How he changed the world
James Cook was latecomer at the age of exploration, but still he made a mark on history, on the information at seas. Cook had used the latest technologies to chart his long voyages like New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, The Hawaiian Islands, and many more. In fact, many of his explorations ended up with natives first seeing a Western face.
Since Cook's navigation and exploration skills was off the charts, Cook |
Discovery of new zealand
A key figure to the history of New Zealand, Captain James Cook had mapped the coastlines of the coast so efficiently and precisely that all the remaining voyages of discovery (including his Second and Third voyage) had merely filled in that detail and correct minor errors.
Cook's first voyage contributed Europe with it's first significant intelligence of the Māori people. The experiences of Cook himself, and of others on the 'endeavor' are still sources that are valuable information of the Māori activity at the first contact of the Europeans. |
Finding out polynesia
Impacting the Hawaiian islands
Cook and his crew had first sailed from Oahu to Kauai in January 1778, to be met by Hawaiians on their canoes getting ready for war. Cook had learned to speak Tahitian before he visited the island, causing him to speak and understand the natives words, in return for peace, Cook had gave them gifts. Cook's boats had landed and anchored at the coast of Waimea bay; Kauai for 3 days.
Since Cook had traded metal with the islanders, he also traded guns and knifes made from metal to the Hawaiians, for pigs, fresh water, and some native plants. Before, the Hawaiians were all separated in 5 nations, King Kamehameha already being the greatest fighter had more weapons that the British gave, instead of Spears, Clubs, and knifes made from wood. By this, Kamehameha had took over and ruled all the islands, making his victory clear to history. |
"We got from our visitors, a quantity of cuddle-fish, for nails and pieces of iron." |