Findings

Initially, King Henry VII of England sent John Cabot to sail westward as to find another route to Asia, but instead Cabot found North America.

John Cabot's first voyage took place in North America in 1497, as opposed to Asia. While in the foreign land, which he later claimed as Newfoundland for England, he and his men followed a trail that led them to a dead campfire and a carved and painted stick (meaning there were other people who inhabited the land, even if they did not have any contact with any of them). Cabot and his men departed from North America but reported of the resources they had found while in the foreign land. Cabot had noted of the tall trees that could be used for masts (an advantage for England during wars) and of the innumerable codfish in the foreign waters (lots of fish = lots of money for the English).

When Cabot and his men returned to England, the King was glad to hear of the profitable resources England could acquire. The King awarded Cabot with a cash bonus for his victorious expedition, and gave Cabot permission to follow up with a greater expedition.

Cabot embarked on a follow up voyage from Bristol to Newfoundland with five ships in 1498, but he never reached the land, or made it back home to England. His crew, including himself, and the ships were later declared lost at sea.