-
May 13, 1492
The Colombian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange was a massive exchange of agricultural goods, slaves, transmissible diseases, and ideas between the East and West. -
Oct 12, 1492
The Discover of the Americas
Christopher Columbus hadnt planned to land in the Americas,at first he was trying to get to India but went off course on accident. He disconvered a foriegn and beautiful land,with the "Indians" living on the land. With all the new foods and culture more expeditions to the New World to build trade networks and colonies and to convert the native peoples to become christians. -
Jun 7, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
After Columbus returned from America, both Spain and Portugal wanted to declare the new lands, forcing the pope to sort things out. Pope Alexander VI decided in 1493 that Spain owned all new states west of a line 100 leagues (about 300 miles) from the Cape Verde Islands. Portugal, wasn’t happy with this decision and the two nations approved the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. -
May 16, 1528
The Conquest of the Aztec and Inca Empires
After the New World was discovered, Spain knew that it was a valuable resource that should be used for their benefit. But the Empires of the Aztecs (in Mexico) and the Incas (in Peru), who would have to be overpowered in order to institute rule over the newly-discovered lands. Conquistadores under the orders of Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro did exactly that. Many centuries of Spanish enslavement and marginalization of New World natives began. -
The Mexican-American War
Mexico went to war with the United States in 1846 after a series of scuffles on the border. The Americans invaded Mexico on two fronts and captured Mexico City in May of 1848. -
The War of the Triple Alliance
The most devastating war ever fought in South America was the War of the Triple Alliance. It was Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil against Paraguay. When Uruguay was attacked by Brazil and Argentina in late 1864, Paraguay came to its relief and attacked Brazil. But for some odd reason Uruguay chose a different president, switched sides and fought against its former ally. Thousands were killed and betrayed, it took years to recover from the devistation. -
The Mexican Revolution
The revolution was successful in getting rid of Porfirio Diaz, and since the revolution no president has governed for longer than six years. The PRI (the Institutionalized Revolutionary Party) was one of the main factors of the revolution, and maintained the presidency from the time of the revolution. -
The War of the Pacific
In 1879, Chile and Bolivia went to war after spending decades bickering over a border dispute. After a few major battles at sea and on land, the Chileans were successful. By 1881 the Chilean army had captured Lima and by 1884 Bolivia signed a truce.The Peruvian and Bolivian nations were devastated, needing years to recover.
