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Christopher Columbus, a sea captain for Spain, had the idea to sail west across the Atlantic in search of a trade route to Asia. Instead of reaching Asia, Columbus reached what he believed were the East Indies but actiually an island in the Caribbean.
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Many Native Americans were killed by disease brought over by the Europeans so colonists turned to the Africans for labor. Many colonists who needed cheap labor used Africans which increased the number of slaves brought over.
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When Cortes first met the Aztecs they were convinced he was a god wearing armor and welcomened him. Cortes hoped to take the Aztecs gold. Although he and his men were outnumbered, Cortes defeated the aztecs with better weapons, the help of various native groups, and disease.
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Pizarro and his army of about 200 met the Incan ruler, Atahualpa, and his army of about 30,000. The army was far from the king however, and the Spainards kidnapped Atahualpa and crushed the Incan force with weapons and horses. Afahualpa offered to fill a room with gold and twice with silver for his release, but he was still killed.
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More than 100 settlers arrived on the coast of Virginia and named their settlement Jamestown, in honor of their king. The settlers were more interested in finding gold than planting crops, and during the first few years many died of hunger, disease, or battles with the Native Americas. Things started to get better once the settlers planted crops and farmers discovered tobacco which became very profitable.
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A group known as the Pilgrims left England because they were persecuted for their religious beliefs. They founded England's second colony Plymouth.
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The French and Indian War was caused by a dispute between the English and the French. The dispute was caused by the two countries interfering with each other's land. This war is called the French and Indian War because the Native Americans helped both sides.
