American Colonization

  • Jan 1, 1394

    Exploring Uncharted Areas

    Form 1394-1460, the Spanish were pushed to explore uncharted areas due to military and trade needs.
  • Oct 12, 1492

    Columbus sails to the Americas

    In August of 1492, Columbus sets off for a journey to India. However, on October 12, he hits the Carribean island San Salvador.
  • Jan 1, 1498

    South America

    On his third voyage, Christopher Columbus discovers South America.
  • Jan 1, 1513

    Florida

    Ponce de Leon discovers Florida and claims it for the Spanish.
  • Jan 1, 1517

    Spreading Christianity

    Soon the main goal became not fighting the Muslims, but spreading Christianity in a race to convert the Natives before the Muslims could.
  • Jan 1, 1517

    Protestant Reformation

    Martin Luther protested the Catholic Church in 1517, leading to a religious movement called the Protestant Reformation, which rebelled against the Catholic Church
  • Jan 1, 1534

    The Church of England

    King Henry the Eighth founded the Church of England, or the Angelican Church, after defying the Pope.
  • Jan 1, 1534

    Cartier and the St. Lawrence River

    Jacques Cartier sails along the St. Lawrence River and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
  • Jan 1, 1541

    The Mississippi River

    Hernando de Soto discovers the Mississippi River and claims it for Spain.
  • Jan 1, 1565

    The Founding of St. Augustine

  • The Spanish Armada

    Spain sends the Spanish Armada to England to overthrow Queen Elizabeth, but is defeated by England's smaller, faster naval fleet.
  • Jamestown Colony

    In 1607, 100 males colonists were sent to the Chesapeake Bay area, where they founded the first permanent English colony in the New World- Jamestown.
  • The first French Colony

    Jacques Cartier and Jean-Francois de la Rocque founded Quebec, near the St. Lawrence River
  • Hudson

    In 1609, Henry Hudson discovers the Hudson River.
  • Slavery Begins

    The first slaves are brought to Virginia and sold.
  • The Mayflower

    Pilgrims travel to the Americas and land at Plymouth on a ship named the Mayflower.
  • Delaware

    The Swedes conquer and colonize Delaware, only to be destroyed by the Dutch soon after
  • Edict of Nantes

    King Louis XIV of France revokes the Edict of Nantes, which prompts an exodus of Protestants from France