. He took possession of the land for King Henry, but hoisted both the English and Venetian flags.

Grand Banks

Cabot explored the area and named various features of the region, including Cape Discovery, Island of St. John, St. George’s Cape, Trinity Islands and England’s Cape. These may correspond to modern-day places located around what became known as Cabot Strait, the 60-mile-wide channel running between southwestern Newfoundland and northern Cape Breton Island.

Like Columbus, Cabot believed that he had reached Asia’s northeast coast. He returned to Bristol in August 1497 with extremely favorable reports of the exploration. Among his discoveries was the rich fishing grounds of the Grand Banks off the coast of Canada, where his crew was allegedly able to fill baskets with cod by simply dropping the baskets into the water.

John Cabot’s Final Voyage

In London in late 1497, Cabot proposed to King Henry VII that he set out on another expedition across the north Atlantic. This time, he would continue westward from his first landfall until he reached the island of Cipangu ( Japan ). In February 1498, the king issued letters patent for the second voyage, and that May Cabot set off once again from Bristol, but this time with five ships and about 300 men.

The exact fate of the expedition has not been established, but by July one of the ships had been damaged and sought anchorage in Ireland. Reportedly the other four ships continued westward. It was believed that the ships had been caught in a severe storm, and by 1499, Cabot himself was presumed to have perished at sea.

Some evidence, however, suggests that Cabot and some members of his crew may have stayed in the New World; other documents suggest that he and his crew returned to England at some point. A Spanish map from 1500 includes the northern coast of North America with English place names and the notation “the sea discovered by the English.”

What Did John Cabot Discover?

In addition to laying the groundwork for British land claims in Canada, his expeditions proved the existence of a shorter route across the northern Atlantic Ocean, which would later facilitate the establishment of other British colonies in North America .

One of John Cabot's sons, Sebastian, was also an explorer who sailed under the flags of England and Spain.

John Cabot. Royal Museums Greenwich . Who Was John Cabot? John Cabot University . John Cabot. The Canadian Encyclopedia .

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Explorer John Cabot made a British claim to land in Canada, mistaking it for Asia, during his 1497 voyage on the ship Matthew.

(1450-1500)

Who Was John Cabot?

John Cabot was a Venetian explorer and navigator known for his 1497 voyage to North America, where he claimed land in Canada for England. After setting sail in May 1498 for a return voyage to North America, he disappeared and Cabot's final days remain a mystery.

Cabot was born Giovanni Caboto around 1450 in Genoa, Italy. Cabot was the son of a spice merchant, Giulio Caboto. At age 11, the family moved from Genoa to Venice, where Cabot learned sailing and navigation from Italian seamen and merchants.

Discoveries

In 1497, Cabot traveled by sea from Bristol to Canada, which he mistook for Asia. Cabot made a claim to the North American land for King Henry VII of England , setting the course for England's rise to power in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Cabot’s Route

Like Columbus, Cabot believed that sailing west from Europe was the shorter route to Asia. Hearing of opportunities in England, Cabot traveled there and met with King Henry VII, who gave him a grant to "seeke out, discover, and finde" new lands for England. In early May of 1497, Cabot left Bristol, England, on the Matthew , a fast and able ship weighing 50 tons, with a crew of 18 men. Cabot and his crew sailed west and north, under Cabot's belief that the route to Asia would be shorter from northern Europe than Columbus's voyage along the trade winds. On June 24, 1497, 50 days into the voyage, Cabot landed on the east coast of North America.

The precise location of Cabot’s landing is subject to controversy. Some historians believe that Cabot landed at Cape Breton Island or mainland Nova Scotia. Others believe he may have landed at Newfoundland, Labrador or even Maine. Though the Matthew 's logs are incomplete, it is believed that Cabot went ashore with a small party and claimed the land for the King of England.

In July 1497, the ship sailed for England and arrived in Bristol on August 6, 1497. Cabot was soon rewarded with a pension of £20 and the gratitude of King Henry VII.

Wife and Kids

In 1474, Cabot married a young woman named Mattea. The couple had three sons: Ludovico, Sancto and Sebastiano. Sebastiano would later follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming an explorer in his own right.

Death and Legacy

It is believed Cabot died sometime in 1499 or 1500, but his fate remains a mystery. In February 1498, Cabot was given permission to make a new voyage to North America; in May of that year, he departed from Bristol, England, with five ships and a crew of 300 men. The ships carried ample provisions and small samplings of cloth, lace points and other "trifles," suggesting an expectation of fostering trade with Indigenous peoples. En route, one ship became disabled and sailed to Ireland, while the other four ships continued on. From this point, there is only speculation as to the fate of the voyage and Cabot.

For many years, it was believed that the ships were lost at sea. More recently, however, documents have emerged that place Cabot in England in 1500, laying speculation that he and his crew actually survived the voyage. Historians have also found evidence to suggest that Cabot's expedition explored the eastern Canadian coast, and that a priest accompanying the expedition might have established a Christian settlement in Newfoundland.

QUICK FACTS

• Name: John Cabot
• Birth Year: 1450
• Birth City: Genoa
• Birth Country: Italy
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Explorer John Cabot made a British claim to land in Canada, mistaking it for Asia, during his 1497 voyage on the ship Matthew.
• Nacionalities
• Interesting Facts
• John Cabot was inspired by the discoveries of Bartolomeu Dias and Christopher Columbus.
• Cabot's youngest son also became an explorer in his own right
• Death Year: 1500
• Sayled in this tracte so farre towarde the weste, that the Ilande of Cuba bee on my lefte hande, in manere in the same degree of longitude.

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John Cabot Facts, Voyage, and Accomplishments

Published: Jul 25, 2016 · Modified: Nov 11, 2023 by Russell Yost · This post may contain affiliate links ·

John Cabot was a Genoese navigator and explorer whose 1497 discovery of parts of North America under the commission of Henry VII of England is commonly held to have been the first European exploration of the mainland of North America since the Norse Vikings' visits to Vinland in the eleventh century.

It would also be one of the last times, until Queen Elizabeth, that England would set foot in the New World.

John Cabot Facts: Early Life

John cabot facts: england and expeditions, john cabot facts: historical thoughts, online resources.

He may have been born slightly earlier than 1450, which is the approximate date most commonly given for his birth.

In 1471, Caboto was accepted into the religious confraternity of St John the Evangelist. Since this was one of the city's prestigious confraternities, his acceptance suggests that he was already a respected member of the community.

Following his gaining full Venetian citizenship in 1476, Caboto would have been eligible to engage in maritime trade, including the trade to the eastern Mediterranean that was the source of much of Venice's wealth.

A 1483 document refers to his selling a slave in Crete whom he had acquired while in the territories of the Sultan of Egypt, which then comprised most of what is now Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon.

Cabot is mentioned in many Venetian records of the 1480s. These indicate that by 1484, he was married to Mattea and already had at least two sons.

Cabot's sons are Ludovico, Sebastian, and Sancto. The Venetian sources contain references to Cabot's being involved in house building in the city. He may have relied on this experience when seeking work later in Spain as a civil engineer.

Cabot appears to have gotten into financial trouble in the late 1480s and left Venice as an insolvent debtor by 5 November 1488.

He moved to Valencia, Spain, where his creditors attempted to have him arrested. While in Valencia, John Cabot proposed plans for improvements to the harbor. These proposals were rejected.

Early in 1494, he moved on to Seville, where he proposed, was contracted to build, and, for five months, worked on the construction of a stone bridge over the Guadalquivir River. This project was abandoned following a decision of the City Council on 24 December 1494.

After this, Cabot appears to have sought support from the Iberian crowns of Seville and Lisbon for an Atlantic expedition before moving to London to seek funding and political support. He likely reached England in mid-1495.

Like other Italian explorers, including Christopher Columbus , Cabot led an expedition on commission to another European nation, in his case, England.

Cabot planned to depart to the west from a northerly latitude where the longitudes are much closer together and where, as a result, the voyage would be much shorter. He still had an expectation of finding an alternative route to China.

On 5 March 1496, Henry VII gave Cabot and his three sons letters patent with the following charge for exploration:

...free authority, faculty, and power to sail to all parts, regions, and coasts of the eastern, western, and northern sea, under our banners, flags, and ensigns, with five ships or vessels of whatsoever burden and quality they may be, and with so many and with such mariners and men as they may wish to take with them in the said ships, at their own proper costs and charges, to find, discover and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions or provinces of heathens and infidels, in whatsoever part of the world placed, which before this time were unknown to all Christians.

Those who received such patents had the right to assign them to third parties for execution. His sons are believed to have still been under the age of 18

Cabot went to Bristol to arrange preparations for his voyage. Bristol was the second-largest seaport in England. From 1480 onward, it supplied several expeditions to look for Hy-Brazil. According to Celtic legend, this island lay somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. There was a widespread belief among merchants in the port that Bristol men had discovered the island at an earlier date but then lost track of it.

Cabot's first voyage was little recorded. Winter 1497/98 letter from John Day (a Bristol merchant) to an addressee believed to be Christopher Columbus refers briefly to it but writes mostly about the second 1497 voyage. He notes, "Since your Lordship wants information relating to the first voyage, here is what happened: he went with one ship, his crew confused him, he was short of supplies and ran into bad weather, and he decided to turn back." Since Cabot received his royal patent in March 1496, it is believed that he made his first voyage that summer.

What is known as the "John Day letter" provides considerable information about Cabot's second voyage. It was written during the winter of 1497/8 by Bristol merchant John Day to a man who is likely Christopher Columbus . Day is believed to have been familiar with the key figures of the expedition and thus able to report on it.

If the lands Cabot had discovered lay west of the meridian laid down in the Treaty of Tordesillas, or if he intended to sail further west, Columbus would likely have believed that these voyages challenged his monopoly rights for westward exploration.

Leaving Bristol, the expedition sailed past Ireland and across the Atlantic, making landfall somewhere on the coast of North America on 24 June 1497. The exact location of the landfall has long been disputed, with different communities vying for the honor.

Cabot is reported to have landed only once during the expedition and did not advance "beyond the shooting distance of a crossbow." Pasqualigo and Day both state that the expedition made no contact with any native people; the crew found the remains of a fire, a human trail, nets, and a wooden tool.

The crew appeared to have remained on land just long enough to take on fresh water; they also raised the Venetian and Papal banners, claiming the land for the King of England and recognizing the religious authority of the Roman Catholic Church. After this landing, Cabot spent some weeks "discovering the coast," with most "discovered after turning back."

On return to Bristol, Cabot rode to London to report to the King.

On 10 August 1497, he was given a reward of £10 – equivalent to about two years' pay for an ordinary laborer or craftsman. The explorer was feted; Soncino wrote on 23 August that Cabot "is called the Great Admiral and vast honor is paid to him and he goes dressed in silk and these English run after him like mad."

Such adulation was short-lived, for over the next few months, the King's attention was occupied by the Second Cornish Uprising of 1497, led by Perkin Warbeck.

Once Henry's throne was secure, he gave more thought to Cabot. On 26 September, just a few days after the collapse of the revolt, the King made an award of £2 to Cabot. In December 1497, the explorer was awarded a pension of £20 per year, and in February 1498, he was given a patent to help him prepare a second expedition.

In March and April, the King also advanced a number of loans to Lancelot Thirkill of London, Thomas Bradley, and John Cair, who were to accompany Cabot's new expedition.

Cabot departed with a fleet of five ships from Bristol at the beginning of May 1498, one of which had been prepared by the King. Some of the ships were said to be carrying merchandise, including cloth, caps, lace points, and other "trifles."

This suggests that Cabot intended to engage in trade on this expedition. The Spanish envoy in London reported in July that one of the ships had been caught in a storm and been forced to land in Ireland but that Cabot and the other four ships had continued on.

For centuries, no other records were found (or at least published) that relate to this expedition; it was long believed that Cabot and his fleet were lost at sea. But at least one of the men scheduled to accompany the expedition, Lancelot Thirkill of London, is recorded as living in London in 1501.

The historian Alwyn Ruddock worked on Cabot and his era for 35 years. She had suggested that Cabot and his expedition successfully returned to England in the spring of 1500. She claimed their return followed an epic two-year exploration of the east coast of North America, south into the Chesapeake Bay area and perhaps as far as the Spanish territories in the Caribbean. Ruddock suggested Fr. Giovanni Antonio de Carbonariis and the other friars who accompanied the 1498 expedition had stayed in Newfoundland and founded a mission.

If Carbonariis founded a settlement in North America, it would have been the first Christian settlement on the continent and may have included a church, the only medieval church to have been built there.

The Cabot Project at the University of Bristol was organized in 2009 to search for the evidence on which Ruddock's claims rest, as well as to undertake related studies of Cabot and his expeditions.

The lead researchers on the project, Evan Jones and Margaret Condon, claim to have found further evidence to support aspects of Ruddock's case, particularly in relation to the successful return of the 1498 expedition to Bristol.

They have located documents that appear to place John Cabot in London by May 1500 but have yet to publish their documentation.

• John Cabot's Wikipedia Page
• Cabot Project
• Find a Grave: John Cabot Memorial
• John Cabot Study Guide
• The History Junkie's Guide to Famous Explorers
• The History Junkie's Guide to Colonial America

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Early Years in Venice

John Cabot had a complex and shadowy early life. He was probably born before 1450 in Italy and was awarded Venetian citizenship in 1476, which meant he had been living there for at least fifteen years. People often signed their names in different ways at this time, and Cabot was no exception. In one 1476 document he identified himself as Zuan Chabotto, which gives a clue to his origins. It combined Zuan, the Venetian form for Giovanni, with a family name that suggested an origin somewhere on the Italian peninsula, since a Venetian would have spelled it Caboto. He had a Venetian wife, Mattea, and three sons, one of whom, Sebastian, rose to the rank of pilot-major of Spain for the Indies trade. Cabot was a merchant; Venetian records identify him as a hide trader, and in 1483 he sold a female slave in Crete. He was also a property developer in Venice and nearby Chioggia.

Cabot in Spain

In 1488, Cabot fled Venice with his family because he owed prominent people money. Where the Cabot family initially went is unknown, but by 1490 John Cabot was in Valencia, Spain, which like Venice was a city of canals. In 1492, he partnered with a Basque merchant named Gaspar Rull in a proposal to build an artificial harbour for Valencia on its Mediterranean coast. In April 1492, the project captured the enthusiasm of Fernando (Ferdinand), king of Aragon and husband of Isabel, queen of Castille, who together ruled what is now a unified Spain. The royal couple had just agreed to send Christopher Columbus on his now-famous voyage to the Americas. In the autumn of 1492, Fernando encouraged the governor-general of Valencia to find a way to finance Cabot’s harbour scheme. However, in March 1493, the council of Valencia decided it could not fund Cabot’s plan. Despite Fernando’s attempt to move the project forward that April, the scheme collapsed.

Cabot disappeared from the historical record until June 1494, when he resurfaced in another marine engineering plan dear to the Spanish monarchs. He was hired to build a fixed bridge link in Seville to its maritime centre, the island of Triana in the Guadalquivir River, which otherwise was serviced by a troublesome floating one. Though Columbus had reached the Americas, he believed he had found land on the eastern edge of Asia, and Seville had been chosen as the headquarters of what Spain imagined was a lucrative transatlantic trade route. Cabot’s assignment thus was an important one, but something went wrong. In December 1494, a group of leading citizens of Seville gathered, unhappy with Cabot’s lack of progress, given the funds he had been provided. At least one of them thought he should be banished from the city. By then, Cabot probably had left town.

Cabot in England

Following the demise of Cabot’s Seville bridge project, the marine engineer again disappeared from the historical record. In March 1496 he resurfaced, this time as the commander of a proposed westward voyage under the flag of the King of England, Henry VII. Although there is no documentary proof, during Cabot’s absence from the historical record, between April 1493 and June 1494, he could have sailed with Columbus’s second voyage to the Caribbean. Most of the names of the over 1,000 people who accompanied Columbus weren’t recorded; however, Cabot could have been among the marine engineers on the voyage’s 17 ships who were expected to construct a harbour facility in what is now Haiti. Had Cabot been present on this journey, Henry VII would have had some basis to believe the would-be Venetian explorer could make a similar voyage to the far side of the Atlantic. It would help explain why Henry VII hired Cabot, a foreigner with a problematic résumé and no known nautical expertise, to make such a journey.

On 5 March 1496, Henry awarded Cabot and his three sons a generous letters patent, a document granting them the right to explore and exploit areas unknown to Christian monarchs. The Cabots were authorized to sail to “all parts of the eastern, western and northern sea, under our banners, flags and ensigns,” with as many as five ships, manned and equipped at their own expense. The Cabots were to “find, discover and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions or provinces of heathens and infidels, in whatsoever part of the world placed, which before this time were unknown to all Christians.” The Cabots would serve as Henry’s “vassals, and governors lieutenants and deputies” in whatever lands met the criteria of the patent, and they were given the right to “conquer, occupy and possess whatsoever towns, castles, cities and islands by them discovered.” With the letters patent, the Cabots could secure financial backing. Two payments were made in April and May 1496 to John Cabot by the House of Bardi (a family of Florentine merchants) to fund his search for “the new land,” suggesting his investors thought he was looking for more than a northern trade route to Asia.

First Voyage (1496)

Cabot’s first voyage departed Bristol, England, in 1496. Sailing westward in the north Atlantic was no easy task. The prevailing weather patterns track from west to east, and ships of Cabot’s time could scarcely sail toward the wind. No first-hand accounts of Cabot’s first attempt to sail west survive. Historians only know that it was a failure, with Cabot apparently rebuffed by stormy weather.

Second Voyage (1497)

Cabot mounted a second attempt from Bristol in May 1497, using a ship called the Matthew . It may have been a happy coincidence that its name was the English version of Cabot’s wife’s name, Mattea. There are no records of the ship’s individual crewmembers, and all the accounts of the voyage are second-hand — a remarkable lack of documentation for a voyage that would be the foundation of England’s claim to North America.

Historians have long debated exactly where Cabot explored. The most authoritative report of his journey was a letter by a London merchant named Hugh Say. Written in the winter of 1497-98, but only discovered in Spanish archives in the mid-1950s, Say’s letter (written in Spanish) was addressed to a “great admiral” in Spain who may have been Columbus.

The rough latitudes Say provided suggest Cabot made landfall around southern Labrador and northernmost Newfoundland , then worked his way southeast along the coast until he reached the Avalon Peninsula , at which point he began the journey home. Cabot led a fearful crew, with reports suggesting they never ventured more than a crossbow’s shot into the land. They saw two running figures in the woods that might have been human or animal and brought back an unstrung bow “painted with brazil,” suggesting it was decorated with red ochre by the Beothuk of Newfoundland or the Innu of Labrador. He also brought back a snare for capturing game and a needle for making nets. Cabot thought (wrongly) there might be tilled lands, written in Say’s letter as tierras labradas , which may have been the source of the name for Labrador. Say also said it was certain the land Cabot coasted was Brasil, a fabled island thought to exist somewhere west of Ireland.

Others who heard about Cabot’s voyage suggested he saw two islands, a misconception possibly resulting from the deep indentations of Newfoundland’s Conception and Trinity Bays, and arrived at the coast of East Asia. Some believed he had reached another fabled island, the Isle of Seven Cities, thought to exist in the Atlantic.

There were also reports Cabot had found an enormous new fishery. In December 1497, the Milanese ambassador to England reported hearing Cabot assert the sea was “swarming with fish, which can be taken not only with the net, but in baskets let down with a stone.” The fish of course were cod , and their abundance on the Grand Banks later laid the foundation for Newfoundland’s fishing industry.

Third Voyage (1498)

Henry VII rewarded Cabot with a royal pension on December 1497 and a renewed letters patent in February 1498 that gave him additional rights to help mount the next voyage. The additional rights included the ability to charter up to six ships as large as 200 tons. The voyage was again supposed to be mounted at Cabot’s expense, although the king personally invested in one participating ship. Despite reports from the 1497 voyage of masses of fish, no preparations were made to harvest them.

A flotilla of probably five ships sailed in early May. What became of it remains a mystery. Historians long presumed, based on a flawed account by the chronicler Polydore Vergil, that all the ships were lost, but at least one must have returned. A map made by Spanish cartographer Juan de la Cosa in 1500 — one of the earliest European maps to incorporate the Americas — included details of the coastline with English place names, flags and the notation “the sea discovered by the English.” The map suggests Cabot’s voyage ventured perhaps as far south as modern New England and Long Island.

Cabot’s royal pension did continue to be paid until 1499, but if he was lost on the 1498 voyage, it may only have been collected in his absence by one of his sons, or his widow, Mattea.

Despite being so poorly documented, Cabot’s 1497 voyage became the basis of English claims to North America. At the time, the westward voyages of exploration out of Bristol between 1496 and about 1506, as well as one by Sebastian Cabot around 1508, were probably considered failures. Their purpose was to secure trade opportunities with Asia, not new fishing grounds, which not even Cabot was interested in, despite praising the teeming schools. Instead of trade with Asia, Cabot and his Bristol successors found an enormous land mass blocking the way and no obvious source of wealth.

• Newfoundland and Labrador

Further Reading

Douglas Hunter, The Race to the New World: Christopher Columbus, John Cabot and a Lost History of Discovery (2012).

External Links

Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador A biography of John Cabot from this site sponsored by Memorial University.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography An account of John Cabot’s life from the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.

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Giovanni da verrazzano, jacques cartier.

Sir Humphrey Gilbert: Elizabethan Explorer

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The Voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot

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Discovering North America

Historians have debated the voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot who first discovered North America under the reign of Henry VII. The primary question was who [John or Sebastian] was responsible for the successful discovery . A 1516 account stated Sebastian Cabot sailed from Bristol  to Cathay, in the service of Henry VII; environmental hardships had compelled Sebastian to travel to lower latitudes that led to the subsequent discovery of eastern North America. Still, early writers did not provide sufficient details of the expedition creating a number of discrepancies that undermine its validity.

In 1582, Richard Hakluyt printed letters that were granted on March 5, 1496 on behalf of King Henry VII to John Cabot that asked him to discover unknown lands in an effort to annex them for the Crown and monopolize English trade. This account, in contrast, indicated that John Cabot actually led the journey with his son Sebastian as his subordinate. Despite these opposing sources, it was not until the 19th century that historians began rejecting Sebastian as the primary discoverer of North America largely due to Richard Biddle who had published a Memoir of Sebastian Cabot in 1831. This memoir collated the sixteenth century writers with documents asserting Sebastian’s father, John Cabot, was merely a sleeping partner and an elderly merchant who did not go to sea—rendering Sebastian as the leader of the journey. Eventually, important documents emerged from unexamined archives of European states that almost irrefutably debunked Sebastian as the captain...

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Colonial History of the United States

John Cabot's Voyage

John Cabot's voyage to the coast of North America under the commission of Henry VII of England is the earliest-known European exploration of coastal North America since the Norse visits to Vinland in the eleventh century.

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John Cabot's Voyage of 1498

Henry VII's northern Columbus returned to Bristol on 6 August 1497. Cabot and everyone else thought that a new, shorter route to Asia had been found. No silks and spices, but these could not be far away - and it was known that Columbus himself had not yet found anything of great commercial value.

So Cabot became a hero: "... he is called the Great Admiral and vast honour is paid to him", wrote Lorenzo Pasqualigo, a Venetian living in London, "and he goes dressed in silk, and these English run after him like mad ...."

Henry VII granted £10 "to hym that founde the new isle", and later a pension of £20 a year. These were lavish rewards in a time when houses could be rented for £2 a year. In February 1498, Henry granted Cabot his second letters patent. He was authorized to take six ships, and go to the "londe and iles of late founde by the seid John".

1498 Voyage a Puzzle

In May 1498 Cabot set sail with a fleet of five vessels - a significant advance over the previous year.

This voyage is one of history's puzzles. We know the fleet sailed, that one ship returned damaged after a storm, and that John Cabot disappears from the historical record. Everything else is speculation.

It seems likely that some of the vessels retraced the 1497 route, explored the area in more detail, and returned to England with more geographical knowledge.

It has also been assumed that Cabot died during the voyage. One tradition asserts that he was shipwrecked not far from Grates Cove, where he got ashore with his son Sancio and some of the crew. There they died, either by starvation or at the hands of Beothuk Indians. The Grates Cove Rock story is associated with this tradition.

New Evidence

However, recent research suggests that Cabot returned to England in the spring of 1500 and died there four months later. The late Alwyn Rudduck claimed to have found evidence that Cabot spent two years exploring North America's eastern coast before he returned to Europe. Unfortunately, Ruddock died before anything was published and she left instructions that her research notes were to be destroyed. Researchers at Bristol University have investigated her claim, and think that they have located "evidence that supports the notion that John Cabot's expedition returned to England in the spring of 1500" (Jones, In press).

Whatever Cabot's fate, his 1498 voyage demonstrated that he had not found an easy and profitable route to Asia. He had found codfish and trees, but not the great cities which could provide wealth and power. What he and Columbus had found, it was becoming clear, was a new continent which stood between Europe and Asia. This was a considerable disappointment to those who had backed Cabot's voyages.

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Pre-Revolution Timeline - The 1400s

A decade when the men who discovered the New World began the exploration and colonization of the Americas, even if they weren't the firsts they thought they were.

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Above: Explorer John Cabot. Image courtesy Wikipedia Commons. Right: Painting Christopher Columbus taking possession of San Salvador, Watling Island by L Prang and Co., 1893. Images courtesy Library of Congress.

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1498 Detail

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1498 - Detail

May 1498 - cabot undertakes another voyage to the new world under his english papers. it is unknown whether cabot returned from this voyage and various reports state that his ships were lost at sea. recent research suggests a second theory, that his ships did return to england after a two year exploration of the coastline of canada and the united states, even down into the spanish claimed territories of columbus in the caribbean..

With Cabot's second journey to the New World proving more sucessful than the first voyage in 1496 , it should come as no surprise that the explorer would be commissioned by the English King Henry VII to take a third. He had traveled to London to meet with the King after his arrival back from the 1497 second voyage on August 6. Four days later, on August 10, 1497, Cabot was given a L10 reward, equal to several years pay for a craftsman of the time. Cabot was convinced that he had found a shorter route to Asia, and that the silks and spices that he had not located yet, would not be far away. Several months would pass, however, before a third voyage could be planned. There was concern about the King's standing on the throne with an uprising in Cornish, but once that scuffle had been settled, Cabot was again on the agenda. By September 26, King Henry VII gave him an additional L2, then in December was awarded a pension, L20 per year, that suggested he was at the beckon of the King for additional tasks. Papers for the third journey were awarded on February 3, 1498.

Letters of patent for cabot's third journey, 1498, five ships under john cabot left bristol in may 1498. accompanying him, through various records, were lancelot thirkill, thomas bradley and john cair, as well as three hundred other men and goods to trade. by july, it was reported problems with one ship off the coast of ireland. the expedition continued with four. there are reports that his intent was to go south into the tropics upon reaching the new world. and this is where it becomes hazy. there is no evidence of what giovanni cabot did on the expedition and no true evidence that he returned. by september of 1498, there had been no reports about the expedition or a return. the only evidence of a possible return was a record of lancelot thirkill living in london in 1501, but it is possible that thirkill did not make the journey in the first place. some historians note, including alwyn ruddock, that giovanni cabot did return in 1500 after a two year journey, traveling to the chesapeake bay and possibly to the caribbean islands where columbus was setting up his spanish colonies. this work is based on maps by cartographer juan de la casa. additional work to substantiate ruddock's claims are ongoing. we just don't know which version of the truth is accurate, whether cabot's four ships were lost at sea, or whether he returned. photo above: montage of two images, (left) john cabot and sons receiving patent in 1496 for voyages from king henry vii, 1910, denis william eden. courtesy parliament.uk via wikipedia commons. (right) cabot tower, signal hall, st. john's, newfoundland, 2017. courtesy wikipedia commons. image below: discovery of north america engraving showing john and sebastian cabot, 1855, ballou's pictorial, volume 8, page 216. courtesy library of congress. info source: avalon project, documents in law, history, and diplomacy, yale law school, the federal and state constitutions colonial charters, and other organic laws of the states, territories, and colonies now or heretofore forming the united states of america, compiled and edited under the act of congress of june 30, 1906 by francis newton thorpe, washington, dc : government printing office, 1909; the cabot voyages and bristol discovery under henry vii, james a. williamson, 1962; cabot project, department of history, university of bristol; heritagenf.ca; john cabot database, johncabotdatabase.weebly.com; wikipedia commons..

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Columbus meeting with the Spanish Queen. Courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

Christopher Columbus, by Ridalfo Ghirlandaio, 1520. Courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

Replica of the ship Matthew of Bristol of John Cabot. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

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John Cabot’s Voyage of 1497

Founding of newfoundland and cape breton.

There is very little precise contemporary information about the 1497 voyage. If Cabot kept a log, or made maps of his journey, they have disappeared. What we have as evidence is scanty: a few maps from the first part of the 16th century which appear to contain information obtained from Cabot, and some letters from non-participants reporting second-hand on what had occurred. As a result, there are many conflicting theories and opinions about what actually happened.

Cabot’s ship was named the Matthew , almost certainly after his wife Mattea. It was a navicula , meaning a relatively small vessel, of 50 toneles – able to carry 50 tons of wine or other cargo. It was decked, with a high sterncastle and three masts. The two forward masts carried square mainsails to propel the vessel forward. The rear mast was rigged with a lateen sail running in the same direction as the keel, which helped the vessel sail into the wind.

There were about 20 people on board. Cabot, a Genoese barber(surgeon), a Burgundian, two Bristol merchants, and Bristol sailors. Whether any of Cabot’s sons were members of the crew cannot be verified.

The Matthew left Bristol sometime in May, 1497. Some scholars think it was early in the month, others towards the end. It is generally agreed that he would have sailed down the Bristol Channel, across to Ireland, and then north along the west coast of Ireland before turning out to sea.

But how far north did he go? Again, it is impossible to be certain. All one can say is that Cabot’s point of departure was somewhere between 51 and 54 degrees north latitude, with most modern scholars favouring a northerly location.

The next point of debate is how far Cabot might have drifted to the south during his crossing. Some scholars have argued that ocean currents and magnetic variations affecting his compass could have pulled Cabot far off course. Others think that Cabot could have held approximately to his latitude. In any event, some 35 days after leaving Bristol he sighted land, probably on 24 June. Where was the landfall?

Cabot was back in Bristol on 6 August, after a 15 day return crossing. This means that he explored the region for about a month.

Newfoundland Joining Canada

Newfoundland resisted joining Canada and was an independent dominion in the early 20th century. Fishing was always the dominant industry, but the economy collapsed in the Great Depression of the 1930s and the people voluntarily relinquished their independence to become a British colony again. Prosperity and self-confidence returned during the Second World War, and after intense debate the people voted to join Canada in 1949.

The “golden era” came in the early 20th century however the sudden collapse of the cod fishing industry was a terrific blow in the 1990s. The historic cultural and political tensions between British Protestants and Irish Catholics faded, and a new spirit of a unified Newfoundland identity has recently emerged through songs and popular culture.

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Which Route Did The Explorer John Cabot Take During His First Voyage To The New World?

Published: December 15, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Shayla Forrester

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Introduction

John Cabot, an Italian explorer, is often credited with being the first European to reach the North American continent since the Vikings. His first voyage, which took place in the late 15th century, was a significant moment in the age of exploration. The journey was not only a daring adventure but also a pivotal event that laid the foundation for future exploration and colonization.

Cabot’s expedition, sanctioned by King Henry VII of England, aimed to find a new trade route to Asia by sailing westward. Though he did not reach his intended destination, his journey had a lasting impact on European exploration of the New World.

In this article, we will delve into the details of John Cabot’s first voyage, exploring the route he took, the challenges he faced, and the significance of his journey in shaping the course of history. Join us as we trace the steps of this intrepid explorer and unravel the mysteries of his remarkable expedition.

Background of John Cabot

John Cabot, also known as Giovanni Caboto in Italian, was born in Genoa, Italy, around the year 1450. While not much is known about his early life, it is believed that he came from a family of merchants and had a keen interest in exploration from a young age. Inspired by the tales of Christopher Columbus and other explorers, Cabot set his sights on venturing into the unknown.

In 1484, John Cabot relocated to the bustling port city of Bristol, England, where he established himself as a merchant. Bristol was a vibrant hub of maritime activity at the time, attracting adventurous souls seeking fortune and new opportunities.

Cabot’s move to Bristol proved fortuitous, as it was here that he found financial support for his ambitious exploration plans. He pitched his idea of finding a shorter trade route to Asia by sailing westward, hoping to secure the patronage of King Henry VII. Eventually, after several years of apparent persuasion, Cabot gained the support and sponsorship of the English monarchy.

It is worth noting that during this period, European powers were racing to establish lucrative trade routes to the wealthy lands of the East. Portugal had already made significant progress in this regard through the voyages of Vasco da Gama and other explorers. The English monarchs were eager to join the race and secure their own slice of the profitable trade routes.

Equipped with his knowledge of navigation and his vision of discovering new lands, John Cabot was ready to embark on his great adventure. Little did he know that his journey would forever change the course of history and mark the beginning of European exploration of the New World.

The Context of Exploration during Cabot’s Time

John Cabot’s first voyage took place during a fascinating period of exploration and discovery. In the late 15th century, European nations were eagerly seeking new trade routes and territories to expand their wealth and influence. The spirit of exploration was fueled by the desire to find alternative routes to the lucrative markets of Asia, bypassing the established trade routes controlled by the Ottoman Empire.

Portugal had already made great strides in exploration, with the successful voyages of explorers like Bartolomeu Dias, who rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and Vasco da Gama, who reached India by sea. The Portuguese dominance over the African route to Asia had the other European powers, including England, feeling left behind and desperate to find their own route.

This context of intense competition and the quest for geographical discovery set the stage for John Cabot’s ambitious journey. His aim was to find a direct westward route to Asia, which would potentially give England a significant edge in the race for trade dominance.

Another crucial factor driving exploration during Cabot’s time was the prevalent belief in the existence of a northwest passage – a navigable route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Americas. European explorers were captivated by the idea of a shortcut to Asia, and many hoped that such a passage would be discovered along the North American coastline.

The discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1492 further ignited the aspirations of explorers. Suddenly, there was a newfound veracity to the belief that uncharted lands and potential riches awaited those daring enough to venture across the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Against this backdrop of fierce competition, desire for trade dominance, and a sense of unexplored possibilities, John Cabot’s expedition promised the potential for great wealth, fame, and the realization of centuries-old dreams of discovering new lands and routes to the East.

The First Voyage of John Cabot

The first voyage of John Cabot, undertaken in 1497, was a pivotal moment in the history of exploration. It marked the beginning of English exploration of the North American continent and set the stage for future voyages and discoveries.

Preparations for Cabot’s expedition began months in advance. With the sponsorship of King Henry VII, Cabot assembled a crew and procured a small ship, the Matthew. The vessel, measuring approximately 20 meters in length, was sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of the Atlantic crossing.

Cabot’s expedition departed from the port of Bristol, England, in May 1497. Accompanied by a crew of around 20 men, he set sail with the hope of reaching Asia by sailing westward. However, the exact route that Cabot took during his first voyage remains a subject of debate among historians.

Some historians believe that Cabot sailed a northerly route, crossing the Atlantic and making landfall in what is now Newfoundland, Canada. Others suggest that he may have charted a more southerly course, arriving somewhere along the coast of modern-day Maine or New England.

Regardless of the route he took, Cabot’s landing on the North American continent was a momentous occasion. He and his crew became the first Europeans to set foot on the mainland of North America since the Vikings. This achievement placed Cabot in the annals of history and provided England with a significant claim to the New World.

During his time on land, Cabot encountered indigenous peoples who had long inhabited the region. These interactions likely shaped his understanding of the land and its inhabitants. Cabot also made observations of the rich resources and potential for trade that the New World offered.

After spending a short time exploring the coast and making contact with the locals, Cabot and his crew reluctantly returned to the ship. They set sail for their homeward journey, laden with stories of their remarkable discoveries and the promise of new opportunities.

John Cabot’s first voyage may not have led to the discovery of a direct route to Asia, but it was a significant step in European exploration of the Americas. The voyage laid the groundwork for subsequent expeditions and established England as a player in the race for the riches and territories of the New World.

Preparations for the Journey

Before embarking on his first voyage, John Cabot had to make thorough preparations to ensure the success and safety of the expedition. With the support of King Henry VII of England, Cabot assembled a crew and meticulously planned every aspect of the journey.

One of the key aspects of the preparations was assembling a skilled and capable crew. Cabot sought experienced sailors and navigators who were familiar with long-distance voyages. He aimed to gather a team that could endure the challenges of the unknown and navigate through treacherous waters. The crew consisted of around 20 men, including sailors, navigators, and possibly interpreters to help with potential encounters with indigenous peoples.

Another crucial element of the preparations was securing a suitable ship. Cabot chose a small vessel known as the Matthew for his voyage. The ship, measuring around 20 meters in length, was sturdy enough to withstand the rough seas of the Atlantic Ocean. It was also equipped with essentials such as food supplies, water, and navigational instruments necessary for the journey.

In addition to the crew and the ship, Cabot had to plan the provisions for the expedition. He made sure to stock up on food and supplies that would be sufficient for the duration of the voyage. This included dried and preserved goods such as salted meat, hardtack biscuits, and barrels of fresh water. The crew also likely brought tools and equipment required for exploration and potential settlement.

Navigation was a crucial component of the preparations as well. Cabot would have studied navigational charts and consulted with experienced navigators to determine the best route for his westward journey. While the exact methods and instruments used for navigation during Cabot’s time are not well-documented, it is believed that tools such as the astrolabe and magnetic compass would have been employed.

Lastly, Cabot and his team likely underwent intensive training and preparation to ensure they were physically and mentally ready for the journey ahead. This would have involved honing their sailing skills, familiarizing themselves with the ship and its equipment, and learning about the potential dangers they might face on their voyage.

The meticulous preparations made by John Cabot and his team were crucial in ensuring the success and safety of their first voyage. These efforts reflect the magnitude of the undertaking and the determination of Cabot to make his mark in history through exploration and discovery.

Departure from Bristol

The departure of John Cabot’s expedition from the port of Bristol was a moment of anticipation and excitement. After months of preparations, the crew of the Matthew stood ready to embark on their historic journey. The departure from Bristol marked the beginning of their quest to find a new trade route to Asia and potentially discover new lands along the way.

It is believed that John Cabot and his crew set sail from Bristol in May 1497. The port of Bristol was a bustling hub of maritime activity at the time, known for its seafaring traditions and adventurous spirit. As the ship departed, the people gathered on the shores bid farewell to the explorers, wishing them safe travels and success in their quest.

The departure was not without its challenges. The journey across the Atlantic Ocean in the late 15th century was a perilous undertaking. The crew of the Matthew would have had to endure the unpredictable and often harsh conditions of the open sea. Storms, strong winds, and treacherous waves threatened their progress, making the voyage a test of their skill and resilience.

As the ship sailed further away from the shores of England, the crew must have experienced a mix of emotions – excitement for the adventures that lay ahead, concerns about the unknown, and a sense of duty to fulfill the expectations of King Henry VII. The voyage was not only a personal endeavor for Cabot but also a voyage undertaken in service to the crown and the aspirations of the English monarchy.

Departing from Bristol also meant leaving behind the familiar and venturing into the uncharted. The crew had to rely on each other’s expertise and collective knowledge to navigate the vast expanse of the Atlantic. They would have followed established navigational techniques of the time, using the stars, landmarks, and their navigational instruments to guide their way.

As the Matthew disappeared over the horizon, Bristol faded into the distance, and the crew fully embraced their journey into the unknown. They held onto their hopes and dreams of discovering new lands and forging a path to the riches of the East. Little did they know that their departure from Bristol would be the beginning of a significant chapter in the history of exploration.

Route and Navigation

The exact route taken by John Cabot during his first voyage remains a subject of debate among historians. However, it is widely believed that Cabot sailed a northerly route across the Atlantic, aiming to find a westward passage to Asia. His journey would ultimately lead him to the shores of North America.

Cabot likely set a course that took him westward from the coast of England, following the prevailing winds of the North Atlantic. This route would have allowed the crew to make the most efficient use of wind patterns and ocean currents, maximizing their progress towards their intended destination.

Navigation during Cabot’s time was not as advanced as it is today. The methods and instruments used for navigation relied heavily on the skills and experience of the sailors and navigators on board. Cabot and his crew would have used a variety of tools to determine their position and course.

One such instrument was the astrolabe, a device used for measuring the angle of celestial bodies above the horizon. By measuring the height of the North Star or other known stars, the crew could determine their latitude, providing them with valuable information for navigation.

The magnetic compass was another critical tool used for navigation. Although not as accurate as modern-day compasses, it provided a general indication of the ship’s heading. The crew would have constantly referred to the compass needle to ensure they were maintaining the desired course.

In addition to celestial navigation and magnetic compasses, Cabot and his crew would have relied on dead reckoning. This involved estimating their position based on their course, speed, and time, taking into account factors such as wind drift and currents. While not as precise as modern GPS technology, dead reckoning was a valuable method for navigating the open seas.

As Cabot’s expedition ventured further into the unknown, they would have made use of landmarks and natural features to aid their navigation. They would have looked for signs of land such as birds, floating debris, or changes in water temperature and color. These visual cues would have alerted them to the proximity of land and helped guide them towards their desired destination.

Despite the challenges of navigation during that time, Cabot’s determination and the skills of his crew allowed them to navigate the vast Atlantic and ultimately arrive at the shores of North America. Their journey paved the way for future explorations and opened the door to the European discovery and colonization of the New World.

Arrival in North America

After weeks of sailing across the vast Atlantic, John Cabot and his crew finally reached the shores of what is believed to be North America. Their arrival marked a significant moment in history, as they became the first Europeans to set foot on the mainland since the Vikings.

The exact location of Cabot’s landfall has been a subject of debate. Some historians argue that he made landfall in what is now Newfoundland, Canada, while others suggest a possible landing along the coast of modern-day Maine or New England. Regardless of the precise location, it is clear that Cabot had reached a new and unexplored part of the world.

The sight of the unfamiliar land must have filled Cabot and his crew with a mix of curiosity, excitement, and apprehension. They had sailed across the vast ocean with hopes of discovering a new trade route to Asia, and now they were faced with the realization that they had encountered something entirely unexpected.

The indigenous peoples they encountered on the shores of North America must have been a fascinating and bewildering sight for the European explorers. Cabot and his crew likely made efforts to establish communication and exchange with the locals, although the language barrier and cultural differences would have posed challenges.

The interactions with indigenous peoples during Cabot’s first voyage remain largely undocumented, leaving much to speculation. It is believed that Cabot and his crew observed the indigenous practices and way of life, noting the rich resources and potential for trade that the New World offered.

While Cabot’s stay on land would have been relatively short, his arrival in North America initiated a new chapter in history. It set the stage for further exploration, colonization, and the eventual establishment of European settlements throughout the continent. The significance of Cabot’s discovery cannot be overstated, as it opened the door to new possibilities, bringing Europe and the Americas into contact and forever altering the course of human history.

Interactions with Indigenous Peoples

During John Cabot’s first voyage to North America, he and his crew had the unique opportunity to interact with the indigenous peoples who inhabited the lands they encountered. These encounters were significant, as they marked the initial interactions between Europeans and the indigenous populations of the New World.

Given the limited documentation of Cabot’s interactions with indigenous peoples, much of what transpired during these encounters remains shrouded in uncertainty. However, it is likely that there was some form of communication and exchange, albeit challenging due to the language barrier and cultural differences.

The indigenous peoples Cabot and his crew encountered were likely members of various First Nations and Native American tribes, each with their own distinct languages, customs, and traditions. The encounters would have been a moment of mutual curiosity and intrigue, as both sides were confronted with the unfamiliar and the unknown.

It is possible that Cabot and his crew attempted to establish friendly relationships with the indigenous peoples, exchanging goods and gestures of goodwill. Given the purpose of their voyage, trade would have been a significant aspect of these interactions. The indigenous peoples may have offered furs, pelts, and other local resources, while the Europeans would have presented items such as beads, cloth, and tools.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that these early interactions were not without tension and misunderstandings. The cultural differences and lack of shared language may have created challenges in communication and establishing mutual understanding. Additionally, the arrival of European explorers and their subsequent impact on the indigenous societies would have had long-lasting repercussions.

The encounters between Cabot’s crew and the indigenous peoples of North America were a precursor to the larger patterns of European colonization that followed. These early interactions set the stage for future explorations, exploitation of resources, and, sadly, conflicts between the European settlers and indigenous populations.

While the details of John Cabot’s specific interactions with the indigenous peoples during his first voyage may be elusive, it is important to recognize the significance of these encounters. They represented an initial moment of cultural exchange, shaping the course of history and establishing the complex relationships that would characterize the centuries of European colonization in the New World.

Return Journey

After their exploration along the North American coast, John Cabot and his crew reluctantly departed from the unfamiliar shores and embarked on their return journey. The journey back to England was not without challenges, but it marked the completion of their historic voyage and set the stage for the dissemination of their discoveries upon their arrival.

The return journey faced many of the same perils and uncertainties as the initial voyage. The crew navigated treacherous waters, battled unpredictable weather conditions, and faced the constant threat of shipwrecks or encounters with hostile vessels. However, their experience and knowledge gained during the outward journey allowed them to navigate the challenges more effectively.

As they sailed back across the Atlantic, the crew carried with them stories of their remarkable discoveries. Their encounter with the New World instilled a sense of wonder and excitement within them. They had seen lands and peoples unlike anything they had ever known and brought back tales of rich resources and potential for trade.

Upon their return to Bristol, the crew of the Matthew was greeted with great anticipation and curiosity. Their successful voyage and firsthand accounts of the lands they had encountered sparked interest and speculation among the people of England.

Cabot’s return marked the beginning of a period of reflection and sharing of knowledge. He likely provided detailed reports to King Henry VII and other officials, documenting the locations he had visited, the peoples he had encountered, and the potential for future expeditions and trade opportunities in the New World.

The return journey also brought with it a sense of accomplishment and pride for Cabot and his crew. They had embarked on a daring voyage, driven by a spirit of exploration and a desire to find new trade routes. While they did not achieve their original goal of finding a westward passage to Asia, their discoveries ignited a newfound sense of possibility and set the stage for future exploration and colonization.

Ultimately, the return journey highlighted the significant impact of Cabot’s first voyage. The knowledge gained, the stories shared, and the reports submitted paved the way for future explorers and contributed to the larger narrative of European expansion into the New World. The return marked the end of Cabot’s initial voyage, but it ignited a flame of curiosity and ambition that would continue to shape the course of history for years to come.

Legacy and Impact of Cabot’s First Voyage

John Cabot’s first voyage to the New World left a lasting legacy and had a significant impact on the course of history. While his journey did not result in the discovery of a direct trade route to Asia, it laid the foundation for future exploration and colonization, leaving an indelible mark on European expansion into the Americas.

One of the key legacies of Cabot’s first voyage was the establishment of England’s claim to North America. His arrival on the continent and subsequent encounters with the indigenous peoples provided the English crown with a foundation upon which to build future territorial claims and colonial endeavors.

Cabot’s expedition also fueled the spirit of exploration within Europe. His reports and accounts of the lands he had seen ignited curiosity and excitement among other explorers, prompting further voyages of discovery and expanding European knowledge of the New World.

The impact of Cabot’s voyage extended beyond exploration. It played a crucial role in the geopolitical rivalries of the time. England’s desire to challenge the dominance of other European powers, such as Spain and Portugal, in the race for trade routes and colonization was further fueled by the successful return of Cabot’s expedition.

In terms of trade, Cabot’s voyage opened up new opportunities. Despite not finding a direct route to Asia, his encounter with the resources and potential for trade in the New World inspired future ventures. English merchants saw the economic potential and began to explore further, seeking profitable trade routes and creating networks that would shape global commerce in the centuries to come.

The initial voyage also paved the way for future English expeditions and ultimately led to the establishment of colonies along the eastern coast of North America. These settlements, including Jamestown and Plymouth, molded the course of English colonization and laid the foundation for the formation of what would become the United States of America.

The legacy of John Cabot’s first voyage also includes its impact on indigenous peoples. European contact and subsequent colonization would have lasting and often detrimental effects on the indigenous populations of the Americas. The encounters initiated by Cabot and his crew marked the beginning of a complex and often tragic chapter in the history of indigenous peoples, leading to displacement, conflicts, and the loss of their lands and cultures.

Despite these complexities and the mixed outcomes of European expansion, Cabot’s first voyage remains a significant milestone in the history of exploration and the shaping of the New World. It contributed to the broader narrative of European exploration and colonization, leaving a lasting impact on the course of history and the interconnectedness of the global community.

John Cabot’s first voyage to the New World in 1497 was a groundbreaking moment in the history of exploration. While seeking a new trade route to Asia, Cabot inadvertently discovered the North American continent, forever altering the trajectory of European expansion and laying the foundation for future explorations and colonization.

Cabot’s journey was not without challenges and uncertainties. From the preparations in Bristol to the departure into the vast Atlantic, the route to Asia remained elusive. However, his arrival in North America marked the beginning of a new era, fueling curiosity, trade ambitions, and European territorial claims.

The legacy of Cabot’s first voyage is far-reaching. It influenced the course of European exploration, inciting rivalries and inspiring further expeditions. It opened up new trade opportunities and contributed to the establishment of English colonies in the New World, forming the basis of what would become the United States of America.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the complexities and sometimes devastating consequences of European expansion on the indigenous populations of the Americas. While Cabot’s interactions with indigenous peoples were limited, they set in motion a period of cultural exchange, conflicts, and the tragic loss of lands and cultures.

John Cabot, an intrepid explorer, changed the course of history through his daring voyage. His first expedition exemplifies the spirit of exploration, the thirst for knowledge, and the drive for economic gain that characterized the Age of Discovery. Cabot’s journey opened up new horizons, shaping the interconnectedness of the world we live in today.

As we reflect on John Cabot’s first voyage, let us remember the complex narratives and legacies it entails. It serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding history from multiple perspectives and considering the profound impact of exploration and colonization on the indigenous peoples and diverse cultures of the New World.

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How many ships did John Cabot have?

He went on 2 voyages but it's unknown if he went on a third. And for all you people who are doing a project on him (like me) just say he went on two cause the third one was actually not a voyage it was a trip to visit a place that he passed but wanted to go back to on his first voyage.

John Cabot took 3 voyages in the late 1400's. He is credited with being the first explorer to search for a Northwest Passage across North America . He might have taken more voyages in his lifetime, but he disappeared around 1499.

John Cabot left for the New World twice ... but returned only once. He is presumed to have been lost at sea on his second voyage. (There is, however, some evidence to the contrary.)

• John Cabot made 2 voyages

John Cabot is well known for being an Italian navigator and explorer under the commission of King Henry VII of England. John Cabot only went on two expeditions in his lifetime.

He went on three voyages

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What are 8 questions about John Cabot?

What did john Cabot see? What was John Cabot most known for? Why is John Cabot important? Where did John Cabot get married? Where did John Cabot go to college? Where did John Cabot go to school? What were the three names of John Cabot's ships on his second voyage? What were the five names of John Cabot's ships on his second voyage?

What were the names of the ships that john Cabot sailed?

the Matthew bye

How many crew members did john Cabot have?

The names of his crew members are unknown because his voyage happened so long ago and there are probably not any documents surving today that tell the names of his crew members.

How would you describe the ships or other transportation used by john Cabot?

john cabot used a old wooden boat

What accomplishments did john cabot have?

John Cabot had many accomplishments. He invented the toaster stroodles. -Lizbeth Martens.

How many ships did John Cabot own?

john Cabot/Giovanni Cabot had 1 ship i think

What did John Cabot do to get ready for his journey?

john Cabot prepared his ships

Did all john Cabot's ships survive?

What did john cabot do to get ready for the journey.

Loaded his ships

How many kids dos john Cabot?

john cabot had eight children

How many men were on john Cabot's first exploration?

there were 15 Men with cabot

Who explored the new England coastline fo the Americas for England?

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Where did John Cabot go on his first voyage?

Table of Contents

• 1 Where did John Cabot go on his first voyage?
• 2 What was John Cabot hoping on his journey?
• 3 What did John Cabot find on his voyage?
• 4 What were the reasons why John Cabot explored?

After a first, aborted attempt, Cabot sailed out of Bristol on the small ship Matthew in May 1497, with a crew of 18 men. The expedition made landfall in North America on June 24; the exact location is disputed, but may have been southern Labrador, the island of Newfoundland or Cape Breton Island.

What was John Cabot hoping on his journey?

John Cabot (c. In May 1497, with the support of the English king Henry VII, Cabot sailed west from Bristol on the Matthew in the hope of finding a route to Asia. On 24 June, he sighted land and called it New-found-land. He believed it was Asia and claimed it for England.

Where did John Cabot believe landed?

He took possession of the land for the English king and later may have explored the present-day Cabot Strait, believing that he had reached the northeast coast of Asia, before returning to England.

Who was on John Cabot’s voyage?

There were about 20 people on board. Cabot, a Genoese barber(surgeon), a Burgundian, two Bristol merchants, and Bristol sailors. Whether any of Cabot’s sons were members of the crew cannot be verified. The Matthew left Bristol sometime in May, 1497.

What did John Cabot find on his voyage?

What were the reasons why john cabot explored.

Why did John Cabot sail to Canada?

How did John Cabot influence history?

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