My Name is Giovanni Caboto (A.K.A. John Cabot)
john cabot (c.1450 - c.1499)
ROLE:
ERA: 1400 - 1500 AD
Between 1400 and 1500 AD, North America was home to diverse Indigenous cultures, each adapting to their environments in unique ways. Fishermen from Europe began exploring the Grand Banks, leading to early interactions with coastal Indigenous tribes while groups from west-central Canada migrated southward, eventually forming the Apache and Navajo nations.
This period was marked by shifting Indigenous power structures, early European exploration, and the beginnings of cultural exchanges that would shape the continent's future.
role in canada's history:
In 1497 Cabot set sail from Bristol, England, aboard the ship Matthew. After weeks at sea, he reached land in late June, though the exact location remains debated—some suggest Newfoundland, while others propose Cape Bonavista or Labrador. He claimed the land for England, marking the foundation for future British claims in North America.
Following his return to England, Cabot prepared for a second voyage in 1498, this time with a larger fleet. However, the fate of this expedition remains uncertain. Some records suggest that his ships encountered storms, and Cabot may have perished at sea.
LEGACY:
His journey was crucial in shaping European exploration and territorial claims in the New World.